Garden State Forwards to Track This Summer

The summer is approaching rapidly as the middle of May is already here. Prospects across the Garden State have gotten off to a strong start this spring, especially in the front court. Here are the New Jersey forwards to track…

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Aaron Bradshaw Aaron Bradshaw 7'0" | PF Camden | 2023 State #10 Nation NJ , 7’0 PF Camden 2023

Bradshaw’s AAU teammates Dajuan Wagner Jr Dajuan Wagner Jr 6'4" | PG Camden | 2023 State #1 Nation NJ and Mackenzie Mgbako Mackenzie Mgbako 6'8" | SF Roselle Catholic | 2023 State #5 Nation NJ are a dynamic duo on the perimeter, but watch out for Bradshaw down low. The lanky 7-footer runs the floor hard, creating easy dunks and layups for himself in transition. Bradshaw has a good faceup game as he can knock down jumpers on the perimeter and put the ball on the floor to get to the basket. He swats almost everything around the rim and skies for rebounds at both ends of the floor. Bradshaw is a talented, stretch-four prospect who should have a big summer for the NJ Scholars.

Tarik Watson Tarik Watson 6'7" | PF Hillcrest Prep | 2024 State #196 Nation AZ , 6’7 SF Roselle Catholic 2024

He and older brother Akil Watson Akil Watson 6'7" | SF Roselle Catholic | 2023 State #105 Nation NJ are in line for a strong summer with the New York Lightning. The younger Watson attacks the basket with a purpose as he finishes strong around the basket and can draw contact in the paint. He has an underrated handle and is capable of hitting open shots on the perimeter. Watson fights for rebounds on both ends of the floor and is capable of defending multiple positions on the floor. The Watson brothers have the potential for a big summer with their combination of size and athleticism.

Ladji Dembele Ladji Dembele 6'8" | PF St. Benedict's | 2023 State #192 Nation NJ , 6’9 PF St. Benedict’s Prep 2023

Dembele had a strong weekend at the KYDA Invitational for the NY Rens, which should translate into a big summer. The 6’9 forward finishes strong around the rim and knows how to get position down low. Dembele can also play on the perimeter as he can put the ball on the floor and hit shots from behind the arc. He influences a bunch of shots around the basket and is tough to box out on both ends of the floor. Dembele has the potential to have a breakout summer with ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor.

Terry Copeland Terry Copeland 6'8" | PF Legacy Early College | 2024 #130 Nation SC , 6’8 PF Bergen Catholic 2024

Copeland anchors the interior for the PSA Cardinals and has the potential to have a huge impact this summer. The 6’8 forward has a strong frame, which he uses to get position down low and finish through contact. Copeland is a great passer out of the post as he knows how to pass out of the double team and makes good outlet passes. He is tough to box out on both ends of the floor and holds his ground playing post defense. Copeland is a physical forward prospect who should have a big summer.

Geancarlo Peguero Geancarlo Peguero 6'5" | SF Gill St. Bernard's | 2023 NJ , 6’6 SF Gill St. Bernard’s 2023

Peguero is in line for a big summer with the Jersey Force with his ability to affect the game in a variety of ways. The 6’6 wing is a big-time athlete as he finishes with authority above the rim and has good body control around the basket. Peguero has a good handle, which he uses to beat his defender off the bounce and can knock down open jumpers from behind the arc. He has the athleticism to defend multiple positions and is an underrated passer. Peguero is an athletic wing prospect who has the potential to have a big summer.

Other Prospects to Watch:

David Munro David Munro 6'7" | PF College Achieve | 2025 State NJ , 6’7 PF Bergen Catholic 2025