Camden County Semifinals: Underclassmen to watch

The semifinals of the Camden County tournament are set to tip off, with four of the five consensus top teams in South Jersey all taking part. Host Camden Catholic takes on second-seeded Paul VI in the opener, with top-seeded Camden matching up with Bishop Eustace in the nightcap. Plenty of upperclassmen will surely play key factors in both results, but the teams also feature underclassmen who have shown they'll be important pieces tonight and into the future. We take a look at them here.    Perhaps the highest-profile recruit in all of the state, Green just recently became eligible after transferring midseason from Imhotep (PA), and has made an immediate splash while rounding out the Camden lineup. He's a hyper-versatile frontcourt prospect with the size for the interior but the perimeter skill and feel of a guard. A knockdown shooter off the catch, Green also stands out as a high-level passer across situations. With a slew of natural gifts at his disposal, he has a chance to be a five-star prospect in time if he continues buying into the little things demanded of him at his size.     After seeing his minutes increase over the course of his freshman year, Richmond has continued to blossom upon jumping into the starting lineup as a sophomore. He's a consistent two-way factor around the rim, using his length, athleticism, and motor to make an impact contesting shots and finishing easy opportunities inside. What makes Richmond really enticing as a prospect are the flashes he shows out to the perimeter with his jump shot and ability to track smaller players defensively. He has to continue to finetune his skills and develop his feel for the game, but it looks like D1 coaches should come calling for Richmond in time.     One of two freshman starters in PVI's frontcourt, Malukila stands out immediately with his premier size at the center spot. Upon watching him play, he shows he's more than just a big body, showcasing a soft touch and solid skill foundation on the interior. The native of the DR Congo is a consistent threat to punish mismatches in the post and poses a steady deterrent to opposing players trying to finish at the rim. As he adjusts to the speed of the game and learns to keep his motor consistent, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Malukila attract high levels of D1 recruitment moving forward.     The other freshman starter for PVI up front is a fellow native of the DR Congo in Cisse, a highly athletic hybrid big. He makes a splash with his motor, movement skills, and leaping ability while finetuning his skills offensively. He's already shown marked improvement in his year spent in the U.S., with his physical tools and team-centric approach providing a strong foundation to build on as he continues to develop. It's far too early to predict a level, but prospects with Cisse's early indicators tend to rarely fall below the D1 level when all is said and done.     It can be easy to overlook Clark at first glance, but once the ball tips, the hyper-competitive floor general makes himself impossible to miss. He serves as the engine for the Irish on both ends, knifing into the lane for tough finishes or to set up teammates and routinely pestering opponents into turnovers at the point of attack. He's also a reliable threat as a shooter if defenders sag off or fall asleep. Already being recruited for his exploits on the football field, colleges on the hoops side would be smart to look past his stature to evaluate the size and consistency of Clark's impact.     As the fifth piece of the starting five, Mann serves as the transition sparkplug and defensive ace in Eustace's lineup. He shows graceful athleticism covering ground on defense and getting into the open floor for easy finishes. Mann also has the consistent energy and buy-in to his role that's needed for a player of his ilk. Also a talented football player, he should have collegiate opportunities in both sports when the time comes.

The semifinals of the Camden County tournament are set to tip off, with four of the five consensus top teams in South Jersey all taking part. Host Camden Catholic takes on second-seeded Paul VI in the opener, with top-seeded Camden matching up with Bishop Eustace in the nightcap. Plenty of upperclassmen will surely play key factors in both results, but the teams also feature underclassmen who have shown they'll be important pieces tonight and into the future. We take a look at them here.