How does the Class of 2022 change with Zion Cruz’s departure
In this article:
The 2022 class is filled with big time talent, but it suffered a huge blow over the weekend. Hudson Catholic’s star guard Zion Cruz is leaving New Jersey to play at basketball powerhouse Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. The top ranked prospect…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe 2022 class is filled with big time talent, but it suffered a huge blow over the weekend. Hudson Catholic’s star guard Zion Cruz is leaving New Jersey to play at basketball powerhouse Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. The top ranked prospect joins Syracuse commit Dior Johnson to give the Warriors the top backcourt in the 2022 class.
His decision to leave makes Bergen Catholic’s Will Richardson Will Richardson 6'2" | PG Bergen Catholic | 2022 State #76 Nation NJ the new top prospect for New Jersey in the 2022 class. The 6’1 guard was selected to Third Team All-State after helping the Crusaders win their second straight Non-Public A North title. St. Peter’s Prep guard Mark Armstrong Mark Armstrong 6'2" | PG St. Peter's Prep | 2022 State #39 Nation NJ was also named to Third Team All-State and is in contention for the top spot alongside Roselle Catholic’s Corey Floyd Jr Corey Floyd Jr 6'4" | SG Roselle Catholic | 2022 NJ .
St. Thomas Aquinas’ Jaquan Harris Jaquan Harris 6'4" | PG St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State #164 Nation NJ joins the top five for the first time and is the highest ranked off-ball guard in the 2022 class. The 6’4 guard is capable of running the offense, which he might do with Quadry Adams Quadry Adams 6'3" | PG St. Thomas Aquinas | 2020 State #361 Nation NJ heading to Wake Forest. Harris is one of the best kept secrets in New Jersey and could be the prospect who benefits the most from Cruz’s transfer.
His departure leaves the Hawks with a solid guard duo in junior Justin Glover Justin Glover 6'2" | SG Hudson Catholic | 2021 State NJ and sophomore Isaiah Griffin Isaiah Griffin 5'11" | PG Patrick School | 2023 KS , but they need a third guard in the backcourt to emerge to compete for the Hudson County Tournament title. Freshman Elijah Gertrude Elijah Gertrude 6'4" | SG Hudson Catholic | 2023 State #145 Nation NJ had his moments for Hudson Catholic during his debut varsity season and looks like the top candidate to take the job. Hudson County power Marist will close its doors after the end of the academic season, which provides the Hawks with intriguing prospects in the backcourt.
Mike Jackson Mike Jackson 6'2" | CG Union City | 2021 State NJ anchored the Marist attack as he was named co-player of the year in the HCIAL White Division with Snyder’s Corey Manning-Floyd Corey Manning-Floyd 6'5" | SF Snyder | 2020 State NJ . Keith Mency Keith Mency 6'1" | CG Marist | 2021 NY is a tough combo guard who brings it on both ends of the floor. Hassan Jackson is a Swiss-army knife who can play three different positions, while Adams Silas is a tough guard who can help a team contribute right away.
Blair Academy’s Kyle Cuffee Jr. Kyle Cuffee Jr. 6'2" | CG Blair Academy | 2021 #161 Nation NJ is the top ranked combo guard in the 2022 class with Cruz’s departure and he is set to explode in 2020-21. He filled in admirably for Virginia commit Jabri Abdur-Rahim Jabri Abdur-Rahim 6'6" | SF Blair Academy | 2020 #41 Nation NJ when he went down with injury and was able to learn from Jaylen Blakes Jaylen Blakes 6'1" | PG Blair Academy | 2021 State #121 Nation NJ . Cuffee Jr. has earned a pair of high major offers in the month of April and could easily enter the top five with a strong AAU season.
Cruz’s move to Oak Hill Academy takes away a bit of the star power in New Jersey’s 2022 class, but it is still filled with good guards capable of playing Division I basketball. Hudson Catholic may take a bit of a step back in 2020-21, but the Hawks spent good portions of the season playing without him. The 2022 class should be fun to watch as the players battle it out to be named the top player in the Garden State.