State Springboard: 2028 prospects to Track this Spring

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state finals concluded on Sunday with six teams taking home a state title. The spring AAU season is coming up and there are 2028 prospects looking to carry over their success into the summer. Here are the 2028 prospects to track from the state finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2397968' first='Connor' last='Junker'], 6'0 PG Gill St. Bernard's</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junker had a strong performance in the state final as he put up a game high 13 points. The 6'0 guard attacked the basket with a purpose as he finished strong around the rim and was able to draw contact in the half court. Junker set his feet before he shot and was unafraid of taking big shots down the stretch. He slid his feet on the defensive end and played off the ball as well. Junker is a sharpshooting guard prospect who is looking to carry over his success into the spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3040515' first='Shriyans' last='Mallavarapu'], 6'9 C/PF Montgomery</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mallavarapu had his presence felt in the paint as he had a game-high eight rebounds and three blocks. The 6'9 post used his length to swat shots around the basket and influenced plenty of others. Mallavarapu skied for rebounds on both ends of the floor, creating second chance opportunities for his team. He showed a nice touch around the rim and set solid screens in the half court. Mallavarapu's confidence on the offensive end grew over the course of the season and should continue to grow over the next couple of months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2683648' first='Jayce' last='Rodriguez'], 6'2 SG Colonia</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rodriguez did everything he could for the Patriots as he poured in a team high 22 points. The 6'2 guard used his handle to get to his spot on the floor and rose up nicely on his jumper. Rodriguez rarely got sped up by on-ball pressure and showed the ability to play on and off the ball. He moved his feet on the defensive end and pushed the pace well in transition. Rodriguez played at a high level all season long for Colonia, which should carry over into the spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2782185' first='Anthony' last='Blackmon'], 5'9 PG Shabazz</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blackmon ended his breakout sophomore campaign with 16 points and four assists in the state final. The 5'9 guard used his tight handle, which he used to blow by his defender and finished well around the rim. Blackmon played with composure on the ball as he got to his spot on the floor and found his open teammates in the half court. He played off the ball and worked hard on the defensive end. Blackmon is a speedy guard prospect who should continue his high level play during the spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2833843' first='Owen' last='Wucherpfennig'], 6'7 PF Bergen Catholic</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wucherpfennig was a force on the boards as he ripped down a game-high nine rebounds. The 6'7 forward was tough to box out as he ripped down offensive rebounds to provide second chance opportunities for the Crusaders. Wucherpfennig used his strong frame to get position down low and was able to pass out of the post. He showed a high release on his free throws and rarely forced jumpers in the half court. Wucherpfennig is a physical forward prospect who should have a strong spring with his ability to impact the game in the paint at both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->