Preseason Bump: 2028 Fall Ball Eye Catchers

Fall leagues and preseason showcases across New Jersey have been in full swing since last month. Throughout September and early October, both emerging talents and well-known prospects have turned in impressive performances that have drawn plenty of attention. After attending several events over the past couple of months, here's a look at some 2028 prospects who have stood out and made strong impressions during fall ball so far.    [player_tooltip player_id='2958183' first='Marcel' last='Carr'] has thrived in different settings this fall that've highlighted his ability to be effective in two completely different roles. One of the brightest performers from Hoop Group's Mid-Atlantic Fall Camp, Carr impressed in a more of an on ball role that saw him create offense for himself— creating space off the bounce and converting on a number of looks from the perimeter. Over the course of multiple preseason showcases with St. Joe's, Carr's thrived in a unique role of spot up shooting and secondary ball handling/ facilitation. Carr's performances this fall have highlighted his ability to be effective both on and off the ball. Carr possesses glaring positional size and fluid movement skills that should continue to help refine his skillset going forward.     Having gotten the chance to see him over the course of a number of showings this fall, [player_tooltip player_id='2948559' first='Jayden' last='Opoku'] has strung together a boatload of impressive moments that've highlighted his intriguing upside at the guard position. Opoku is a smooth combo guard that's poised off the bounce and has been effective both as a multi level scorer— knocking down outside shots, getting to his in between area game and being a crafty finisher, all while also showing flashes of being a precise facilitator, who can get his teammates the ball in the right spots. Opoku is a guard who's ultimately effective and productive at both guard spots and should continue to be a key piece of Linden's guard rotation.     A savvy left handed point guard who effectively sets the table on the offensive end, [player_tooltip player_id='2782185' first='Anthony' last='Blackmon']'s exhibited strong qualities that resonate that of a PG that takes command of an offense. A strong bodied guard who thrives at being a physical driver and playing through bumps, Blackmon is a habitual paint toucher that not only finishes with craftiness and versatility in traffic but also uses his good court vision to be a precise passer and make plays for others. Blackmon also thrives as a shot maker from the perimeter, as he's capable of knocking down outside shots as a spot up shooter and off the bounce. Despite being undersized, Blackmon makes up for his lack on the defensive end with his constant ball pressure, tenacious effort, and timely anticipation skills.     Having taken clear strides in his game over the last several months dating back to as far the summer, [player_tooltip player_id='2202021' first='Aidan' last='Carter'] has continued to deliver impressive performances that've highlighted his strong ability to be a crafty and creative multi level scorer and a decisive and high IQ playmaker. Over the course of a number of showings, Carter has almost consistently maintained a healthy balance between scoring and facilitating. The jumbo combo guard has exhibited his ability to finish in the paint with soft touch floaters and crafty layups in traffic, create space off the bounce and hit smooth mid range pull ups, and convert on deep range threes, all while also demonstrating his precise decision making ability with sharp reads and decisive passes to create clean scoring chances for his teammates.     An overall smooth and versatile shot maker, [player_tooltip player_id='2504780' first='Infinite' last='Sincere-AmenRa'] has delivered countless impressive scoring performances this fall that've exhibited the different ways he can knock down shots— creating space off the bounce and hitting smooth mid range pull ups, knocking down movement threes, and thriving as a spot up shooter from the perimeter, with deep range as well. Sincere-AmenRa's looked remarkably confident and composed with the ball, creating his own shots and displaying impressive scoring ability, skillfully breaking down defenders, finished creatively around the rim, and consistently hit tough shots from all over the court. Since the move to Seton Hall Prep, Sincere-AmenRa has taken strides as a decision maker as well, stringing together moments of sharp and instinctive passing along side his ability to handle the ball against pressure and initiate offense.     A versatile wing who plays with tremendous energy and seems to always find ways to impact winning, [player_tooltip player_id='2414310' first='Bridgie' last='McMillan'] has shined as a big difference maker over the course of multiple showings thus far this fall. A nice connective piece offensively, McMillan is a threat to knock down outside shots, is effective in the open floor, sprinting the floor and being a strong finisher in transition while also attacking closeouts and finishing at the rim at an effective rate. Defensively, McMillan's impact is pretty much always felt— constantly pressuring ball handlers, being a versatile and switchable defender, and being a contributor on the glass. McMillan should continue to be an intricate piece to Bergen Catholic's on court success heading into the winter.     A dominant rim presence on both the offensive and defensive end of the floor, [player_tooltip player_id='2909264' first='Joel' last='Patrick'] has been impressive this fall in the different ways he's found to impact the game with his size, length, and athleticism. Often times thriving off activity, Patrick does a good job of not only running the floor in transition but also is impactful on the offensive glass, generating countless second chance opportunities. Patrick has soft hands and solid touch around the basket which allow him to be effective as a finisher. Defensively, Patrick uses his length to be a force on the interior as a rim protector, altering and block shot attempts with good timing as well as a tenacious rebounder.     A lethal perimeter shooting threat who possesses strong intangibles as a shooter, [player_tooltip player_id='2972049' first='Julian' last='Ceberio'] has consistently impressed in a number of showings this fall. Confident from three point range, Ceberio has thrived as both a spot up shooter and a movement shooter. With a compact shooting form, Ceberio is threat to always shoot the ball largely due to him always being hunting his shot and being shot ready, always sprinting the floor in transition, while also constantly relocating and moving well without the basketball.     A lethal three point shooter with a smooth and effortless release, [player_tooltip player_id='2305481' first='Jaylen' last='Lewis'] has showcased his versatility by proving he can knock down shots just as effectively on the move as he can in spot up situations so far this fall. The left-handed combo guard has strung together moments that've also displayed his craftiness and creativity off the dribble—making smart reads in the paint that resulted in creating opportunities for teammates as well as finishing around the rim with craftiness and soft touch.     An overall confident shot maker, [player_tooltip player_id='2194744' first='AJ' last='Greig'] has not only impressed as a versatile shot maker but also as an offensive weapon in the different ways he can help produce offense. So far this fall, Greig has demonstrated his ability to be threat from the outside as a spot up shooter but also in the between area with different pull up jumpers and soft touch floaters. Greig has also shined as a roller in PnR situations, as cutter off the ball, and has also used his size to be impactful in the rebounding department.

Fall leagues and preseason showcases across New Jersey have been in full swing since last month. Throughout September and early October, both emerging talents and well-known prospects have turned in impressive performances that have drawn plenty of attention. After attending several events over the past couple of months, here's a look at some 2028 prospects who have stood out and made strong impressions during fall ball so far.