Off The Radar Players Driving Small Schools

Alex Fydryszewski

January 3, 2023 @ 10:51 PM

A good portion of our attention at Prep Hoops NJ is focused on the power players, big schools and elite recruits--Rightfully so--but today we turn our focus to players who are driving small schools forward to fast starts to the 2022-2023 season and have been flying under the radar.     [player_tooltip player_id='1216351' first='Francis' last='Denvir'] | 5'8" | G | Delaware Valley 2024   Denvir is a crafty ballhandler who can drive through defenders and finish at the rim. He's a steady and improving shooter from the perimeter who has a neat follow through on his shot that can draw defenders in to committing fouls by contacting his foot. He's strong out the gate and has driven Delaware Valley to a 6-1 start, with only South Hunterdon keeping him under 20.   [player_tooltip player_id='1401553' first='Essam' last='Assaf'] | 6'0" | G | Elmwood Park 2023   A high scoring guard with a good basketball IQ, Assaf will go beyond 1,000 points--most likely in his next game. He's a guard at his best when he can put the ball on the floor in transition, but he's also a good shooter from deep. Only Paterson Charter has been able to contain him this year(9). His classmate [player_tooltip player_id='1658308' first='David' last='Forzani'] plays an equally important role in Elmwood Park's fast start to the season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1466412' first='Ermal' last='Kuci'] | 6'5” | F| Lodi   Perhaps the top forward in the NJIC, Kuci is a physical player who can handle the ball well for a forward and runs the floor well. He's also shown the ability to shoot pretty well at mid range. A tough rebounder. Lodi is 5-2 to start the year and he's doing heavy lifting at both ends. He's got two double-doubles and a season high of 16 vs Warwick(NY).   Anthony Pizzuti | 6'3" | F | Lyndhurst 2024   While he's featured more as a baseball player throughout his youth sports days, Pizzuti has shown himself to be a tough basketball player as well. He's a physical player who also is a rebounding force. He's averaging a double-double and had a season high of 27 vs Secaucus. Lyndhurst is 5-1 coming out of Christmas. 6'4" junior guard Matt Slaby has also contributed to the run thusfar.   [player_tooltip player_id='1456810' first='Keanu' last='Ray'] | 6'2” | G | Weehawken   Ray is at his best running the floor in transition and also is a slasher in the half court who finishes strong with both hands at the rim. Ray is a strong guard who gets through contact. He's off to a great start as a senior and has led Weehawken to a 4-2 start. He had 23 vs Hawthorne and 17 vs Lodi in the opener.   [player_tooltip player_id='1267925' first='Jeremy' last='Grospe'] <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jeremy-grospe/"></a> | 5'9 “ | G | South River   South River is off to one of the best starts in program history behind forwards [player_tooltip player_id='1269717' first='Lazaro' last='Rodriguez'], [player_tooltip player_id='1401568' first='Roman' last='Santos'] and Kobe Taylor, but it's Grospe driving the bus in the backcourt. His ballhandling skills are what provide the X-Factor in most situations. He is a well-rounded player with great vision as a facilitator and is a leader in their high tempo offense. He and his brother [player_tooltip player_id='1472517' first='Alex' last='Grospe'] are the spine of the team. He can also score the ball and lit up the scoreboard in a Christmas Tournament victory over Keansburg, going for 40. He only scored 9 against St. Joe's Metuchen, but facilitated well in that contest---His points---Were the difference. South River 74. St Joe's 66.

A good portion of our attention at Prep Hoops NJ is focused on the power players, big schools and elite recruits--Rightfully so--but today we turn our focus to players who are driving small schools forward to fast starts to the 2022-2023 season and have been flying under the radar.