Off The Radar Players Driving Small Schools
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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…
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Continue ReadingA 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.
Frankie Denvir Frankie Denvir 5'10" | PG Delaware Valley | 2024 State NJ | 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.
Essam Assaf Essam Assaf 6'1" | CG Elmwood Park | 2023 State NJ | 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 David Forzani David Forzani 5'10" | PG Elmwood Park | 2023 State NJ plays an equally important role in Elmwood Park’s fast start to the season.
Ermal Kuci Ermal Kuci 6'5" | SF Lodi | 2023 State NJ | 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.
Keanu Ray Keanu Ray 6'2" | SG Weehawken | 2023 State NJ | 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.
Jeremy Grospe Jeremy Grospe 5'10" | CG South River | 2023 State NJ | 5’9 “ | G | South River
South River is off to one of the best starts in program history behind forwards Lazaro Rodriguez Lazaro Rodriguez 6'4" | SF South River | 2023 State NJ , Roman Santos Roman Santos 6'5" | SF South River | 2023 State NJ 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 Alex Grospe Alex Grospe 5'10" | PG South River | 2025 State NJ 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.