2026 Bergen County Forward Prospects to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>August is nearly over as Labor Day weekend is this weekend. Bergen County is one of the top counties for basketball in New Jersey and has talent that will make an impact on the floor this season, especially in the 2026 class. Here are the 2026 Bergen County forward prospects to track this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595675' first='Julius' last='Avent'], 6'6 SF Bergen Catholic</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Avent is one of the top wings in the class and should put it on display this season. The 6'6 wing elevates for dunks and can finish through contact around the basket. Avent uses his size to see over his defender and rises up nicely on his jumper. He rips down rebounds at both ends of the floor and has the length to defend multiple positions on the floor. Avent is a talented wing prospect whose recruitment will be one to watch throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2421366' first='Israel' last='Jackson'], 6'4 SF Don Bosco Prep</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson has the ability to break out this season as he should get more touches on the offensive end. The 6'4 forward has a good first step, which he uses to beat his defender off the bounce and finishes nicely around the rim. Jackson moves well without the ball in his hands, freeing himself for open layups and jumpers in the halfcourt. He works for rebounds on both ends of the floor and holds his ground on the defensive end. Jackson has the ability to play either forward spot, making him a prospect to track over the next couple of months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2422938' first='Samuel' last='Owusu-Adoumi'], 6'5 SF Paramus Catholic</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owusu-Adoumi made some noise during his sophomore season and should take a bigger step forward in 2024-25. The 6'5 forward uses his handle to get to his spot on the floor and finishes nicely around the basket. Owusu-Adoumi is more than just a slasher as he has a high release on his jumper and sets his feet before he shoots. He is an underrated rebounder and has the size to defend multiple positions on the floor. Owusu-Adoumi had six double digit scoring performances last season and should eclipse that number in 2024-25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2107957' first='Marcos' last='Estrada'], 6'4 SF Hackensack</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Estrada has shown the potential to play either forward spot, which makes him an intriguing prospect to watch in the class. The 6'4 forward knows how to get position down low and has a good touch around the basket. Estrada rarely forces jumpers in the halfcourt and is able to draw contact down low. He is a solid rebounder and is able to get deflections on the defensive end. Estrada is a hard-working forward prospect whose ability to make an impact at both ends of the floor will help his stock in a big way this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2342687' first='Jerelz' last='Ortiz'], PF Cliffside Park</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ortiz had a standout 2023-24 season and is looking to build upon it in his junior season. He uses his frame to get position down low and has a nice touch around the basket. Ortiz can also put the ball on the floor and hit shots in the mid-range. He is a force on the boards and uses anticipation to swat shots on the defensive end. Ortiz is a double-double machine who should be a menace in the paint throughout the course of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->