NJ Panthers U15/U16 Standouts
National AAU basketball tournament may not be happening during this pandemic, but teams are starting to practice outside. The NJ Panthers are one of those teams and they are filled with talent. The U15 and U16 teams practiced today with…
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Continue ReadingNational AAU basketball tournament may not be happening during this pandemic, but teams are starting to practice outside. The NJ Panthers are one of those teams and they are filled with talent. The U15 and U16 teams practiced today with several players having a strong practice session. Here are the top standouts from the NJ Panthers U15/U16 sessions.
Philip Urban Philip Urban 6'6" | SF Pennington | 2022 State NJ , 6’6 SF Pennington 2022
Urban had a strong performance throughout the session, but stepped it up during the games. The 6’6 forward attacked the basket hard and tried to dunk almost everything. Urban was almost unstoppable during the games as he was able to get to his spot on the floor and knocked down multiple three-pointers with hands in his face. He played hard throughout the day, including diving on the court for a loose ball. Urban is a skilled wing player who should have a strong showing for the NJ Panthers this summer.
Noah Taylor, 6’4 SF Colonia 2023
Taylor improved his game tremendously over the course of the session. The 6’4 forward changed his shooting form completely during the practice which translated into shooting a better percentage during the games. Taylor showed off his face-up game when he attacked the basket hard from the baseline and threw it down with two hands. He is a good rebounder down low and has a solid handle. Taylor’s improved shooting along with his ability to finish above the rim makes him a strong presence for the NJ Panthers U15 squad.
Yathin Vemula, 6’0 PG South Brunswick 2022
Vemula may have been the shortest player at the 2022 session, but he did not let that stop him from having a strong practice. The 6’0 guard showed off his sweet stroke during the shooting drills as he was able to knock down shots over closeouts. Vemula did well in the warm-up drills as he was able to make layups through contact. During the games, he showed his ability to run the offense and made good decisions with the ball in his hands.
Malachi Johnson, 5’11 PG Union 2023
Johnson had a strong showing throughout the course of the practice. The 5’11 guard started off by knocking down contested jumpers in the shooting drills. Johnson excelled during the 2v2 sessions as he did not rush his shots on offense and let the game come to him. He was able to beat his man off the bounce and played good on-ball defense. Johnson’s ability to score combined with his ball-handling and play-making makes him a good lead guard for the NJ Panthers U15.
Ryan Pettit Ryan Pettit 6'2" | SG Rutgers Prep | 2022 State NJ , 6’2 SG Rutgers Prep 2022
Petit’s play during the 2022 session proved how much of a gamer he is. The 6’2 guard tried taking a charge on Urban during the 3v3 session, a bold move with it taking place on blacktop. Petit moved well off the ball and made solid passes throughout the game sessions. The lefty guard did well in the individual drills as well as he knocked down contested jumpers and made layups through contact. Petit is a hard-nosed guard who should have a strong season for the NJ Panthers U16.
Other Players to Know:
Nate Pluvoise, 5’10 PG Pope John XXIII 2023
Jonathon Wyatt Jonathon Wyatt 6'3" | SG St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State NJ , 6’2 SG St. Thomas Aquinas 2022
Richard Machado Richard Machado 6'1" | CG Saddle River Day | 2023 State NJ , 6’1 PG Saddle River Day 2023
Brian Whitney, 6’3 SG Passiac Valley 2022
Khalid Brown, 6’2 SG St. Joe’s Metuchen 2023
Mehki Johnson Mehki Johnson 6'7" | PF Colonia | 2022 State NJ , 6’8 PF St. Thomas Aquinas 2022