2022 Top Newcomers to the Garden State

<p>The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the landscape of high school basketball in the Garden State with numerous players being on the move. This includes prospects coming into New Jersey for high school basketball. Patrick School’s <strong>Zion Cruz </strong>is the biggest transfer name, but he is ineligible for this list as he never actually played for Oak Hill Academy. Here are the top 2022 newcomers to the Garden State.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="990936" first="Quadir" last="Copeland"], 6’5 CG Life Center Academy</strong></p> <p>Copeland had made a name for himself at Gettysburg Area High School before his transfer to Life Center in the offseason. The 6’5 combo guard plays with great floor vision as he will most likely end up playing as a lead guard at the next level. Copeland is a problem once he gets into the lane as he can finish above the rim or lay off to cutters. He has a nice release on his jumper and his length allows him to defend multiple positions. Copeland is a skilled guard prospect who should have a big first season for Life Center Academy.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1045718" first="Isaiah" last="Earl"], 6’8 SF/PF St. Benedict’s</strong></p> <p>The Grey Bees are consistently one of the top teams in New Jersey and they should be again with the addition of Earl. The Lee Academy transfer can handle the ball on the perimeter as he is capable of getting by his defender. Earl is at his best attacking the basket in transition where he can use his athleticism to either finish above the rim or draw contact close to the basket. He is an underrated passer and uses his athleticism to swat shots. Earl’s ability to finish around the basket is key for a talented St. Benedict’s roster.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="904675" first="Dut" last="Kuol"], 6’10 C Olympus Prep</strong></p> <p>Kuol transferred into Olympus Prep from National Christian Academy and should make an impact right away. The lanky 6’10 forward runs the floor hard and uses his long arms to swat shots around the basket. Kuol fights for rebounds on both ends of the floor and has a nice touch around the basket. He is working on his range and knows how to set good screens in the pick and roll game. Kuol’s length and shot-blocking are something that the Olympus Prep team will need for the coming season.</p> <p><strong>Zaire Wells, 6’5 SG St. Benedict’s</strong></p> <p>The second Grey Bee to make this list, Wells looks to make an impact right away. The South Shore transfer has a good handle and is a good finisher around the basket. Wells has the athleticism to finish above the rim, but can also knock down jumpers from behind the arc. He is an underrated passer and has the ability to defend multiple positions. St. Benedict’s has an absolutely loaded roster, but Wells’ talent should allow him to have a strong 2020-21 season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1039789" first="Luigi" last="Edoardo Tamborino"], 6’10 PF Morris Catholic</strong></p> <p>Morris Catholic had a tough 2019-20 season, but they got a major boost with the addition of Edoardo Tamborino. The 6’10 Italian native plays with good footwork down low and knows how to get position around the basket. Edoardo Tamborino has a nice touch around the basket and does not mind finishing through contact. He is a good rebounder and uses his length to make a difference on the defensive end. Edoardo Tamborino’s ability to score around the basket could make Morris Catholic a darkhorse team in Morris County this season.</p>