Non-Public B: Newcomers to Watch

<p>Non-Public B has owned New Jersey basketball in the 2000’s as they have won 17 of the last 20 Tournament of Champions. It houses some of the top talent in New Jersey in Villanova commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850499" first="Trey" last="Patterson"]</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902732" first="Mackenzie" last="Mgbako"]</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850752" first="Simeon" last="Wilcher"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="787669" first="Corey" last="Floyd Jr"].</strong> Some of the top teams in Non-Public B are adding new faces that should create an impact right away. Here are the top newcomers in Non-Public B.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901974" first="Donovan" last="Long"], 6’5 SF Rutgers Prep 2022</strong></p> <p>The Argonauts were one of the top teams in New Jersey last year, but they to replace <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850340" first="Nico" last="Galette"]</strong>’s production down low. Long looks to be the man for the job after transferring in from Marist. The lanky 6’5 forward plays with a nonstop motor on both ends and uses his length to swat shots around the basket. Long has a nice touch around the rim and knows how to finish through contact. His presence down low should help Rutgers Prep run smoothly in 2020-21.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900336" first="Mike" last="Jackson"], 6’2 CG Hudson Catholic 2021</strong></p> <p>Another Marist transfer, Jackson joins a solid Hudson Catholic team. The 6’2 guard is a knockdown shooter from behind the arc and should play well off <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850515" first="Justin" last="Glover"]</strong>. Jackson is more than just a shooter as he can also handle the ball. He is a solid defender and rips down rebounds. The Hawks have a bunch of talented guards in Glover, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850675" first="Isaiah" last="Griffin"]</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1018561" first="Malcolm" last="Eley"]</strong>, <strong>Tahaad Pettiford</strong> and <strong>Alex Massang</strong>, but Jackson’s ability to shoot and play defense is huge for the Hudson County power.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1025905" first="Jamarques" last="Lawrence"], 6’2 PG Roselle Catholic 2022</strong></p> <p>The Lions are stacked at the guard position and they added more with the addition of Lawrence. The Plainfield transfer is a big-time scorer who can score at all three levels. Lawrence has a nice handle and is a crafty finisher around the basket. He is capable of getting hot from distance in a hurry and is an underrated passer. Roselle Catholic has Floyd Jr., Wilcher, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902756" first="Jadin" last="Collins"], [player_tooltip player_id="902745" first="Maurice" last="McKnight"], </strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1013071" first="Christian" last="Pierre-Louis"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1013097" first="Shayne" last="Hargrove"]</strong> on the team, but Lawrence’s ability to score will be needed this season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902736" first="Isaac" last="Hester"], 6’0 PG Ranney 2023</strong></p> <p>The Panthers did not have a senior on the team in 2019-20 and they add a talented guard in Hester. The Gill St. Bernard’s transfer is a skilled guard capable of blowing past his man in the half court. Hester can finish around the basket and can also knock down shots from the perimeter. He is a good passer and plays tough on-ball defense. Hester’s ability to play on both ends of the floor is key for a Ranney team looking to compete for a Non-Public B South title.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902746" first="Naasir" last="Cunningham"], 6’6 SF Gill St. Bernard’s 2024</strong></p> <p>The Knights should be one of the teams to beat in Non-Public B again and they bring in one of the top freshmen in the state in Cunningham. The 6’6 wing has a good handle and knows how to beat his off the dribble. Cunningham is more than just a slasher as he can also knock down shots from behind the arc. He is capable of playing point at times and is an underrated passer. Gill St. Bernard’s has Mgbako, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850666" first="Denver" last="Anglin"]</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1013045" first="Drew" last="Kania"] </strong>and <strong>Samir Thomas</strong> on the team, but Cunningham’s combination of length, talent and athleticism makes him one to watch in 2020-21.</p>