More 2023 Guards to Watch

Alex Fydryszewski

November 2, 2022 @ 11:55 PM

We continue to showcase our fantastic depth in the New Jersey backcourt game today by focusing on another five college prospects who are set for big years and should be on the radar of coaches not just in the Garden State, but the eyes of college coaches from the entire Northeast and Rust Belt should be looking at these rugged Garden State guards as instant impact players at the next level.     [player_tooltip player_id='1150283' first='Nick' last='Valentino'] | 6'2” | G|  Red Bank Regional   Valentino had a massive year as a junior, scoring nearly 500 pts. He's a strong bodied, well built guard who can use his 200lb frame to finish at the basket and force his way through contact. A good shooter who has excellent form and a high release point on his jumper. He's got a high basketball IQ and could be a candidate for First Team All Shore as a senior. His top games as a junior were vs Keyport(26), Manasquan(22) and SJV(23,21).   Valentino recently committed to Kenyon in Ohio, showing that Jersey kids are in high demand across the Northeast and Rust Belt and that colleges can come to New Jersey from Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Upstate NY to find quality players who will take interest in their schools.   [player_tooltip player_id='1150546' first='Michael' last='Pirone']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/michael-pirone/"></a><a></a> | 6'2” | G | Oratory   After losing a D-1 big man in Tommy Conniff(Lehigh), Oratory continues its rise in Union County with a guard heavy lineup, lead by the physical Pirone. He's a strong bodied guard with a big, built frame who's a slasher and overpowers smaller guards as the gets to the rim. He's also a multi-level scorer who can hit from deep. 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--He's currently got interest from several D3s and that should only grow.   Gregory Jones | 6'0” | G | Oratory   One of two major returnees in the Oratory backcourt, Jones is a smooth guard who can run the point as a lead guard and facilitate but can also play the 2. He attacks the rim strongly. He can beat teams from from deep if you they give him an inch to get a look. 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 calling regularly and he, like many players from NJ, including all the players in this piece, could be a key addition to D3 schools in the PAC, AMCC and other conferences in Western PA, Ohio and Upstate NY.     [player_tooltip player_id='1401553' first='Essam' last='Assaf']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/essam-assaf/"></a><a></a> | 6'0” | G | Elmwood Park   An athletic and strong guard with a good basketball IQ, Assaf will go beyond 1,000 points early this season barring a major injury. He's a guard at this best when he can run out on the fast break, but he's also capable of moving the ball in the half court and is a good shooter from deep. He hit for 20+ nine times and should be sought after by D3 programs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1025355' first='Keith' last='Adame']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/keith-adame/"></a><a></a>  | G | Jackson Memorial 2023   Adame is one of three leaders in the backcourt for Jackson as they go into a big season for their program. He's an adeptballhandler who can get at the rim off the dribble and isn't afraid of playing through contact on his way to the rim. He's got the ability to score at multiple levels and is a tough on ball defender. He had 18 vs Southern and 17 vs Toms River South as top games as a junior.

We continue to showcase our fantastic depth in the New Jersey backcourt game today by focusing on another five college prospects who are set for big years and should be on the radar of coaches not just in the Garden State, but the eyes of college coaches from the entire Northeast and Rust Belt should be looking at these rugged Garden State guards as instant impact players at the next level.