2022 Prospects with big shoes to fill

<p>The 2022 class in New Jersey is loaded with high-end talent. Hudson Catholic’s <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="787610" first="Zion" last="Cruz"] </strong>is seen as one of the top players in the nation, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850662" first="Will" last="Richardson"], [player_tooltip player_id="850664" first="Mark" last="Armstrong"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901942" first="Ben" last="Roy"]</strong> were all named to an All-State team. While all these sophomores had starring roles for their teams in 2019-20, there are some who will take over the spotlight this season. Here are the top 2022 prospects with the biggest shoes to fill.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="787644" first="Jaquan" last="Harris"], 6’4 SG St. Thomas Aquinas</strong></p> <p>It’s hard to say that a player named first team All-GMC has big shoes to fill, but that is the case with Harris. Wake Forest commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850329" first="Quadry" last="Adams"] </strong>was a driving force for the Trojans all season long and was selected to third team All-State. Harris can score at all three levels and is unafraid of taking the ball to the basket. He has a good first step and utilizes his height to see over his defender and run the offense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850510" first="Tristan" last="Jeffries"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850512" first="Josh" last="Rivera"]</strong> should ease the pain for St. Thomas Aquinas, but Harris is the man running the show for the Trojans in 2020-21.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="787669" first="Corey" last="Floyd Jr"]., 6’2 PG Roselle Catholic</strong></p> <p>Floyd Jr.’s placement on the list was inevitable as the Lions graduate the majority of their backcourt from last season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="766099" first="CJ" last="Wilcher"], [player_tooltip player_id="766102" first="Niels" last="Lane"], [player_tooltip player_id="850351" first="Richie" last="Greaves"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896624" first="Ahmad" last="Robinson"]</strong> were all seniors, which creates a starting opportunity in the backcourt. Floyd Jr. is one of the top two-way guards in the class as he is a tough defender and underrated perimeter shooter. He is also a solid passer and has a good chemistry with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850752" first="Simeon" last="Wilcher"]</strong>. Roselle Catholic will need someone to take a leadership role in 2020-21 and Floyd Jr. is ready to do that.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850674" first="David" last="Olaniyi"]/ [player_tooltip player_id="901950" first="Jahzeer" last="Gaskin"], 5’10 PG Newark East Side</strong></p> <p>The Red Raiders did not have as good of a season as they expected, but they are losing one of the top players in Essex County in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850338" first="Mikah" last="Johnson Jr."]</strong> The Monmouth commit was named second team All-Group 4 after averaging over 15 points per game. Olaniyi and Gaskin had solid sophomore seasons as they did their roles admirably. The former ran the offense for Newark East Side while the latter was the team’s top three-point shooter. The Red Raiders will need their sophomore guards to step up their scoring if they want to contend for a Group 4 title in 2020-21.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901943" first="Dionte" last="Johnson"], 6’0 PG Patrick School</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="828326" first="Noah" last="Farrakhan"] </strong>is the top uncommitted guard in the senior class and the Celtics will miss his leadership in 2020-21. Johnson is a quick point guard who can beat his man off the dribble. He is a good on-ball defender and does not seem to panic when the ball is in hands. Johnson is a solid passer and learned how to run an offense by playing alongside Farrakhan this season. The Celtics were one of the top teams in New Jersey last year and will look to continue their success with Johnson at point guard next season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901987" first="Aaron" last="Carter"], 6’0 PG Don Bosco Prep</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901993" first="Isaiah" last="Edmond"] </strong>is also an option here as the Ironmen have to replace one of the top point guards in Bergen County in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850355" first="Myles" last="Ruth"]</strong>. Carter has a good chemistry with Edmond and already has experience running the offense. The 6’0 point guard has a quick first step and knows how to make plays in the lane. Carter is a tough on-ball defender and is a solid passer. Don Bosco Prep needs Carter to run the offense smoothly if the Ironmen want to be one of the top teams in Bergen County in 2020-21.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Names to Know:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901975" first="Zy’ree" last="Beverly"], 6’6 PF Elizabeth</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901991" first="Dante" last="Weise"], 5’9 PG Allentown</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="931024" first="Tommy" last="Mooney"], 6’1 PG Haddonfield</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="931032" first="Jamaal" last="Morris"], 5’10 PG Burlington City</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901994" first="Josiah" last="Brown"], 5’8 PG New Brunswick</strong></p>