How Ikenna Alozie and Fawaz Ifaola’s transfers affect NJ?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Garden State basketball scene was hit with big news as the Patrick School's duo of <strong>Ikenna Alozie</strong> and <strong>Ifaola Tacko</strong> transferred to Dream City Christian in Arizona. The move has major implications as it shakes up the state rankings and the Patrick School's lineup. Tacko was the top center prospect in the 2025 class and his departure opens up the top spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Union Catholic's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1547474' first='Yaw' last='Ansong']</strong> claims the top spot and has the potential to have a big 2022-23 season. The 6'11 post runs the floor hard, creating easy layups and dunks for himself. Ansong skies for rebounds on both ends of the floor and swats shots around the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1623005' first='Malachi' last='Arrington']</strong> takes the next spot in the center rankings as he has the ability to make a name for himself this season. The 6'10 post has a good touch around the basket and can draw contact down low. Arrington fights for rebounds on both ends of the floor and is a solid shot-blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Impact on the 2026 Rankings</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alozie was the top prospect in the 2026 class and his departure moves <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595679' first='Deron' last='Rippey Jr.'] </strong>into the top spot. The 6'1 guard explodes off the floor for dunks and is unafraid of drawing contact in the lane. Rippey Jr. has a quick first step and plays with good floor vision to find his open teammates in the half court. He is a tenacious defender as he gets deflections to generate turnovers and has the ability to defend both backcourt spots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595669' first='Chidi' last='Nwigwe']</strong> also has the potential to take the spot with his ability to create shots for himself off the bounce. The lanky 6'5 wing uses his size to see over his defender and rises up with confidence on his jumper. Nwigwe has a good handle, which he uses to get to the rim off the bounce and finish around the basket</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Impact on the Patrick School</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tacko's departure opens up playing time in the frontcourt for the Celtics. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1773124' first='Assane' last='Mbaye'] </strong>will get the first chance to man the center spot as he was part of the rotation last season. The lanky 7'3 post prospect is able to get position down low and can draw contact in the paint. Mbaye has a nice touch on his free throws and uses his size to influence shots around the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1153967' first='James' last='Moore']</strong> transferred back to the Patrick School this offseason and has the potential to play the five spot. The 6'9 forward has a good face-up game, which he uses to get to the rim off the bounce and finish. Moore can knock down open jumpers from behind the arc and is a solid rebounder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2107672' first='Will' last='Syndor'] </strong>is more of a combo forward, but should get some minutes in the paint as well. The lanky 6'9 forward attacks the basket strong as he can finish through contact and gets to his spot on the floor. Syndor has the potential to defend multiple spots on the floor and is an underrated rebounder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578536' first='Jaysean' last='Williams']</strong> will have the ball in his hands more as he will be tasked with running the offense. The 5'10 lead guard has a tight handle, which he uses to blow by his defender in the halfcourt. Williams has a good release on his jumper and shoots the ball with confidence from behind the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1958321' first='Brandon' last='Lee']</strong> will play off the ball, but is slated for a breakout season. The 6'4 guard has a smooth release on his jumper and can knock down triples in bunches. Lee moves well without the ball in his hands, freeing himself for open layups and jumpers in the halfcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Conclusion:</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Garden State basketball scene will miss Alozie and Tacko as they are both talented prospects who should have big winters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->