2026 Big North Prospects to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school basketball season in New Jersey is right around the corner as tryouts start on Wednesday. The Big North is one of the deepest conferences in New Jersey as it has multiple teams with the ability to make deep runs in the state tournament. The 2026 class has prospects who are ready to take a step up this season, especially in the Big North. Here are the 2026 prospects to watch in the Big North.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595675' first='Julius' last='Avent'], 6'6 SF Bergen Catholic</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Avent has had a strong summer and is looking to carry it over into the winter. The 6'6 wing attacks the basket strong as he finishes well above the rim and can make shots through contact. Avent plays with poise on the ball as he rarely gets rattled by on-ball pressure and rises up with confidence on his jumper. He has the length to defend multiple positions on the floor and pushes the pace well on defense. Avent's versatility is something that will help his stock throughout the 2023-24 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1874042' first='Micah' last='Pierce'], 6'3 SG Paterson Kennedy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pierce has the potential to take a jump this season as he should get more touches on the offensive end. The 6'3 guard has a smooth release on his jumper and can get hot from distance in a hurry. Pierce moves well without the ball in his hands, freeing himself for open layups and jumpers in the halfcourt. He can also put the ball on the floor and slides his feet on the defensive end. Pierce is a sharpshooting guard prospect, whose ability to torch the nets is something that will help the Knights throughout the season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595668' first='AJ' last='Williams'], 6'7 SF Bergen Catholic</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams is one of the most intriguing prospects in the class with his combination of skill and length. The 6'7 wing has a good first step, which he uses to beat his defender off the bounce and finishes strong above the rim. Williams uses his size to see over his defender and rises up nicely on his jumper. He has the length to defend multiple positions on the floor and is an underrated passer. Williams is a talented wing prospect, who should put up big numbers this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1788774' first='Mickell' last='Taylor Jr'], 6'0 PG Teaneck</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor Jr will shoulder the scoring load this season, which will help his stock in 2023-24. The 6'0 guard has a clean shooting stroke as he wastes little motion and can knock down triples in bunches. Taylor is more than just a shooter as he can also get to the rim off the bounce and can finish through contact. He has the ability to play off the ball as well and gets deflections on the defensive end. Taylor Jr will have the ball in his hands more this season as he looks to lead the Highwaymen back to the sectional final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603412' first='Keiner' last='Asprilla'], 6'11 C Don Bosco Prep</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Asprilla led the 15U EYBL in rebounding this summer and will be looking to carry over that play into the winter. The 6'11 post is a force on the glass as he is tough to boxout on both ends of the floor and uses his size to get position down low. Asprilla finishes with authority around the basket and draws contact down low. He swats almost everything around the basket and runs the floor hard. Asprilla is a physical post prospect who is primed for a breakout 2023-24 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Other Prospects to Watch:</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1788755' first='Jaden' last='Mason'], 6'0 PG Paterson Kennedy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1775140' first='Jamiko' last='Smith'], 5'10 PG Hackensack</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1788757' first='Justin' last='Bethea'], 5'11 CG Paterson Eastside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2196299' first='Quran' last='Smith'], 6'0 PG Paramus Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2107943' first='JP' last='Skoric'], 6'3 SG Don Bosco Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->