Standouts of the Public Finals

The 2022-23 Garden State hoops season has come to a close as the Public State Finals concluded on Saturday at Jersey Mike’s Arena. Players put their talents on display as they looked to lead their teams to a title. Here are the standouts from the state Public Finals.

Jaheim Best Jaheim Best 5'10" | PG Paterson Eastside | 2023 State NJ , 5’10 PG Paterson Eastside 2023

Best ran the show for the Ghosts as he made plays for them on both ends throughout the game. The 5’10 guard used his handle effectively as he was able to beat his defender off the bounce and finish around the basket. Best ran the offense effectively as he got his teammates involved in the half and secured defensive rebounds for his team. He hustled back on defense to prevent easy layups and used his quick hands to generate deflections and turnovers. Best is a gritty lead guard prospect who was crucial to Paterson Eastside’s Group 4 Final win.

Darius Adams Darius Adams 6'4" | SG Manasquan | 2025 IN , 6’4 SG Manasquan 2025

Adams put on a show for the Warriors as he was unstoppable in the Group 2 Final. The 6’4 guard was able to get into the paint at will and finished nicely around the rim. Adams showed off his smooth shooting stroke on his jumper and made good passes to open teammates in both the halfcourt and transition. He snatched down rebounds at both ends of the floor and used his length to make plays on defense. Adams has been one of the top players in New Jersey this season and he showed why in the Group 2 Final.

Chris Cervino Chris Cervino 6'1" | PG Ramapo | 2024 State NJ , 5’9 PG Ramapo 2024

Cervino sparked the Raiders’ offense in the Group 3 Final as he had a game-high 19 points. The 5’9 guard buried four triples in the game as he showed off a good release on his jumper and set his feet before every shot. Cervino did more than just shoot as he finished nicely around the basket and moved well without the ball in his hands. He played tough defense throughout the game and dove on the floor for loose balls. Cervino is a tough guard prospect who helped Ramapo secured the Group 3 title.

JaBron Solomon JaBron Solomon 5'11" | PG Woodbury | 2023 State NJ , 5’9 PG Woodbury 2023

Solomon had a standout game for the Thundering Herd as he propelled them to a Group 1 title. The New Haven football commit was dynamic off the bounce as he was able to consistently get into the paint and finish around the rim. Solomon got to his spot on the floor throughout the game and made good decisions with the ball in his hands. He grabbed rebounds on the defensive end and played with great instincts on defense to get steals. Solomon did a little bit of everything for Woodbury as he helped them win the Group 1 title.

Jay-Nelly Reyes Jay-Nelly Reyes 6'2" | CG Egg Harbor | 2023 State NJ , 6’1 PG Egg Harbor 2023

Reyes had a big game for the Eagles on both ends of the floor in the Group 4 Final against Paterson Eastside. The 6’0 guard was a pest on defense as he used his quick hands to get steals. Reyes was aggressive attacking the basket as he was unafraid of drawing contact and finished nicely around the rim. He grabbed rebounds at both ends of the floor and was unafraid of pushing the pace in transition. Reyes is a two-way guard prospect who played with a non-stop motor for Egg Harbor throughout the season.

Other Prospects to Know:

Tyshawn Boyd, 6’4 SF Newark Tech 2026

Donte Alexander Donte Alexander 6'0" | CG Nottingham | 2024 State NJ , 6’0 G Nottingham 2024

Rocco Checchetto Rocco Checchetto 6'0" | PG James Caldwell | 2023 State NJ , 6’0 G Caldwell 2023

Nathaniel Burleson Nathaniel Burleson 6'3" | SG Ramapo | 2023 State NJ , 6’3 SG Ramapo 2023

Alex Konov Alex Konov 6'7" | PF Manasquan | 2024 State NJ , 6’7 PF Manasquan 2024