Metro Classic: New Jersey Prospects Preview

One of the most highly anticipated events on the New Jersey high school basketball calendar returns this weekend in the Metro Classic— a high profile multi day invitational that year in and year out features not only some of the best talent in the country but also some of the region's best talent as well. With everyone's sight set on the action ahead this weekend at Stockton University in Galloway, NJ, let's dive into some notable prospects that'll be looking to put together impressive performances.   [player_tooltip player_id='2344521' first='Micah' last='Gordon'] | 6'0" G 2027 Plainfield   On an impressive of an individual season as anybody in the entire state, the savvy playmaking [player_tooltip player_id='2344521' first='Micah' last='Gordon'] has been nothing short of impressive thus far this season, really solidifying himself as one of the top guards in the entire class of 2027. Currently posting averages of 23.8 PPG, 5.76 RPG & 5.41 APG, the four star point guard has pretty much got whatever he's wanted throughout the course of his junior campaign— scoring with craftiness and creativity at all three levels while equally impressing as an extremely willing facilitator, getting his teammates the ball in the necessary spots to be effective. Fresh off receiving an offer from Tennessee just last week and with two matchups ahead this weekend, look for Gordon to continue to showcase so much of what has plenty of high major coaches intrigued with his services.   [player_tooltip player_id='2504896' first='William' last='Brunson'] | 6'6" W 2028 Rutgers Prep   There are few if any prospects in the national class of 2028 who've seen their stocks skyrocket as much as [player_tooltip player_id='2504896' first='William' last='Brunson'] has endured over the last 8-10 months. The four star wing possesses a rare combination of advanced offensive skill and legitimate positional size, ultimately generating recent interest from the likes of Villanova, NC State, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma State. Brunson has been on a tear to start his impressive sophomore campaign, putting up impressive statistical performances and showcasing so much of what has college coaches intrigued with his long term upside as a prospect— impressive and crafty shot creation off the bounce across all levels, unselfish passing instinct paired with advanced court vision, length projected as a weapon capable of guarding multiple positions and high energy on the boards. In the midst of a national rise in the rankings and just the beginning of his recruitment starting to really see an uptick, look for Brunson to continue his impressive play as a left handed jumbo guard with the potential to develop into one of the premier two way wings in his entire class.   [player_tooltip player_id='2342638' first='Jaden' last='Brown'] | 6'3" G 2026 Bergen Catholic   [player_tooltip player_id='2342638' first='Jaden' last='Brown'] is as dynamic a guard as there is in the state of New Jersey, possessing a unique ability to be an overall confident and dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands. The Fairfield commit is tough and physical, routinely playing with strong command of the offense and consistently controls the tempo of the game— being a potent overall decision maker maintaining a healthy balance between scoring from all three levels and creating clean and quality looks for his teammates, ultimately putting a boatload of pressure on the defense. Brown's aggressive in getting downhill, using his strength and smooth change of pace to both get to the basket and generate trips to the free throw line. His feel for the game is clearly evident in how he reads defensive coverages and makes sound decisions, often looking to find his open teammates. Look for Brown to continue to demonstrates the qualities you like to see in a winning lead guard—capable of managing the game and getting others involved while also still providing dependable scoring.   [player_tooltip player_id='2509329' first='Ashton' last='Graves'] | 6'4" G 2027 Hudson Catholic   An aggressive scoring guard who is wired to score, [player_tooltip player_id='2509329' first='Ashton' last='Graves'] consistently stands out with the confidence he exudes on the offensive end of the floor in terms of putting the ball in the basket. Graves is explosive in getting downhill and putting pressure on the rim, both in the open floor and in different half court actions while countering his constant paint touches with his confident outside shooting touch as a spot up shooter. With Hudson Catholic set to play two matchups over the course of the weekend, look for Graves to also use his high motor and intriguing athleticism fueled with his versatility to make plays all over the court on both ends of the floor as true two way difference making guard.   [player_tooltip player_id='2202021' first='Aidan' last='Carter'] | 6'6" G 2028 St. Joe's Metuchen   Possessing a rare and intriguing blend of positional size, advanced ball skills, and impressive feel for the game, [player_tooltip player_id='2202021' first='Aidan' last='Carter'] continues to emerge as a dynamic lead guard in his first year since transferring to St. Joe's Metuchen. Having taken legitimate strides in his development as a smooth, crafty jumbo point guard who consistently commands the offense and controls the pace of play, [player_tooltip player_id='2202021' first='Aidan' last='Carter'] has thus far displayed all the tools of a legitimate lead guard—balancing unselfish playmaking with efficient and versatile scoring. Carter fills the stat sheet and has delivered a series of standout offensive sequences— creating space off the bounce by bumping defenders into tough mid range pull ups, attacking driving lanes for soft touch floaters in the paint and strong finishes at the basket, using his positional size to rebound at a high level, and consistently collapsing the defense to generate clean scoring opportunities for teammates, highlighting his sharp vision and passing ability. Look for Carter to continue his national ascension in what should be a good test against Crestwood Prep out of Canada.   [player_tooltip player_id='1595679' first='Deron' last='Rippey Jr.'] | 6'1" G 2026 Blair   The most well established prospect from the state of New Jersey, consensus five star point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1595679' first='Deron' last='Rippey Jr.'] routinely reinforces his reputation as one of the nation's elite guards—most notably with the command he displays running the offense for this Blair Academy group. Rippey Jr. is at his best attacking downhill, using his athleticism and sudden change of pace to consistently put pressure on the rim and finish through contact in the paint. Throughout the course of his senior season, the Duke commit has shown a strong feel for the game and sound decision making when defenses collapsed, routinely finding teammates in advantageous scoring positions—an area of his game that has taken a notable leap throughout his development. His poise and confidence are evident and continue to shine in high level settings. On the defensive end, Rippey Jr. makes his presence felt as well— applying consistent ball pressure, defending full court, navigating ball screens effectively, and excelling as a point of attack defender. With two matchups against the likes of St. Thomas More (CT) and Crestwood Prep out of Canada, look for Rippey Jr. to continue to prove why he's considered one of the elite guards in the country.   [player_tooltip player_id='2504886' first='Malik' last='Moore'] | 6'3" G 2028 Union Catholic   One of the most nationally regarded guards in his class in the state of New Jersey, [player_tooltip player_id='2504886' first='Malik' last='Moore'] has turned in a number of standout showings to kickstart his sophomore season that've showcased his versatile scoring package. The quick left handed guard has a natural feel for putting the ball in the basket, and has found success scoring from all three levels thus far this season—attacking downhill and exploiting driving lanes off the bounce, knocking down tough contested mid range pull ups with soft touch, and burying open catch and shoot looks from three point range while playing off the ball. With Union Catholic set to play in competitive battle against Plainfield, look for Moore to continue to showcase much of what his scoring arsenal looks like.   [player_tooltip player_id='1729825' first='Trey' last='Lewis'] | 6'3" G 2026 Roselle Catholic   The engine that fuels a lot of Roselle Catholic's offense, [player_tooltip player_id='1729825' first='Trey' last='Lewis'] makes his impact felt with the ball in his hands, showcasing his flair and creativity as a dynamic scorer while also having recently been tasked with being a little bit of playmaker. Lewis possesses a versatile scoring arsenal— knocking down perimeter shots in a variety of ways, while also attacking driving angles out of multiple different half court actions, converting with touch in the in between area and at the basket, and creating easy offense by jumping passing lanes and turning defensive intensity into transition opportunities. Lewis has also taken on a significant portion of the playmaking responsibilities this season— keeping the defense honest in transition by finding teammates in the dunker spot, hitting cutters sprinting down the lanes, feeding baseline cutters in the secondary break, and kicking the ball out to open shooters along the perimeter.   [player_tooltip player_id='1581755' first='Al'Tariq' last='Reevey'] | 6'9" C 2026 College Achieve   [player_tooltip player_id='1581755' first='Al'Tariq' last='Reevey'] serves as reliable and productive interior force for this College Achieve group— showcasing his ability to dominate the paint with a rare combination of size, length, athleticism, and fluidity. Providing legitimate value as a defensive anchor, Reevey consistently alters and block shots at the rim while crashing the boards aggressively to secure rebounds. Offensively, Reevey thrives off activity—running the rim in transition and converting on second chance opportunities on the glass. He also demonstrates a level of reliability and effectiveness in the low post, frequently catching the ball on the block, making decisive moves, and finishing strongly around the basket. Look for Reevey showcase how much space he carves out on the interior with his physical tools and be an impactful force on the inside for College Achieve.   [player_tooltip player_id='2917025' first='Prosper' last='Highlander'] | 6'5" W 2026 Gill St. Bernard's   A key component of Gill St. Bernard's offensive success thanks to his versatile scoring and the constant mismatches he creates, [player_tooltip player_id='2917025' first='Prosper' last='Highlander'] has turned in standout performances that highlight his full offensive arsenal thus far throughout the course of his senior season— leveraging his unique combination of crafty touch and swift foot speed to put constant pressure on the rim and attack driving angles both in the half court and in the open floor while also being an effective low post scoring threat against smaller defenders. Countering his constant rim pressure and the number of paint touches he generate over the course of a game, Highlander has also displayed his perimeter shooting throughout the course of his senior season, particularly off the catch, remaining a threat to knock down multiple open looks from three point range. Highlander plays with tremendous energy on the defensive end both as a tenacious rebounder and ferocious on ball defender. Look for Highlander to showcase his two way impact at the guard position for Gill St. Bernard's this weekend.

One of the most highly anticipated events on the New Jersey high school basketball calendar returns this weekend in the Metro Classic— a high profile multi day invitational that year in and year out features not only some of the best talent in the country but also some of the region's best talent as well. With everyone's sight set on the action ahead this weekend at Stockton University in Galloway, NJ, let's dive into some notable prospects that'll be looking to put together impressive performances.