Dark Horse Candidates for Player of the Year
Teams have not started playing any competitive games yet, but there is already a debate for NJ.com’s Player of the Year. Jonathan Kuminga is the favorite as he is arguably one of the best players in the nation. Roselle Catholic’s trio of Cliff…
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Continue ReadingTeams have not started playing any competitive games yet, but there is already a debate for NJ.com’s Player of the Year. Jonathan Kuminga is the favorite as he is arguably one of the best players in the nation. Roselle Catholic’s trio of Cliff Omoruyi, C.J. Wilcher and Niels Lane are solid options, along with Matt Zona from Bergen Catholic. NJ.com has normally awarded the Player of the Year to the Tournament of Champions and that trend should continue in 2019-20. Here are some dark horse candidates for the Player of the Year in New Jersey.
Taj Thweatt, 6’7 PF Wildwood Catholic 2020
The West Virginia commit is the only returning player from last year’s All-State teams. Thweatt is a terrific post player that can score in a variety of ways. He has a soft touch around the basket, can break down his defender off the bounce and knock down perimeter jump shots. Thweatt plays well off of Temple commit Jahlil White as the West Virginia commit is also a solid passer. Wildwood Catholic was minutes away from winning Non-Public B South and will need to win it this season to give Thweatt a chance to win Player of the Year.
Jamir Watkins, 6’7 SF Trenton Catholic 2020
Watkins averaged over 18 points per game last season, but that number should climb with the graduation of Khalif Battle. The VCU commit excels at attacking the basket as he uses his strong frame to draw contact. He can knock down contested jump shots and rarely plays out of control on offense. Watkins is also an underrated defender as he gobbles up rebounds and alters shots around the basket. Trenton Catholic is one of the top teams in the state, which provides Watkins the opportunity to take home the award.
Noah Farrakhan, 6’1 PG Patrick School 2020
It may seem weird to pick someone other than Kuminga on the Patrick School, but Farrakhan is a special point guard. The IMG Academy transfer is electric in the open floor as he loves to push the ball up in transition. Farrakhan has elite handles which he uses to break down his defender in the halfcourt. He can score around the rim, knock down shots from behind the arc and finish through contact around the rim. Farrakhan knows how to win after spending his junior season at IMG, which could give him the edge over Kuminga in the Player of the Year race.
Lance Ware, 6’9 PF Camden 2020
Ware spearheads the top public school squad in New Jersey, making him an easy Player of the Year candidate. He plays with relentless energy on both ends and never seems to take a play off. The Kentucky commit is a solid passer out of the post and has a soft touch around the basket. His athleticism makes him a force on the defensive end. Camden has the opportunity to make a deep run in the Tournament of Champions, which could catapult Ware to the Player of the Year.
Other Names to Know:
Trey Patterson, 6’7 SF Rutgers Prep 2021
Mikah Johnson Jr., 6’4 SG Newark East Side 2020
Mark Armstrong, 6’1 PG St. Peter’s Prep 2022
Zach Martini, 6’7 PF Gill St. Bernard’s 2020
Will Richardson, 6’2 PG Bergen Catholic 2022