Under The Radar 2023 Lead Guards

Alex Fydryszewski

August 4, 2022 @ 02:48 PM

New Jersey's senior class is absolutely loaded for the Class of 2023 and no rankings, be they Prep Hoops or anywhere else, accurately explains the true depth of talent. Conversations of late with college coaches, scouts and former players this author has had lend the consensus that there could be, legitimately, 200+ seniors in the state who are college basketball players--Now, some will play football, some will play soccer, some won't play anything--but the depth is there and it's off the charts.     Today, we look at some of the lead guards whom colleges should be taking more elevated interest in.     [player_tooltip player_id='1270515' first='Brandon' last='Dean'] | 5'11” | G | South Plainfield   An explosive scorer who was the unquestioned leader and star for South Plainfield last year, leading them to a 23-6 season, one of their best in school history. Rock solid ball handler with a soft touch on his shot and can create his own shot as well. Great first step to the rim. Over 600 pts as a junior, including 37 vs Spotswood, 36 vs Pingry, 24 vs St Joes and Colonia. He's within striking distance of breaking the SPHS scoring record, held by Marquis Jones(2005) at 1,436 pts. If the 2020-2021 season was a full one, he'd probably have already broken it or been right at the doorstep. Colleges should be VERY interested.   [player_tooltip player_id='902757' first='Jalen' last='Robinson'] | 5'10” | G | Columbia(Maplewood)   One of the top returning guards in Essex County. He's a fearless guard who drive sat bigger defenders with confidence and is a smooth operator around the rim. He could pass 1,000 pts as a senior and had several impressive games as a junior: 24 vs Newark Central, 22 vs Newark East Side and 20 vs Immaculate Conception. A prospect that colleges should have interest in.   [player_tooltip player_id='1269887' first='Marc' last='Herasme'] | 5'11” | G |Don Bosco Prep   Part of an absolutely loaded Bosco backcourt, Herasme's stats aren't going to jump off the page, but he's a fantastic athlete, quick off the dribble and can handle and facilitate within their offensive set. He moves the ball well and knows his role within their system. He had 12 vs Mater Dei and 10 vs Paramus Catholic last year. Solid player who should have a significant amount of college interest throughout his senior year.   Chima Okeoma | 5'10” | G | Union Catholic   A big shift in Union County outside of the RC power moves was Okeoma making a move from Plainfield to Union Catholic. He'll be a leader for the Vikes this coming winter. A sharpshooting guard who gets hot in a hurry and is at his best floating around the perimeter. Good first step and he can get at the basket well. Okeoma had 33 on Edison, 25 on Linden and 20 vs East Side and Roselle Catholic. His move to UC maximizes his exposure as a senior and he'll be tested every single night.  Colleges should like his scoring ability---and you never pass up Watchung Conference guards.   [player_tooltip player_id='1396264' first='Elijah' last='Motley'] | 6'0” | G | Linden   After playing a supporting role in his junior year to Nigel Merville, Motley will be tasked with a bigger boulder to carry as a senior. He's creative, a good ballhandler and a crafty passer who finds spaces to make offense happen. He's a quick releasing shooter and works hardest on defense. He has 16 vs Egg Harbor and 13 vs Union as a junior. Latest in a long lineage of Linden guards going back to the 1950s. Linden has always had guards. Colleges should be very interested…. because you never pass up Watchung Conference guards.   [player_tooltip player_id='1466415' first='Matt' last='Nervi'] |6'1” | G | Scotch Plains-Fanwood   Drove the bus as a junior for Steve Siracusa as SPF began righting the ship. A good shooter who can pull up in transition and a great old school head fake that gets defenders off their feet. Knows how to run the fast break to the foul line and can move the ball. Averaged 14 as a junior with solid games vs Union Catholic(24) and Summit(21). He appears to be a coach's dream as far as fundamentals go and colleges should be taking notice of that leadership ability---and because…You guessed it! You never pass up Watchung Conference guards.

New Jersey's senior class is absolutely loaded for the Class of 2023 and no rankings, be they Prep Hoops or anywhere else, accurately explains the true depth of talent. Conversations of late with college coaches, scouts and former players this author has had lend the consensus that there could be, legitimately, 200+ seniors in the state who are college basketball players--Now, some will play football, some will play soccer, some won't play anything--but the depth is there and it's off the charts.