Non-Public B Big Men with the Most to Prove
Non-Public B has been the most competitive division in New Jersey basketball for years. The last five winners of the Tournament of Champions have hailed from Non-Public B while now-closed St. Anthony’s has the most with 13 Tournament of Champions’…
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Continue ReadingNon-Public B has been the most competitive division in New Jersey basketball for years. The last five winners of the Tournament of Champions have hailed from Non-Public B while now-closed St. Anthony’s has the most with 13 Tournament of Champions’ trophies. Some of the Garden State’s top big men reside in Non-Public B, creating a huge hole down low. Here are the top Non-Public B big men with the most to prove.
Chris Jiao Chris Jiao 6'11" | C Patrick School | 2021 State NJ , 6’11 C Patrick School 2021
The Celtics were one of the top teams in the state all season, but they have to replace Adama Sanogo Adama Sanogo 6'9" | PF Patrick School | 2020 NJ and Jonathan Kuminga Jonathan Kuminga 6'8" | SF Patrick School | 2020 #1 Nation NJ . Samson Johnson Samson Johnson 6'10" | PF Patrick School | 2021 State #145 Nation NJ was selected to the All Non-Public third team, but he cannot be the only big man for the Patrick School. Jiao is a talented big man with a nice touch around the basket and range that extends past the three-point line. He moves his feet well on the defensive end and is a good rebounder. The Patrick School should be one of the top teams in New Jersey again in 2020-21 with Jiao receiving a more prominent role on offense.
Aaron Bradshaw Aaron Bradshaw 7'0" | PF Camden | 2023 State #10 Nation NJ , 6’11 PF Roselle Catholic 2023
NJ Gatorade Player of the Year Cliff Omoruyi Cliff Omoruyi 6'11" | C Roselle Catholic | 2020 #56 Nation NJ was a rock for the Lions all season long as he helped lead them to their third straight Non-Public B North title. His presence will be sorely missed, but Bradshaw has the talent to make up for his absence. The 6’11 forward has a good face-up game and has a good-looking jump shot. Bradshaw also has a nice touch around the basket and is one of the top shot-blockers in the 2023 class. Roselle Catholic has a good young nucleus in Corey Floyd Jr Corey Floyd Jr 6'4" | SG Roselle Catholic | 2022 NJ ., Simeon Wilcher Simeon Wilcher 6'4" | PG Roselle Catholic | 2023 State #17 Nation NJ , Jadin Collins Jadin Collins 6'1" | PG Rutgers Prep | 2023 State NJ and Maurice McKnight Maurice McKnight 5'10" | PG Hudson Catholic | 2023 State NJ , but Bradshaw’s presence down low is the difference maker.
Nick Montalbano, 6’7 C Wildwood Catholic Academy 2022
The Crusaders warded off their demons from 2018-19 by knocking off top seeded Rutgers Prep 80-67 in the Non-Public B South final. All-State performers Taj Thweatt Taj Thweatt 6'7" | PF Wildwood Catholic | 2020 State #180 Nation NJ and Jahlil White Jahlil White 6'6" | SG Wildwood Catholic | 2020 State #258 Nation NJ are both graduating, which creates a big hole down low. Montalbano was used sparingly, but will be asked to step up in a big way. The rugged 6’7 forward works hard down low and scraps for rebounds on every possession. Martin Anguelov Martin Anguelov 6'1" | PG Wildwood Catholic | 2021 State NJ and DaSean Lopez DaSean Lopez 6'3" | CG Wildwood Catholic | 2021 State NJ return for Wildwood Catholic Academy, but the Crusaders need Montalbano to elevate his game in 2020-21.
Drew Kania, 6’7 PF Gill St. Bernard’s 2022
The Knights have been one of the top programs in Somerset County over the past five years, but they will need to replace Princeton commit Zach Martini Zach Martini 6'7" | PF Gill St. Bernard's | 2020 State #349 Nation NJ down low. Star freshman Mackenzie Mgbako Mackenzie Mgbako 6'8" | SF Roselle Catholic | 2023 State #5 Nation NJ is ready for a bigger role on offense, while Kania is ready for a full-time starting job. The 6’7 forward has a nice touch around the basket and moves well off the ball. Kania has range that extends to the three-point line and is not afraid to put the ball on the floor. The Knights should compete for the Somerset County Tournament title again in 2020-21 with their interior duo of Mgbako and Kania.
Stefano Faloppa Stefano Faloppa 6'8" | SF Holy Cross Prep | 2022 OH , 6’8 SF Holy Cross Prep 2021
Faloppa is more of a wing player, but he may be thrust into more of an interior role with the graduation of Giovanni Cessel Giovanni Cessel 6'9" | C Holy Cross Prep | 2021 State PA . The Italian native has a smooth offensive game as he is a good passer and ball-handler. Faloppa can finish through contact and has a nice mid-range game. He is a good defender as he uses his length and instincts to make plays. Holy Cross Prep will sorely miss Cessel and Delaware commit Gianmarco Arletti Gianmarco Arletti 6'6" | SF Holy Cross Prep | 2020 State NJ , but Faloppa is ready for an expanded offensive role in 2020-21.