Iverson Classic: New Jersey Eye Catchers

High school basketball in the state of New Jersey is fully in the swing of things and that means teams are starting to find their chemistry and rhythm. One of the more highly anticipated regular season events on the New Jersey high school basketball calendar is the Iverson Classic— where some of the best programs from Texas, Maryland, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania traveled to Paramus Catholic in Paramus, NJ to compete against each other in a complete slate of action over the weekend. Among the standouts from this past Friday and Saturday's action was an interesting crop of New Jersey prospects. With that being said, let's dive into prospects who turned heads and how they faired.    A lengthy and extremely high energy tweener who possesses springy athleticism, [player_tooltip player_id='2148602' first='Eric' last='Hillsman'] demonstrated how his physical tools translate to being a difference maker on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. Leveraging his physical tools into productive and consistent activity, Hillsman provided value in a multitude of ways, suppling legitimate two way impact— rim running in transition for emphatic above the rim finishes, a quick cutter in half court actions, pinning shots against the glass in transition, and walling up against opposing shot attempts at the rim without fouling. A part of his skillset that remains intricate to what his outlook looks like at the next level, Hillsman even flashed his spot up shooting ability from the outside— showing improved fluidity in the overall mechanics in his jump shot.     A smooth and crafty playmaking jumbo point guard who reliantly takes command of the offense and controls the game, [player_tooltip player_id='2202021' first='Aidan' last='Carter'] showed all the tools necessary that translate to being a true lead guard— unselfish ball distribution mixed with efficient and versatile scoring. Highlighting his ability to be an overall smart decision maker, Carter excelled at dicing up the zone of Archbishop Carroll (PA) to kick things off early on, converting on deep range spot up threes off the catch, attacking gaps to collapse the defense and force defenders out of position to ultimately create advantageous scoring chances— spraying out to open shooters and getting in the paint to convert on soft touch floaters. Settling into a nice rhythm as the game went on, Carter maintained his aggressiveness— attacking driving angles when Carroll (PA) went man to continue creating drive and kick threes for his teammates and to convert on a number of finishes in traffic around the basket.     An excellent connective piece who brings high impact value with a lot of the things he does on both both as a shot maker and a on ball defender, [player_tooltip player_id='2895818' first='Imaad' last='Johnson'] showed much of why he remains an intricate part of this St. Joe's Metuchen's collective success on the court. With Carroll (PA) opening up this matchup in a zone, Johnson took full advantage of quick ball reversals and aggressive penetration from other guards— ultimately shining off the ball and settling into a nice rhythm early, connecting on a number of open shots from three point range to build St. Joe's early lead.     A tremendous depth piece in the backcourt with the makeup of St. Joe's Metuchen group, [player_tooltip player_id='2887076' first='Jordan' last='Mason'] provides tremendous value as a guard who's role consists primarily of dangerous spot up shooting and reliable ball handling when the offense calls for it. Mason delivered a standout performance that highlighted the left hander's ability to impact the game from the perimeter— providing off ball scoring as an extremely smooth and confident catch and shoot shooter, capable of getting into a hot rhythm and torching the nets, with deep range accuracy as well.     An ultra smooth and extremely confident shot maker with some of the most beautiful shooting mechanics you'll find across the state, Treveor Whitaker brings spectacular value as a versatile outside shooter— particularly as a spot up shooter and a movement shooter coming off screens. Whitaker hunts his shot off the ball and has both the necessary mechanics and strong tendencies of a dead eye shooter that routinely torches nets, reflective of his performance Saturday night against Paramus Catholic— a quick and high release, great elevation on his jump shot, smooth footwork coming off screens, excellent balance throughout his entire jumper, and constant relocation and movement off the ball.     One of the more nationally touted guards in his class in the state of New Jersey, [player_tooltip player_id='2504886' first='Malik' last='Moore'] delivered a standout performance that highlighted his diverse scoring attacking against Paramus Catholic. A quick left handed guard with a natural ability to score the basketball, Moore got going putting the ball in the basket from different areas on the floor— getting downhill and attacking driving angles off the bounce, hitting tough contested mid range pull ups that highlighted his soft touch, and even knocking down open catch and shoot looks from three point range off the ball.     Having legitimately blossomed into every bit of the definition of a true point guard dating back to his sophomore year up until now, [player_tooltip player_id='2344521' first='Micah' last='Gordon'] demonstrated much of what makes him so dynamic with the ball in his hands as an overall playmaker and what has plenty of high major coaches intrigued with his game. Gordon is a super unselfish facilitator who has absolutely no problem sharing the ball— making a number of high level of passes to open shooters, delivering on time and on target passes to consistently hit shooters in rhythm. Gordon was also really impressive on the defensive end of the floor— standing out with his intensity pressuring the ball and using his quick hands and ability to really beat his man to the spot to poke the ball out from opposing ball handlers as well as play the passing lanes.

High school basketball in the state of New Jersey is fully in the swing of things and that means teams are starting to find their chemistry and rhythm. One of the more highly anticipated regular season events on the New Jersey high school basketball calendar is the Iverson Classic— where some of the best programs from Texas, Maryland, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania traveled to Paramus Catholic in Paramus, NJ to compete against each other in a complete slate of action over the weekend. Among the standouts from this past Friday and Saturday's action was an interesting crop of New Jersey prospects. With that being said, let's dive into prospects who turned heads and how they faired.