NJIC Under the Radar Players to Watch in 2023-24

Joe Esquivel-Murphy November 8, 2023 @ 08:56 AM

<p></p>   <p>The upcoming Garden State hoops season is inching closer with tryouts only 12 days away. The NJIC has players who have the potential to have a big winter as they look to lead their teams to deep postseason runs. Here are the NJIC under the radar players to watch in 2023-24.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Mason Mangione, 6'3 SG Glen Rock 2025</strong></h2>   <p></p>   <p>Mangione has had a strong fall, which should carry over into the winter. The 6'3 guard has a good handle, which he uses to beat his defender off the bounce and finishes strong around the basket. Mangione has a smooth release on his jumper and can get hot from distance in a hurry. He moves well without the ball in his hands and gets deflections on defense. Mangione's ability to stretch the floor is something that will help his stock in a big way this season.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Victor Torres, 6'7 PF St. Mary's Rutherford 2024</strong></h2>   <p></p>   <p>Torres is primed for a breakout season as he should get more touches down low. The 6'7 forward uses his strong frame to get position down low and has a nice touch around the basket. Torres does not mind drawing contact and sets strong screens in the halfcourt. He rips down rebounds on both ends of the floor and influences shots around the rim. Torres is a physical, forward prospect who should be a double-double machine in his senior season.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Deangelo Hibbert, 6'4 SF Paterson Charter 2024</strong></h2>   <p></p>   <p>Hibbert has the potential to play either the three or the four, making him an intriguing prospect to watch in the NJIC. The 6'4 forward has a good face-up game, which he uses to get to the rim and finish around the basket. Hibbert is more than just a slasher as he has a high release on his jumper and can knock down open jumpers on the perimeter. He fights for rebounds on both ends of the floor and has the potential to defend multiple positions on the floor. Hibbert is a strong, forward prospect who should have a senior season for Paterson Charter.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Shawn Spencer, 6'2 SG Saddle River Day 2025</strong></h2>   <p></p>   <p>The Rebels lost their top four scorers from last season, giving Spencer an opportunity to have a strong junior season. The 6'2 guard has a nice handle, which he uses to get to the rim and finish around the basket. Spencer is more than just a slasher as he can also knock down jumpers from behind the arc and wastes little motion in his release. He rarely forces shots in the halfcourt and is an underrated defender. Spencer has the potential to put up points in bunches this season as he should get a lot of touches on the offensive end in 2023-24.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Jackson Burke, 6'7 PF Dwight-Englewood 2024</strong></h2>   <p></p>   <p>Burke is the top returning scorer for the Bulldogs, which means he should get more shots up in the halfcourt. The 6'7 forward has a good touch around the basket and is unafraid of drawing contact down low. Burke has an underrated faceup game and moves well without the ball in his hands. He works hard on the glass and holds his ground on the defensive end. Burke's ability to finish around the basket is something that will help Dwight-Englewood in 2023-24.</p>