2024 Prospects with Big Shoes to Fill

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The basketball season in the Garden State is right around the corner with tryouts starting in a couple of weeks. The junior class is ready to make an impact on the floor this season and players have some big shoes to fill this winter. Here are the 2024 prospects with big shoes to fill in 2023-24.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1153996' first='Jaden' last='Kelly'], 6'4 SG St. Thomas Aquinas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kelly was part of the Trojans' rotation last season but will see a big increase in his minutes in his junior campaign. The 6'4 guard has a smooth release on his jumper and he wastes little motion on his jumper. Kelly knows how to get to his spot on the floor and can finish around the basket. He moves well without the ball in his hands and has the length to defend multiple positions on the floor. Kelly will be the third guard in the guard trio of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1050395' first='Deuce' last='Jones']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1269732' first='Kamal' last='Lee']</strong>, which will help his game in a big way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jon Ismalji, 6'6 PG Gill St. Bernard's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights have to replace their entire starting lineup from last season, and they will rely upon Ismalji to run the offense. The 6'6 guard uses his size to see over his defender and makes good passes in the half court. Ismalji has a nice handle, which he uses to blow by his defender and knows how to finish around the basket. His length allows him to defend multiple positions on the court and is a solid rebounder. Ismalji makes plays with the ball in his hands and will be one to watch throughout the season for Gill St. Bernard's.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nico Pena, 6'0 PG St. Peter's Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pena will be running the offense for the Marauder's in 2022-23 as they look to make a deep run in the state tournament. The Xaverian transfer has a tight handle, which he uses to blow by his defender and can finish through contact around the basket. Pena is more than just a slasher as he has a nice release on his jumper and shoots the ball with confidence from deep. He gets his teammates involved in the half court and is an underrated defender. Pena will be making plays all season for St. Peter's Prep with his ability to score inside and out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1406989' first='Johnny' last='Kelly'], 6'7 F Rutgers Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kelly joins an Argonauts squad that returns four starters from last season's Non-Public A South winning squad. The 6'7 forward has a good face-up game as he can put the ball on the deck and knock down open jumpers from behind the arc. Kelly has a nice touch around the basket and is unafraid of drawing contact around the basket. He works hard on the glass at both ends of the floor and slides his feet on the defensive end. Kelly is a hard-working forward prospect who should put up good numbers for Rutgers Prep this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1407094' first='Shane' last='Sheehan'], 6'6 PF Westfield</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sheehan is primed for a breakout campaign for the Blue Devils as he should be the go-to guy for them down low. The 6'6 forward runs the floor hard, setting himself up for easy layups in transition. Sheehan has a good touch around the basket and can knock down open jumpers from the perimeter. He is tough to box out on both ends of the floor and holds his ground on the defensive end. Sheehan's ability to finish around the basket is something that will help his stock in a big way throughout 2022-23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->