Under The Radar 2023 Guards
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Throughout each recruiting cycle, players are slept on. Every year, a college coach misses one. The offer that isn’t tabled. A player deemed “A step too slow”….”An inch too short”….”Competition is suspect.”…There are many who come to mind over my…
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Continue ReadingThroughout each recruiting cycle, players are slept on. Every year, a college coach misses one. The offer that isn’t tabled. A player deemed “A step too slow”….”An inch too short”….”Competition is suspect.”…There are many who come to mind over my time in NJ Basketball. Jason Westrol from Manasquan. Gage Daye and Frank Rokins from Saint Mary’s in Elizabeth. All three were slept on–Too skinny. Not tall enough to play the 4. Small School players. On and on…Who went off and had stellar careers for the college programs who rolled the dice on them and left the coaches who didn’t make the move scratching their heads about what they did wrong. Westrol and Daye were scoring machines at Bentley and Bloomfield. Rokins went through Essex County to West Chester, where he had a banner career, including banging up Drexel in a contest, confirming what everyone in the Colletti Crew on Broad Street knew.
Today, we look at a handful of players who have been having excellent high school careers and big summers on the AAU scene that aren’t necessarily getting as much respect and consideration as they should from coaches at the next level.
Sebastian Robinson Sebastian Robinson 6'2" | CG Roselle Catholic | 2023 State NJ | 6’3” | G | Elizabeth
A can’t miss kid who was an all state selection as a junior, leading Elizabeth High to the Group IV State Title….
So…Under the Radar? How? He’s near our top ten, right? Colleges seem to be asleep at the wheel on this one, that’s why…
He’s a dominating player at both ends of the court. He’s got a brilliant mind for the game and shows it on the court. He’s a confident player who explodes at the paint with his strong frame and quick first step, can brush off full court pressure and has excellent court vision. He works his behind off on defense and will be a valuable addition to whatever program lands him. They’ll be expected to add another Group IV trophy on Pearl Street this winter and Robinson will drive that bus. He had 28 vs Roselle Catholic and Westfield and 29 vs Linden as top games last year.
Isaiah Fuller Isaiah Fuller 5'11" | PG Roselle | 2023 State NJ | 5’11” | G | Roselle
Fuller came in from Eagle Academy with big goals and an injury derailed what would have been the marquee breakout season for the guard. He’s a confident player with solid ball handling skills. He leaves it on the floor every night, no matter if its for the Rams, AAU or High School showcases. He’s a very good facilitator and the lefty can light it up from deep. We saw him at the Johnson Regional showcase earlier in the summer and he had shaken off all the ring rust, running the point like it was the 4th quarter of the state final, hitting the floor, making the passes, banging the open looks. He’s going to be one of the top guards in a stacked Union County as a senior.
Tarik Bicic Tarik Bicic 6'5" | SG Rutherford | 2024 NY | 6’5” | G | Rutherford
Bicic was the unquestioned leader for a 22 win Rutherford team last winter. He’s a great ballhandler who is crafty around the rim and can also let it rip from beyond the arc. He’ll be the top player in the NJIC as a senior and certainly be in the mix for All Bergen County honors. He’s a balanced player who had over 400 points, 200 boards and 200 assists as a junior. His top games were 25 vs Plainfield, 20 vs Glen Rock and 18 vs St Marys.
Ryan Leskauskas Ryan Leskauskas 6'4" | SF Chatham | 2023 State NJ | 6’4” | G | Chatham
Leskauskas is a solid shooter who can also put the ball on the floor and is appears most comfortable attacking the rim and slicing through defenders along the way. A well oiled offensive player who also hustles on defense and cleans up the glass. Top games last year were 27 vs Union Catholic, 25 vs Hillsborough and 24 vs Mendham. Played AAU for the Jersey Shore Predators.
Josh Michigan Josh Michigan 6'4" | SG Compass Prep | 2024 State NJ | 6’4” | G | Brick Memorial
The most written about under-the-radar player in the Shore Conference. He had a great junior year and followed with a strong summer with the high profile Jersey Force AAU squad. Deep range beyond the arc, well beyond college level. He’s improving his game attacking the basket, can move the ball well and has a coachable basketball mind. He had several strong games last year, most notably vs Toms River South(32) and Middletown North(28). He’ll make a run at 1,000 pts and could push for First Team All Shore honors.
Michael Pirone Michael Pirone 6'2" | SG Oratory Prep | 2023 State NJ | 6’2”| G | Oratory
Oratory has awoken from its slumber as a sleeping giant in Union County and is rapidly on the rise. Pirone was a big reason why. He’s got a solid 200 lb frame and attacks the rim ferociously, outmuscling any defenders in his way. He can also pull up in the mid range and extend deep. He’s a well rounded offensive player. He dropped 38 on Governor Livingston, 34 on New Prov and 30 on Watchung Hills. Played well in states, including 19 vs St Joes of Montvale and 16 vs Bergen Catholic. He’ll cross 1,000 as a senior.