Union County 2023’s On AAU Spring Circuit
After spending last week at the Shore, this week the focus turns North of the Raritan River and into one of the powerful hotbeds of basketball in the Garden State-Union County. While Union County hoops has lost some of its…
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Continue ReadingAfter spending last week at the Shore, this week the focus turns North of the Raritan River and into one of the powerful hotbeds of basketball in the Garden State-Union County. While Union County hoops has lost some of its pop with the closures of Saint Patrick’s, further explication of its successor, The Patrick School, from county play and the sudden shuttering of the always steady Saint Mary’s of Elizabeth, it’s still one of the best areas of the state for talent.
There are days where Dave Boff must take a seat with a cup of coffee and a roll at Pinho’s on Chestnut Street and pinch himself. The amount of talent that is now flowing through his program on nearby Raritan Road is on a level that was once reserved for Bob Hurley, Kevin Boyle and no-one else. Now, with the closures of many powerhouses such as Paterson Catholic, Saint Anthony’s, Queen of Peace, and others(Over 30 in my lifetime statewide) his program has become the “go to” for the elite talent in North Jersey—If Bob Hurley’s Saint Anthony’s was considered Juilliard for HS Hoops, then RC is Le Cordon Bleu. Today’s list is heavy on RC rising seniors, but also features the most electric public school player in the county.
Simeon Wilcher Simeon Wilcher 6'4" | PG Roselle Catholic | 2023 State #17 Nation NJ | 6’4” | G | Roselle Catholic
His overall game is elite-level and his skillset needs no introduction. He’s a leader at both ends of the floor, can score at all levels and is a primetime player. He led Roselle Catholic to the final quadruple in New Jersey history as a junior (Division, County, State and TOC). He scored 22 against top ranked Camden in the final. He plays AAU for NY Renaissance and is currently committed to North Carolina.
Sebastian Robinson Sebastian Robinson 6'2" | CG Roselle Catholic | 2023 State NJ | 6’2” | G | Elizabeth
It was just a matter of time before the combo guard exploded on the scene. There were glimpses in his first two years, including a very abbreviated sophomore year due to the pandemic. As a junior, Sebastian Robinson Sebastian Robinson 6'2" | CG Roselle Catholic | 2023 State NJ took off. A dominant force on both ends of the court. Robinson is a confident and smart guard capable of running the point and bringing the ball up against pressure, facilitating with superior passing skills—He’s an assist machine– and scoring at all levels. He also plays bigger than 6’2” on defense. Robinson led Elizabeth to the State Group IV Title and will form another menacing backcourt with the promising London Carson London Carson 6'4" | CG Elizabeth | 2024 State NJ for Phil Collichio next year on Pearl Street. His best performances, which were numerous, included an eye popping 28 points vs Roselle Catholic, the TOC winner; 28 against a rock-solid Westfield team and 29 against rivals Linden. Sky is the limit for him. Robinson is a bigtime D1 guard featuring for Team Rio .
Akil Watson Akil Watson 6'7" | SF Roselle Catholic | 2023 State #105 Nation NJ | 6’9” | F | Roselle Catholic
Watson showed flashes of brilliance in 2021-2022 after transferring in from another NJ powerhouse, Don Bosco Prep. Generally ranked among the top players in the Class of 2023 nationally, he uses his wide frame and speed to cause defenders fits. Excellent breaking down defenders off the dribble, which makes him even more imposing because of his height and wingspan. Led the team in rebounds as a junior and will be back as part of the frontrunners to win the treble in 2022-2023. He plays AAU for New Heights Lightning and has a laundry list of Power Conference offers.
Christian Pierre-Louis Christian Pierre-Louis 6'2" | SG Roselle Catholic | 2023 State NJ | 6’2” |G| Roselle Catholic
CPL may be the toughest defensive guard in the state. He plays way bigger than 6’2” and rebounds successfully against much taller and stronger players on a nightly basis. Considered by many to be the best rebounding guard in NJ, he also chips in when called upon offensively. He’s got solid ball handling skills and great court vision. He’s flying under the radar behind elite players as an unassuming character on a team loaded with elite recruits and will make an impact at the collegiate level because of his prioritization of defense, which many players lack these days. He plays AAU with the Jersey Force , who are rapidly becoming one of the hottest AAU programs in the Garden State and played a pivotal role in helping numerous players receive D1 and D2 offers in recent years. Under-rated, under-recruited.