2021 Forward Prospects with the Most to Gain

<p>The 2019-20 season featured a strong presence down low with Gatorade Player of the Year <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850316" first="Cliff" last="Omoruyi"]</strong> and <span style="text-decoration: underline;">NJ.com</span> Player of the Year <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="766063" first="Lance" last="Ware"]</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="766090" first="Taj" last="Thweatt"] </strong>was selected to First Team All-State, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850500" first="Adama" last="Sanogo"]</strong> was a consensus top-100 recruit. The 2021 class is filled with solid forwards with Villanova commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850499" first="Trey" last="Patterson"]</strong> headlining the group. Here are the top 2021 forward prospects with the most to gain in 2020-21.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900335" first="Derrick" last="Bueno"], 6’5 SF/PF Paramus Catholic</strong></p> <p>Bueno was a double-double machine for the Paladins as he had 25 of them last season. The 6’5 forward has a nice touch around the basket and can beat his man off the bounce. Bueno has range that extends past the three-point line and can handle the ball on the perimeter. He is a force on the glass and is one of the top shot-blockers in Bergen County. Bueno has the potential to get significant time right away in college and another strong season would solidify that status.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900298" first="Kyle" last="Rhoden"], 6’9 PF Ranney</strong></p> <p>Rhoden picked up an offer from Boston U at the conclusion of the 2019-20 season, but he has the potential to have a much bigger list of suitors. The 6’9 forward is one of the top shot-blockers in the class as he uses his size, length and athleticism to swat shots around the rim. Rhoden plays with good footwork down low and has a nice touch around the basket. He has an underrated handle and has shown the ability to knock down shots from behind the arc. Rhoden is a talented forward prospect who is in store for a big senior campaign for Ranney.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900308" first="Wesley" last="Robinson"], 6’6 PF Life Center Academy</strong></p> <p>Robinson had a good debut season for Life Center Academy and is looking to build on that success in 2020-21. The 6’6 point forward is at his best attacking the basket as he can finish through contact and score with either hand. Robinson has a good handle and knows how to get his teammates involved in the halfcourt. He is tough to keep off the offensive glass and is an underrated shot-blocker. Robinson will be looking for another big season at Life Center Academy to cement his status as one of the top point forwards in New Jersey.</p> <p><strong>Zubiar Lee, 6’5 SF Eastern</strong></p> <p>The Vikings will sorely miss Susquehanna commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896459" first="Noah" last="Klinewski"]</strong> in 2020-21, but Lee is ready to be the guy. The lanky 6’5 forward is hard to keep off the glass and knows how to finish around the basket. Lee has a solid mid-range game and has shown the ability to knock down shots from behind the arc. He is one of the top defenders in the class with his combination of size, length and athleticism. Lee is one of the better players in the Olympic Conference and is looking to cement that status next season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900363" first="Aidan" last="Kehoe"], 6’10 PF Pascack Hills</strong></p> <p>The Cowboys made it all the way to the North Jersey 1 Group 2 final and they should be in contention again with Kehoe back down low. The 6’10 big man has a good shooting stroke as he has a nice mid-range jumper and can knock down free throws late in games. Kehoe has a nice touch around the basket and knows how to finish through contact. He is one of the top shot-blockers in the 2021 class due to his combination of length, size and positioning. Kehoe has the potential to be one of the top players in the Big North next season and is ready for a strong 2020-21 campaign.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Players to Watch:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="933639" first="Ryan" last="Smith"], 6’4 SF Robbinsville</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="929522" first="Maurice" last="Johnson"], 6’4 SF St.Joseph (Metuchen)</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="933735" first="Stefano" last="Faloppa"], 6’8 SF Holy Cross Prep</strong></p>