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6th Man Hoops New Year’s Shoot Out: Big Standouts

6th Man Hoops New Year’s Shoot Out: Big Standouts
Ralph Jean-Francois
Ralph Jean-Francois January 22, 2025 @ 10:09 AM
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In this article:

Rolando Cesar
Rolando Cesar 6'5" | SF/PF | 2025
NJ
David Ekhelar
David Ekhelar 6'8" | C | 2026
NJ
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On January 5th, 6th Man Hoops opened the new year hosting a showcase at Newark Collegiate Academy in Newark, NJ that highlighted some under the radar prospects in the state of New Jersey. After a full day of matchups and some big individual performances, let's take a look at some of the bigs that stood out over the course of Sunday's action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1472516"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2729954,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6785d449d4667"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1472516' first='David' last='Ekhelar'] did a good job of using his size and length to be active on the offensive and defensive class for Newark East Side. Making his presence known in the paint, Ekhelar showcased his ability to finish around the basket on the offensive end and protect the paint on the defensive end; rebounding the basketball and effectively contesting shots at the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":2729957,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2733019' first='Rolando' last='Cesar']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77243","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Newark Collegiate Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6785d449d4711"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A steadily improving big man for Newark Collegiate Academy, [player_tooltip player_id='2733019' first='Rolando' last='Cesar'] showed a lot of good intangibles that you like to see in a big man. Cesar did a good job of running the floor, catching the ball in transition as well as catching dumpoffs from the dunker spot. Cesar also did a good job of using his size to be a force on the glass. Cesar finished the game with 12 points and 14 rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Drean Aikin","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77243","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Newark Central","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6785d449d479b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Drean Aikin's activity on the glass aided him in getting multiple trips to the free throw line against Lyndhurst. Being extremely active on the glass, Aikin was able to get extra possessions for Newark Central and provide a real interior paint presence for the Blue Devils.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":2729966,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jaden Then","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"West Orange","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6785d449d481d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jaden Then showcased his abilities to finish around the basket. Then used his strong frame to absorb and finish through contact. Playing primarily from the dunker spot, Then showed how good his hands when guards were able to get in the paint, draw two defenders and dump it off to him. Then finished the game with 14 points and 6 rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jonal Harrison","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77243","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Snyder","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","fullHeight":false,"anchor":"acf-block-6785d449d48a0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Providing a nice interior paint presence for Snyder, Jonal Harrison showcased not only an ability to finish in different ways around the basket but also a nice touch around the rim, displaying an ability to finish over both shoulders. When playing in the dunker spot for Snyder's offense, Harrison did a good job of catching dump offs from his guards when they were able to get deep in the paint. Harrison was also active on the glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->

On January 5th, 6th Man Hoops opened the new year hosting a showcase at Newark Collegiate Academy in Newark, NJ that highlighted some under the radar prospects in the state of New Jersey. After a full day of matchups and some big individual performances, let's take a look at some of the bigs that stood out over the course of Sunday's action.

David Ekhelar

David Ekhelar

NJ
C
HEIGHT 6'8"
POS C
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
David
Ekhelar C
Class
2026
Height
6'8"
HS
Lawrenceville
|
NJ
6th Man Hoops New Year’s Shoot Out: Big Standouts
David Ekhelar did a good job of using his size and length to be active on the offensive...
Written by Ralph Jean-Francois
Read more at PrepHoops.com
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David Ekhelar

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State: New Jersey
School: Lawrenceville
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Highlights

<span class="pn-tooltip pn-player-link">
        <span class="name-pointer">6th Man Hoops New Year’s Shoot Out: Big Standouts</span>
        <span class="info-box not-prose" style="background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(247,101,23, 0.95) 0%,rgba(247,101,23, 1) 100%)">
            <a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/01/6th-man-hoops-new-years-shoot-out-big-standouts/" class="link-wrap">
                                    <span class="player-img"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/IMG_7630-crop-3226x2118-1736824144.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="6th Man Hoops New Year’s Shoot Out: Big Standouts"></span>
                
                <span class="player-details">
                    <span class="first-name">6th</span>
                    <span class="last-name">Man Hoops New Year’s Shoot Out: Big Standouts</span>
                    <span class="measurables">
                                            </span>
                                    </span>
                <span class="player-rank">
                                                        </span>
                                    <span class="state-abbr"></span>
                            </a>

                    </span>
    </span>

Rolando Cesar Rolando Cesar Rolando Cesar 6'5" | SF/PF Newark Collegiate | 2025 NJ

HEIGHT 6'3"
POS C
CLASS 2025

Rolando Cesar Rolando Cesar Rolando Cesar 6'5" | SF/PF Newark Collegiate | 2025 NJ

School: Newark Collegiate Academy
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Drean Aikin

Drean Aikin

HEIGHT 6'2"
POS C
CLASS 2025

Drean Aikin

School: Newark Central
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Jaden Then

Jaden Then

HEIGHT 6'2"
POS PF
CLASS 2027

Jaden Then

School: West Orange
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Jonal Harrison

Jonal Harrison

HEIGHT 6'3"
POS C
CLASS 2026

Jonal Harrison

School: Snyder
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