2023 Recruits Set To Be Steals For The Next Level

Every year, players fall through the cracks. Deemed "an inch too short" or "A half a step too slow" by D-1 coaches. Many of these players then go on to stellar careers at D-2 programs. Jason Westrol from Manasquan is a fine example from the early 2000s. Westrol, deemed a step too slow, a pound too skinny by many D1 coaches, went on to become one of the best players that Bentley ever had and went on to a pro career in Europe.   Today we look at a handful of players who could end up as steals for the colleges which land them.   [player_tooltip player_id='992525' first='Terrell' last='Pitts']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/terrell-pitts/"></a><a></a> | 6'4” | G | Saint Thomas Aquinas   One of the key pieces to the puzzle for Middlesex County Champions STA last year, Pitts is a big guard, capable of scoring in bunches, who will be a key player on an absolutely loaded Trojans team this winter. A slasher who can break defenders down and has a great first step to the tin. He's also got the ability to pull up in transition. Good rebounder who had a solid junior season after transferring in from Bishop McDevitt(PA). He's given a commitment to PSAC member East Stroudsburg and is definitely in the "steal" category for ESU.   [player_tooltip player_id='1013072' first='Jalen' last='Pichardo']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jalen-pichardo/"></a><a></a> | 6'6′ | F | Saint Thomas Aquinas   A smooth shooting wing who held a major role on a very balanced GMC title team. He's got a strong build and uses that to his advantage to finish through traffic on his way to the rim. Good dribbling skills for a 6'6" wing and turned in a double-double almost every night. Pichardo has a host of D-2 interest and offers, though his ceiling certainly seems higher...Especially after playing the FIBA U17s this summer. More interest and offers should pile up in his senior year. Some college coach is going to get a very good player who can contribute early.   [player_tooltip player_id='1150263' first='Evan' last='Cabral']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/evan-cabral/"></a><a></a> <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/evan-cabral/"></a> | 6'2” | G | Don Bosco 2023   A tough guard who works hard at both ends of the floor. Cabral plays more of a secondary role, moving the ball around the floor for the Ironmen but can score when called upon. He's got a strong frame and can hit the rim through defenders. He's solid getting out on the break but can also operate in the half court. His top games as a junior were vs Ramapo(22) and Seton Hall Prep(22). He's an All-County type player who is going to be asked to provide the steadying hand for an explosive, guard heavy, Don Bosco roster this winter. A scholarship level guard being slept on.   [player_tooltip player_id='1013071' first='Christian' last='Pierre-Louis']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/christian-pierre-louis/"></a><a></a> <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/christian-pierre-louis/"></a> | 6'2” | G | Roselle Catholic   We have said many times that CPL is most under-rated, highly rated player in New Jersey. He's a fundamentally sound player but is often times overshadowed by the high profile recruits at RC around him. An old school Union County guard...CPL is a tough lefty who attacks the rim strong. He very well may be the best on ball defender in the entire state, at any class. Someone is going to get an absolute STEAL in CPL, which we have said earlier this year. That hasn't changed. UMKC and UC Santa Barbara have offered--We're still curious as to what NEC, America East, MAAC, MEAC, SWAC etc coaches are looking for, because kids like this win you games at the next level because they do the little things right--He's also at a power program, plays better competition in practice every day than 99.9% of HS players see in games and holds his own every night against RC's brutal schedule.   [player_tooltip player_id='1400500' first='Tarik' last='Bicic']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tarik-bicic/"></a><a></a> <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tarik-bicic/"></a><a></a>  | 6'5” | G | Rutherford   Bicic is the top player in the NJIC and one of the best players in the state that not many folks know because he plays for the solid team at Rutherford High and not a more "high visibility" program. One of the top returnees at a Bergen County public school, Bicic paced the Bulldogs to a 22 win season as a junior. A guard with a very high basketball IQ who has a broad skillset. He's a multi-level scorer who can beat defenders off the bounce, create his own shot and finish at the rim. He's got scholarship interest and his stats from his junior year were fantastic: 400+pts, 200 boards and 200 assists. Bicic is the type of guard who should be in consideration as an all-county player and should be in contention for first team All State honors within his classification. Felician has offered and it will be interesting to see if anyone follows his hometown school in offering--if not, Felician could, if he attends there, get the steal of the year in NJ Hoops.

Every year, players fall through the cracks. Deemed "an inch too short" or "A half a step too slow" by D-1 coaches. Many of these players then go on to stellar careers at D-2 programs. Jason Westrol from Manasquan is a fine example from the early 2000s. Westrol, deemed a step too slow, a pound too skinny by many D1 coaches, went on to become one of the best players that Bentley ever had and went on to a pro career in Europe.