Prep Newcomers Expected to have a Big Impact
New Jersey’s Prep division contains some of the top teams in the state. St. Benedict’s is one of the state’s most historic programs, while Blair Academy has consistently turned out Division I prospects. New players enter their programs all the…
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Continue ReadingNew Jersey’s Prep division contains some of the top teams in the state. St. Benedict’s is one of the state’s most historic programs, while Blair Academy has consistently turned out Division I prospects. New players enter their programs all the time,which helps them maintain their status as the premiere programs in the Garden State. Here are the top newcomers in the Prep Division for 2020-21.
Otega Oweh Otega Oweh 6'4" | SG Blair Academy | 2022 State #91 Nation NJ , 6’3 SG Blair Academy 2022
Oweh has been one of the hottest names in the 2022 class with five offers in the last week. The athletic 6’3 guard is at his best attacking the basket and knows how to draw contact once he gets airborne. Oweh is a capable shooter from behind the arc and is a solid defender. His ability to perform in big games was on full display in the state and county tournaments where he averaged 17.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals in those six games. He will have an opportunity to start alongside Jaylen Blakes Jaylen Blakes 6'1" | PG Blair Academy | 2021 State #121 Nation NJ and Kyle Cuffee Jr. Kyle Cuffee Jr. 6'2" | CG Blair Academy | 2021 #161 Nation NJ in the backcourt on a loaded Blair Academy squad.
Aaron Clark, 6’5 CG St. Benedict’s 2022
The Grey Bees took home the Prep A final behind the play of senior guards Adetokundo Bakare Adetokundo Bakare 6'1" | PG St. Benedict's | 2020 State NJ and E.J. Evans E.J. Evans 6'4" | SG St. Benedict's | 2020 State NJ . Both players will be sorely missed, but St. Benedict’s got a big addition in Clark. The 6’5 lefty guard has a nice shooting stroke and can get hot from deep in a hurry. Clark has a good handle and is a play-maker with the ball in his hands. Zaba Bangala Zaba Bangala 6'8" | SF Trinity | 2021 State NV and Ty-laur Johnson both return for St. Benedict’s and they will welcome the addition of Clark in the backcourt.
Tyleel Hall, 6’4 CG Olympus Prep 2023
Olympus Prep loses talented Tennessee-Martin commit Anthony Thomas Anthony Thomas 6'8" | SF Olympus Prep | 2020 State #383 Nation NJ and needs someone to replace his scoring. Hall looks to be the man for the job after a solid 2019-20 campaign in Brooklyn. The 6’4 combo guard is a crafty player with the ball in his hands. Hall has a good handle and can finish around the basket. Olympus Prep has a solid forward duo in Javon Adams Javon Adams 6'9" | PF Olympus Prep | 2022 State NJ and David Gordon David Gordon 6'10" | PF Olympus Prep | 2021 State NJ , who should have a solid 2020-21 season with Hall joining the fold.
Philip Urban Philip Urban 6'6" | SF Pennington | 2022 State NJ , 6’6 SF Pennington 2022
Urban had a solid season for Mater Dei last season, but should get more opportunities on the offensive end at Pennington. The 6’6 forward is a good athlete who can elevate on both ends of the floor. Urban had two games with at least four blocks and plays with good instincts on defense. He has a good handle and knows how to finish around the basket. Urban has the potential to make a difference for the Red Raiders in 2020-21 as he gets more of an opportunity to place away from the basket.
Ian Imegwu, 6’8 PF Blair Academy 2023
Morristown-Beard may have won only eight games last season, but that does not diminish Imegwu’s talent. The 6’8 stretch four has a solid face-up game and can knock down jumpers from behind the arc. Imegwu has a good handle and is an underrated passer. His combination of length and athleticism makes him one of the top shot-blockers in the 2023 class. Blair Academy has a talented frontcourt duo in Akoldah Gak Akoldah Gak 6'11" | C Blair Academy | 2021 State NJ and Lual Manyang Lual Manyang 6'10" | C Blair Academy | 2022 State #232 Nation NJ , but Imegwu’s ability to hit shots on the perimeter makes him a candidate to get good minutes in 2020-21.
Other Players to Watch:
Corey Miller, 6’1 PG Pennington 2023
Mark Woolhouse Mark Woolhouse 6'9" | PF Pennington | 2022 State NJ , 6’9 PF Pennington 2022