2022 Prospects Ready for a Big Junior Season
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The 2022 class had plenty of big-time moments throughout the 2019-20 season. Jayden Pierre Jayden Pierre 6'2" | PG Long Island Lutheran | 2022 State #109 Nation NY hit the game-winning shot for Elizabeth in the North Jersey 2 Group…
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Continue ReadingThe 2022 class had plenty of big-time moments throughout the 2019-20 season. Jayden Pierre Jayden Pierre 6'2" | PG Long Island Lutheran | 2022 State #109 Nation NY hit the game-winning shot for Elizabeth in the North Jersey 2 Group 4 title game against Watchung Hills. Manasquan’s Ben Roy Ben Roy 6'2" | PG Manasquan | 2022 State #218 Nation NJ was named Shore Conference Player of the Year and was second team All-State. Will Richardson Will Richardson 6'2" | PG Bergen Catholic | 2022 State #76 Nation NJ and Mark Armstrong Mark Armstrong 6'2" | PG St. Peter's Prep | 2022 State #39 Nation NJ were both selected to third team All-State after big seasons for Bergen Catholic and St. Peter’s Prep, respectively. Here are the top 2022 prospects in line for big junior seasons.
Zion Cruz Zion Cruz 6'4" | SG Patrick School | 2022 #26 Nation CA-S , 6’3 CG Hudson Catholic
Cruz was on pace for a big sophomore season before missing time due to injury. The 6’3 combo guard is one of the top athletes in the 2022 class and knows how to finish above the rim. Cruz is hard to contain off the bounce as he has a lightning quick first step. He is capable of knocking down shots from behind the arc and can take over a game at any time. The Hawks had a good season in 2019-20, but bigger things are yet to come with Cruz playing in the backcourt.
Corey Floyd Jr Corey Floyd Jr 6'4" | SG Roselle Catholic | 2022 NJ ., 6’3 SG Roselle Catholic
Floyd Jr. started for Roselle Catholic this season, but was not asked to me a go-to scorer with CJ Wilcher CJ Wilcher 6'5" | SG Roselle Catholic | 2020 #95 Nation NJ and Cliff Omoruyi Cliff Omoruyi 6'11" | C Roselle Catholic | 2020 #56 Nation NJ on the floor. The Lions will need him to up his scoring as both players are graduating along with Florida commit Niels Lane Niels Lane 6'5" | PG Roselle Catholic | 2020 State #72 Nation NJ , Binghamton commit Richie Greaves Richie Greaves 6'0" | PG Roselle Catholic | 2020 State NJ and Ahmad Robinson Ahmad Robinson 5'11" | PG Roselle Catholic | 2020 State NJ . Floyd Jr. is a versatile guard who can get to the basket and knock down perimeter jump shots. He is a tough on-ball defender and a good passer, evidenced by his perfect baseball pass to Wilcher to beat Manasquan at the Boardwalk Showcase. Floyd Jr. has been a key contributor for Roselle Catholic the last two seasons and is ready to take a staring role in 2019-20.
Lual Manyang Lual Manyang 6'10" | C Blair Academy | 2022 State #232 Nation NJ , 6’10 C Blair Academy
Kyle Cuffee Jr. Kyle Cuffee Jr. 6'2" | CG Blair Academy | 2021 #161 Nation NJ is the more well-known sophomore on Blair, but Manyang has a chance to break out in 2020-21. The 6’10 center plays with a high motor as he runs the floor hard and rarely takes a play off. Manyang has a nice touch around the basket and can step away from the basket to knock down jumpers. Luke Kolaja Luke Kolaja 6'8" | PF Blair Academy | 2020 State #387 Nation NJ and junior Akoldah Gak Akoldah Gak 6'11" | C Blair Academy | 2021 State NJ played in front of Manyang last season. With Kolaja heading to Yale, Manyang is primed to start alongside Gak in 2020-21.
Julian Brown Julian Brown 6'1" | PG Bergen Catholic | 2022 State NJ , 5’11 PG Bergen Catholic
Brown averaged 17.7 points per game for the defending Non-Public A North champions, but did not get enough recognition for his work this season. The 5’11 guard had ten 20-point games for the Crusaders, including a season-high 32 points on the road against rival St. Joseph (Mont.). Brown is fearless attacking the basket and is capable of getting hot in a hurry from distance. He is a solid on-ball defender and has a good chemistry with Richardson. Brown was one of the top guards in Non-Public A last season and that should continue in 2020-21.
Dionte Johnson Dionte Johnson 6'0" | PG Patrick School | 2022 State NJ , 6’0 PG Patrick School
Noah Farrakhan Noah Farrakhan 6'1" | PG The Patrick School | 2020 #159 Nation NJ ran the point for the Celtics in 2019-20, but Johnson started alongside him for most of the season. The 6’0 guard has good handles and uses his speed to blow by his defender in the half court. Johnson plays with his head up and makes plays when he gets in the lane. He moves his feet well on the defensive end and has quick hands. Farrakhan and Kirk Parsons Kirk Parsons 6'0" | PG Patrick School | 2020 State NJ will both be graduating this season, leaving Johnson to man the point for the Celtics next season.
Other Names to Know:
Elmarko Jackson, 6’3 PG St. Augustine
Otega Oweh Otega Oweh 6'4" | SG Blair Academy | 2022 State #91 Nation NJ , 6’3 SG Rutgers Prep
David Olaniyi David Olaniyi 5'10" | PG Newark East Side | 2022 State NJ , 5’10 PG Newark East Side
Charles Anyichie, 6’7 PF Ranney School
Ryan Zan, 6’5 PF Ranney School
Donovan Long Donovan Long 6'6" | SF Rutgers Prep | 2022 State NJ , 6’6 SF Marist