NJ Hoop Recruit Hooptober Fest: Top Standouts Part II

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hooptober Fest on Saturday was filled with so many standouts that one post wasn't enough. Here are even more standouts from NJ Hoop Recruit's Hooptober Fest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595666' first='Ethan' last='Mgbako'], 6'5 F Roselle Catholic 2026</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mgbako had a strong day at Hooptober Fest as he made his presence felt throughout the game against Camden Eastside. The 6'5 forward used his physicality to get position down low and finished through contact in the paint. Mgbako showed off a good touch around the basket and put the ball on the floor nicely. He fought for rebounds on both ends of the floor and moved his feet on the defensive end. Mgbako's ability to impact the game at both ends of the floor is something that will help his stock throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2335540' first='Jalen' last='Long'], 5'10 PG Camden Eastside 2024</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long was key for the Tigers as he helped spark the Tigers' offense in both games. The 5'10 guard used his quick first step to beat his defender off the bounce and finish around the basket. Long played with poise on the ball and took big shots throughout the day. He was able to get deflections on the defensive end and showed the ability to play off the ball as well. Long's ability to run the offense is something that will help his development this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1557545' first='Cameron' last='McRae'], 5'10 PG Elizabeth 2025</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McRae had a tremendous day for the Minutemen as he scored the ball in a variety of ways. The 5'10 guard showed off his tight handle, which he used to beat his defender off the bounce and finished in a variety of ways around the basket. McRae played with confidence throughout the game as he rose up nicely on his jumper from behind the arc. He pushed the pace in transition and generated turnovers on the defensive end. McRae is a scoring lead guard who should have a strong 2023-24 season for Elizabeth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1411675' first='David' last='Johnson'], 6'1 SG St. Benedict's 2025</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson had a stellar day for the Gray Bees as Eagle Academy had no answers for him. The 6'1 guard showed off his tight handle, which he used to blow by his defender and finish around the basket. Johnson made smart decisions with the ball in his hands and did not get rattled by on-ball pressure. He got his teammates involved in the halfcourt and made plays on the defensive end. Johnson is a dynamic guard prospect whose ability to put up points in bunches will help St. Benedict's have a strong 2023-24 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1153991' first='Gio' last='Panzini'], 6'5 SF St. Rose 2024</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Panzini had a strong performance at Hooptober Fest as he made an impact at both ends of the floor. The 6'5 wing exploded off the floor for dunks and showed the ability to put the ball on the floor. Panzini set his feet before he shot and wasted little motion in his jumper. He ripped down rebounds at both ends of the floor and moved well without the ball in his hands. Panzini's ability to stretch the floor combined is something that will help his stock in a big way this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Other Prospects to Watch:</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1958321' first='Brandon' last='Lee'], 6'5 SG Patrick School 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1773151' first='Jaden' last='Myers'], 6'0 PG Union Catholic 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1580578' first='Jayden' last='Hodge'], 6'4 SG St. Rose 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1853418' first='Jahi' last='Whitney'], 6'4 W Montclair 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2339149' first='Casper' last='Pohto'], 6'3 SG St. Benedict's 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->