'25 NJ Panthers Newest Additions Heading Into Pitt Jam Fest

Returning to Hoop Group's Showcase League circuit for another spring and summer, the NJ Panthers look to build off their recent success as one of New Jersey's best independent AAU programs. Competing at the top of the HGSL circuit year in and year out, the NJ Panthers are no stranger to competing for HGSL championships and college commitments. Recently merging with another one of New Jersey's AAU programs, the Garden State Warriors, and assembling teams for Hoop Group's new Academic League, while also welcoming in new players into their program, let's take a look at some program's new prospects that everyone should have their eye on heading into Hoop Group's Pitt Jam Fest.    A huge addition to the NJ Panthers 17U backcourt, [player_tooltip player_id='1919211' first='Dorsett' last='Mulcahy'] brings a unique combination of size, feel for the game, and versatility. A very fundamentally sound basketball player, Mulcahy excels at getting in the paint and playing off two feet, making plays for himself and the other guys around him. Mulcahy is also fully capable of being a spot up shooter, knocking down open shots from three point range. In addition, Mulcahy excels at being able to handle the basketball and initiate offense while also using his size to crash the glass and bang on the boards. Look for Mulcahy's fingerprints to be all over the success this year's 17U NJ Panthers squad has throughout the spring and the summer.     [player_tooltip player_id='2342605' first='Trevor' last='Whitaker'] brings an interesting blend of scoring prowess and size to this year's 17U Hoop Group Academic squad. Possessing a smooth and fluid game off the bounce, Whitaker is fully capable of getting to his spots off the dribble and creating offense for himself. On the defensive end of the floor, Whitaker has good length that helps him be a versatile defender and guard multiple positions. With his combination of shot making ability from multiple spots on the court and ability to be an effective and versatile defender, look for Whitaker to showcase a lot of the upside that makes him an intriguing prospect in the 2026 class.     A gritty and scrappy undersized guard that plays with a tremendous motor, [player_tooltip player_id='2202018' first='Rocco' last='Loomis'] brings a unique combination of ball handling, perimeter shot making, and defensive intensity. Loomis is fully capable of handling the ball handling responsibilities for any offense he's in and will look to provide much of that for the NJ Panthers 16s. Loomis will also look to provide perimeter shot making ability, particularly off the catch— as he is a sniper from three point range and seems to be automatic almost every time he puts it up from deep. Defensively, look for Loomis to be the pesky defender that he is— pressuring the ball out on the perimeter and using his active hands to be disruptive.     Providing a good amount of size to the Panthers' 16U frontcourt, [player_tooltip player_id='2858263' first='Zach' last='Derstine'] brings a strong interior paint presence both on the offensive and defensive end of the floor. Operating primarily in the low post, Derstine is fully capable of finishing with both his left and right hand around the basket, through traffic in the paint as well. Derstine also possesses good hands and solid footwork, showcasing his ability to play off different types of pump fakes and pivots in the low post. Defensively, look for Derstine to be a strong presence on the glass and protecting the paint as the spring and summer goes along.     Looking to provide a strong and impactful scoring punch to the Panthers' 17U Academic squad, [player_tooltip player_id='1859568' first='Shaan' last='Nayar'] brings an unique blend of perimeter shot making ability as well as an ability to handle the basketball against pressure to the Panthers' backcourt. Coming off a strong junior season that saw him shoot it at a 42% clip from three point range, Nayar excels as a versatile shooter from three point range being able to shoot it off the catch and off the dribble. Also possessing a strong handle, look for Nayar to also shoulder some of the ball handling responsibilities and initiate offense in combination with his perimeter shooting ability.     A bouncy combo forward known for getting on the rim, Terrence Jamison will look to provide a unique combination of athleticism and finishing ability around the rim to this year's NJ Panthers 16U squad. Jamison is fully capable of catching dump offs from penetrating guards and getting on the rim when playing down low while also being able to sprint the floor in transition and finish emphatically above the rim. As the AAU season goes along, look for Jamison to showcase his improving ability to play out on the perimeter and handle the ball both in the open floor but also attacking on dribble drives.

Returning to Hoop Group's Showcase League circuit for another spring and summer, the NJ Panthers look to build off their recent success as one of New Jersey's best independent AAU programs. Competing at the top of the HGSL circuit year in and year out, the NJ Panthers are no stranger to competing for HGSL championships and college commitments. Recently merging with another one of New Jersey's AAU programs, the Garden State Warriors, and assembling teams for Hoop Group's new Academic League, while also welcoming in new players into their program, let's take a look at some program's new prospects that everyone should have their eye on heading into Hoop Group's Pitt Jam Fest.