UA Association: NJ Prospects To Know From Session I Part I

The Under Armour Association kicked off the 2025 AAU season in Kansas City, KS this weekend with a slate of competitive matchups that featured some of New Jersey's most intriguing prospects across the 2026 and 2027 classes. In the first part of this article, let's dive into some prospects from the state of New Jersey that turned heads throughout UAA's first session.    [player_tooltip player_id='1580578' first='Jayden' last='Hodge']'s pace and poise with the ball in his hands really stood out over the weekend. Hodge was super effective playing off DHO's and curl screens— getting to the basket and finishing through contact while also showcasing his touch around the rim through an array of different floaters. In his downhill attacking approach, Hodge also excelled at playing off two feet and playing off pivots when in the paint. A better shooter than his session one numbers suggest, look for Hodge to shoot it at a more efficient clip from three point range going into session two.     Playing in a more off the ball role with this Shoreshots UAA team, [player_tooltip player_id='1790209' first='Ethan' last='Lin'] flashed moments of his shot making ability—particularly off the catch from the perimeter as well as getting to his mid range off one or two dribbles when defenses closed out on him. Lin did pick up an offer from Old Dominion over the weekend. Shooting a higher percentage from the field will however be imperative for Lin heading into session two in May.     Over the course of the weekend, [player_tooltip player_id='1595680' first='Mason' last='Santiago'] really stood out in his ability to be effective in transition— often times initiating the break himself, attacking the basket and finishing through contact at the rim. Where Santiago also showed flashes was his ability as a secondary ball handler particularly in PnR situations getting downhill and finishing around the basket. Santiago's downhill aggression awarded himself multiple trips to the free throw line throughout the course of the weekend. Santiago probably could have been a little more efficient from the field but nonetheless he did excel in his ability to put pressure on the rim both in transition and in the halfcourt.     Providing a strong interior paint presence throughout the course of the weekend for this Shoreshots 17s team, [player_tooltip player_id='2263788' first='Daniel' last='Marcellinus'] hung his hat on the defensive end of the floor thriving as a rim protector and a strong rebounder. Marcellinus showed solid defensive intangibles and technique— consistently walling up, staying vertical on shot attempts at the rim, and good timing blocking shot attempts at the rim from the weakside. Look for Marcellinus to continue to show how effective his physically imposing and strong fame can be on the interior going into UAA's second session.     Over the course of the weekend, [player_tooltip player_id='2202015' first='Azyris' last='Richmond'] showed a handful of bright moments that make him an intriguing prospect at his size. Richmond showed flashes of his soft touch around the rim, fluidity and mobility at his size, and smooth shooting stroke. Richmond also displayed his ability to sprint the floor as well as be active on the offensive glass. Although raw and having both up and down moments throughout the weekend, Richmond is steadily improving and will definitely look to put together more brighter moments heading into session two next month.

The Under Armour Association kicked off the 2025 AAU season in Kansas City, KS this weekend with a slate of competitive matchups that featured some of New Jersey's most intriguing prospects across the 2026 and 2027 classes. In the first part of this article, let's dive into some prospects from the state of New Jersey that turned heads throughout UAA's first session.