2023 Backcourt Leaders To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The absolutely loaded NJ Class of 2023 seems to never run out of talent to cover or in our case, uncover. Today we take a look at several of these prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1269777' first='Ryan' last='Leskauskas']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ryan-leskauskas/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ryan-leskauskas/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;</strong>| 6'4” | G | Chatham</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top returning guards at a North Jersey public school, Leskauskas is a skilled player with the ball in his hands, especially as a bigger guard but also is a fantastic shooter who can get hot in a hurry and do damage to defenders who lay off him. He's also a capable slasher with a good first step to the basket. His top games as a junior were vs Union Catholic(27), Hillsborough(25) and Mendham(24).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sean Agard</strong>&nbsp;| 6'0” | G | Irvington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Agard had a breakout junior year in spite of Irvington's team struggles. He's a confident facilitator and ballhandler, has a quick first step to the rim, finishes well around in traffic and can also step back and score from beyond the arc. Hit for 20 numerous times. He had 31 vs Newark Tech and 24 vs Immaculate Conception. Agard was one of the big breakout players in NJ last year and will find his way into our rankings this coming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1400496' first='Josh' last='Michigan']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josh-michigan/"></a> </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josh-michigan/"></a>   </strong>| 6'4” | G | Brick Memorial<br>Michigan, along with Scranton bound big man <strong>Luke Braaten</strong> and his fellow 2023 guard <strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1466410' first='Brian' last='Starrett']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brian-starrett/"></a> </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brian-starrett/"></a>  </strong>powered Brick Memorial to a rock solid 20 win season last year. He's a scorer who has range well beyond the arc and his skillset to handle the ball and get to the rim matches his shooting ability. He's got a high basketball IQ. He hit Toms River South for 32, Middletown North for 28 and Jackson Memorial for 23 as top games. He will make a push for 1,000 points and is an All Shore candidate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1269887' first='Marc' last='Herasme']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/marc-herasme/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;</strong>| 5'11” | G&nbsp; |Don Bosco Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> Herasme's stats aren't going to jump off the page because Don Bosco Prep has an incredibly deep backcourt, but he's a good athlete, who has good handles and a nice first step. Herasme facilitate within their offensive set. He moves the ball well and knows his role within their system, staying in that lane. He had 12 vs Mater Dei and 10 vs Paramus Catholic last year. Herasme should get a host of interest as a senior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1206523' first='Jack' last='O'Leary']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jack-oleary/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jack-oleary/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;| 6'1” | G | Raritan 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>O'Leary had a breakout year for the Rockets and is poised for a better senior year as the leader of the program. He's a slasher who has a quick first step to the basket and can get to the bucket. He can handle the ball well and is a tough on-ball defender. His best performances saw him score 29 against Steinert, 22 against Holmdel team and dropped 24 on South River in states. He also had good outings vs Roselle and Ranney(14pts each night).  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->