2023 Breakout Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have focused quite a bit on the under-the-radar talent in the Garden State this week. Several of the players we feature in this piece played supporting roles last season and will be tasked with stepping into leadership roles, while others took on leadership roles as juniors and will be expected to carry the burden for their respective programs once again as seniors but have flown under the eye of scouts and coaches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013066' first='Respect' last='Tyleek']</strong> | G | Jackson Memorial</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tyleek transferred from Lakewood along with [player_tooltip player_id='933644' first='Samir' last='Padilla'] and formed a solid backcourt for the Jags last winter. A solid defender who is quick and active with his hands. A good ballhandler and a slasher. He had some moments against Holmdel(19) and Trenton(17), but consistency is going to be a key driver for his senior year and further interest from the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013086' first='Nate' last='Pluviose']</strong> | 5'11” | G | Pope John</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A smooth operator in the backcourt who can beat defenders off the dribble and get to the basket. He's a tough defender and puts in the work on that side of the ball. Offensively, he's shown flashes of his potential, scoring 25 vs Immaculate Conception and 22 vs Sparta as a junior. He'll make a run for 1,000 pts this coming winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1150545' first='Nick' last='Losada']</strong> | 6'2” | G | Gill St Bernards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The transfer bug bit Gill hard this summer and Losada, a role player last year, will be expected to now step into a more leadership role. He's a hustle player who can also facilitate and has a nice release on his shot. He had 11 vs St Thomas Aquinas, which showed his potential, but to keep GSB churning, he'll have to match or exceed that output every night. A good senior year should bring plenty of D3 interest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1401568' first='Roman' last='Santos']</strong> | 6'5” | F | South River</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South River could make a run at a divisional and sectional title this coming season and Santos is one of the key pieces of the puzzle. He had a breakout junior year, averaging 15 ppg for a very balanced Rams team. He stepped into a leadership role in a win over Middlesex, going for 19. A strong player who can beat defenders off the dribble or in the post. He's an interesting prospect that D3 coaches should take a look at.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1466411' first='Isiah' last='Stang']</strong> | 5'8 “ | G | Fort Lee</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A good ballhandler who was a leader for Fort Lee as a junior. In spite of his smaller frame and stature, he attacks the basket ferociously and can utilize his basketball IQ to weave by defenders. He can score at multiple levels and is a rugged defender who at just 5'8” managed to grab 100 boards, leading Fort Lee to an 18 win season. D3 schools should have an eye on him this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->