Stock Rising Union County 2023 Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most talent-laden counties in the entire country, Union County has a fantastic backcourt crop for 2023. These are some of the players who are in line for big senior years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1466415' first='Matt' last='Nervi']&nbsp; | 6'1” | G | Scotch Plains-Fanwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The go-to man in the backcourt for SPF last winter. Nervi has a high basketball IQ and a great understanding of how to be a scoring lead guard. His transition game is solid and he can also land jumpers in transition. Solid head fake that drives defenders crazy. Good facilitator that academic D3s should be salivating over. A coachable player. He had 24 vs Union Catholic and 21 vs Summit last winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chima Okeoma | 6'0” | G | Union Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A new arrival, one of several, for the Vikings. He heats up in a hurry and is at his best beyond the arc. He's a shooter first and foremost, but he's also capable of facilitating as a lead guard if called upon. His addition gives UC a very experienced leader in the backcourt to aid their younger players in their development. He had 33 vs Edison, 25 vs Linden and Westfield and 20 vs Roselle Catholic and Newark East Side. He should see a variety of college interest and it should grow playing at UC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1150546' first='Michael' last='Pirone'] | 6'2” | G | Oratory</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After losing a D-1 big man, Oratory continues its rise in Union County with a guard based lineup, lead by Pirone. He's a strong guard with a big frame who's a slasher and overpowers smaller guards as the gets to the rim. He's also a multi-level scorer who gets hot in a hurry. He had 38 vs Governor Livingston, 34 vs New Prov and 30 vs Watchung Hills. Solid games in states vs Delbarton(13), St Joe's Montvale(19) and Bergen Catholic(16). Should be a heavily recruited player as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gregory Jones | 6'0” | G | Oratory</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of two top returnees in the Oratory backcourt, Jones is a multi-faceted guard who can run the point as a lead guard but can also play the 2. He fearlessly attacks the rim and is a smooth operator. He can hurt you from deep if you don't guard him closely as well. He had 17 vs Roselle Catholic in the county tournament, 20 twice vs Scotch Plains and had 21 in states vs Delbarton. He's a player that academic schools should be very interested in—All D3s within 200mi of Summit should be crashing the party and regional D2s may want to watch as a senior—Think former Saint Mary's star Dontay Julius for playing style.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1013069' first='Malachi' last='Johnson'] | 6'0” | G | Union</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson is one of the top returning public school guards in the always tough Union County for 2023. A good ballhandler and solid shooter, especially from beyond the arc. He's a scorer first and foremost and gets to the basket with confidence. He had 19 vs Holmdel and 22 vs Union Catholic among his top games last winter. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->