Dual-Sport Athletes to Watch This Winter

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The new school year is coming ever closer as today marks the first day of August. Prospects from around the state are getting ready for the hoops season, but some players are preparing for another sport in either the fall or the winter. Here are the dual-sport athletes to watch this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1150466' first='Donovan' last='McKoy'], 6'6 SF St. Joseph Regional 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McKoy's collegiate future will be on the gridiron as he committed to Yale over the summer. The lanky 6'6 wing elevates for dunks above the rim and is not afraid of drawing contact around the basket. McKoy is more than just a slasher as he has a nice release on his jumper and can knock down jumpers from behind the arc. He skies for rebounds on both ends of the floor and has the athleticism to defend multiple positions on the floor. McKoy's combination of length, athleticism and talent will make him have a big senior season for the Green Knights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='933047' first='Jahmir' last='Smith'], 6'0 PG Holy Spirit 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith is a dynamic guard prospect to watch as he makes plays with the ball in his hands. The 6'0 guard has a good handle and a lightning-quick first step, which he uses to blow by his defender and finish around the rim. Smith has a nice touch on his floater and can make opponents pay for giving him space on the perimeter. He gets his teammates involved in the half court and uses his quick hands to get deflections on defense. Smith stars on the gridiron as well and will be a player to in 2022-23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1153969' first='Zach' last='Meeks'], 6'6 PF Red Bank Catholic</strong> <strong>2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meeks is a tight end and defensive end for the Caseys, but also mans the post. The 6'6 forward plays with good footwork in the paint and uses his strong frame to finish through contact. Meeks elevates nicely for dunks and sets good screens in the half court. He holds his ground on the defensive end and is tough to box out on both ends of the floor. Meeks is a physical forward prospect who gives it his all on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1153980' first='James' last='Vallillo'], 6'2 G/F Holmdel 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vallillo plays on the Hornets baseball team in the spring and does a variety of different things on the hardwood. The 6'2 wing moves well without the ball in his hands, freeing himself for open layups and jumpers in the half court. Vallillo can get to the basket off the bounce and does not mind drawing contact around the basket. He works hard on the boards at both ends of the floor and is an underrated passer. Vallillo is a hard-working prospect who has experience playing the five for Holmdel during his high school career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1389143' first='Griffin' last='Linstra'], 6'3 CG Manasquan 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linstra had a good summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2078590' first='Team' last='Rio'] University and is looking for it to transfer over into the soccer field and the hardwood. The 6'3 guard plays with poise as he is rarely phased by on-ball pressure and runs the offense effectively. Linstra knows how to get his teammates involved in the half court and has a good touch on his floater. He is a tough perimeter defender as he slides his feet well and makes it hard for opponents to get to their spot on the floor. Linstra is a gritty, two-way guard who will make plays at both ends of the floor for Manasquan this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Other Prospects to Watch:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1412104' first='Justin' last='Silva'], 6'0 SF Southern 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1150461' first='Sherif' last='Guinyard'], 6'6 SF St. Thomas Aquinas 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1017196' first='Zion' last='Fowler'], 5'11 PG St. Peter's Prep 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1153998' first='Luke' last='Billings'], 6'1 SG Robbinsville 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1153278' first='Nyreek' last='Clyburn'], 6'5 F Paterson Eastside 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->