2023 Breakout Prospects
The 2019-20 season was filled with big-time moments from freshmen as Camden’s Dajuan Wagner Jr Dajuan Wagner Jr 6'4" | PG Camden | 2023 State #1 Nation NJ . was selected to second team All-State. Mackenzie Mgabko helped Gill St. Bernard’s reach…
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Continue ReadingThe 2019-20 season was filled with big-time moments from freshmen as Camden’s Dajuan Wagner Jr Dajuan Wagner Jr 6'4" | PG Camden | 2023 State #1 Nation NJ . was selected to second team All-State. Mackenzie Mgabko helped Gill St. Bernard’s reach the final, while Simeon Wilcher Simeon Wilcher 6'4" | PG Roselle Catholic | 2023 State #17 Nation NJ had big time moments for the Rosellec Catholic this season. Darrien Grady Darrien Grady 5'9" | PG Shipley School | 2023 State PA led all New Jersey freshmen in scoring at over 24 points per game this season. While these freshmen had big moments during their first varsity season, there are other freshmen waiting to burst out onto the scene. Here are the top 2023 breakout prospects for the 2020-21 season.
Akil Watson Akil Watson 6'7" | SF Roselle Catholic | 2023 State #105 Nation NJ , 6’7 SF Don Bosco Prep
Watson was a starter for the Ironmen this season, but he was not viewed as the primary scoring option. That should change next season as Brendan Mykalcio Brendan Mykalcio 6'5" | SF Patrick School National | 2021 State NJ and Myles Ruth Myles Ruth 6'1" | PG Don Bosco Prep | 2020 State NJ will have both graduated. Watson is a skilled perimeter player with the ability to score from inside and out. He dropped a career-high 23 points against Marist, but failed to grab 10 rebounds in a game. Watson has the potential to be one of the top forwards in Bergen County next season and should be a double-double threat in his sophomore season.
Ty-laur Johnson, 5’10 PG St. Benedict’s
Johnson was a key contributor for the Grey Bees last season, but he will shoulder a greater load in 2020-21. NJIT commit Adetokundo Bakare Adetokundo Bakare 6'1" | PG St. Benedict's | 2020 State NJ was one of the top floor generals in New Jersey this season, while E.J. Evans E.J. Evans 6'4" | SG St. Benedict's | 2020 State NJ , Barra Njie Barra Njie 6'2" | PG St. Benedict's | 2020 State NJ and Nicholas Black Nicholas Black 6'3" | SG St. Benedict's | 2020 State NJ are also graduating. Johnson is a lightning quick guard who knows how to put his teammates in the right spots on offense. He knows how to attack the basket and is a pesky on-ball defender. Johnson will be called upon to be a leader in the backcourt for St. Benedict’s next season.
Cornelius Robinson Cornelius Robinson 6'6" | SF Camden | 2023 State #253 Nation NJ , 6’4 SF Camden
Camden already had a pair of dynamic freshmen in Wagner and Cian Medley Cian Medley 6'0" | PG Camden | 2023 State NJ , but Robinson created an impact off the bench. He was one of the first forwards off the bench and provided head coach Rick Brunson with great energy. Robinson is unafraid to scrap down low for rebounds and has a nice touch around the basket. The Panthers lose Kentucky commit Lance Ware Lance Ware 6'9" | PF Camden | 2020 #42 Nation NJ to graduation and need someone down low next to Ta’Quan Woodley Ta’Quan Woodley 6'7" | PF Camden | 2021 State #221 Nation NJ . Robinson has the ability to do so with the energy he brings on both ends.
Delroy Smith Delroy Smith 6'7" | PF Hillside | 2023 State NJ , 6’5 PF Newark East Side
Monmouth commit Mikah Johnson Jr. Mikah Johnson Jr. 6'4" | SG Newark East Side | 2020 State NJ was one of the top swingmen in Essex County this season and the Red Raiders need someone to replace his production. Quatrell Wilson Quatrell Wilson 6'5" | SF Newark East Side | 2023 State NJ and Nasir Wheeler Nasir Wheeler 5'9" | PG Newark East Side | 2023 State NJ are intriguing candidates, but Smith has to be the pick. The 6’5 forward has a nice touch around the basket and is unafraid to mix it up down low. Smith knows how to use his body down low and is an underratd shot-blocker. The Red Raiders are looking for a bounce-back season in 2020-21 and Smith’s emergence in the post would lead the way.
Jadin Collins Jadin Collins 6'1" | PG Rutgers Prep | 2023 State NJ , PG Roselle Catholic
The Lions won their third consecutive Non-Public B North title, but they will have to replace CJ Wilcher CJ Wilcher 6'5" | SG Roselle Catholic | 2020 #95 Nation NJ , Niels Lane Niels Lane 6'5" | PG Roselle Catholic | 2020 State #72 Nation NJ , 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 in the backcourt. Corey Floyd Jr Corey Floyd Jr 6'4" | SG Roselle Catholic | 2022 NJ . and the younger Wilcher should be the starters for head coach Dave Boff, but watch out for Collins. The freshman point guard is a tough on-ball defender as he caused problems for Shore Conference Player of the Year Ben Roy Ben Roy 6'2" | PG Manasquan | 2022 State #218 Nation NJ in the Hoop Group Boardwalk Showcase. Collins is lightning quick and is a solid passer. Maurice McKnight Maurice McKnight 5'10" | PG Hudson Catholic | 2023 State NJ and Aaron Bradshaw were also considerations as the Lions look to win their fourth straight Non-Public B North title next season.
Other Names to Know:
Elijah Gertrude Elijah Gertrude 6'4" | SG Hudson Catholic | 2023 State #145 Nation NJ , 6’0 PG Hudson Catholic
Jayden Williams Jayden Williams 6'0" | PG Blair Academy | 2024 State NJ , 5’9 PG Blair
Jalen Robinson, 5’10 PG Columbia
Jahmir Smith Jahmir Smith 6'0" | PG Centennial Highschool | 2023 GA , 5’8 PG Holy Spirit