Non-Public A Big Men to Watch
Over the past decade, the Non-Public schools have ruled the roost in the Garden State. While St. Joe’s Metuchen was the last Non-Public A team to win the Tournament of Champions in 2014, they are consistently among the top five…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingOver the past decade, the Non-Public schools have ruled the roost in the Garden State. While St. Joe’s Metuchen was the last Non-Public A team to win the Tournament of Champions in 2014, they are consistently among the top five teams in New Jersey. There is a lot of talent in Non-Public A, especially in the frontcourt. Here are the top big men to watch in Non-Public A.
Akil Watson Akil Watson 6'7" | SF Roselle Catholic | 2023 State #105 Nation NJ , 6’7 SF/PF Don Bosco Prep 2023
Watson will play on the wing in college, but plays more in the interior at Don Bosco. The 6’7 forward has a nice handle and can make plays on the perimeter. Watson has a good release on his shot and has range that extends past the three-point line. He works hard on the glass and is a solid defender. Watson has earned four Division I offers since the end of the season and is ready for a strong 2020-21 season.
DiAri Duncan DiAri Duncan 6'8" | PF Bergen Catholic | 2021 State NJ , 6’8 PF Bergen Catholic 2021
The Crusaders have to replace Notre Dame commit Matt Zona Matt Zona 6'9" | PF Bergen Catholic | 2020 State #200 Nation NJ down low and Duncan will get the first chance to do so. The 6’8 Bronx native is a tough forward who doesn’t mind mixing it up down low. Duncan has a nice touch around the basket and sets good ball screens. He fights for rebounds on both ends of the floor and plays solid post defense. Bergen Catholic will be one of the teams to beat in Non-Public A as Duncan establishes himself down low.
Nicolo Nobili Nicolo Nobili 6'9" | PF Paul VI | 2022 OH , 6’9 PF Paul VI 2021
The Eagles return a strong core of 2021 talent in Jalen Boyd-Savage Jalen Boyd-Savage 6'3" | CG Olympus Prep | 2022 State NJ , NJIT commit Wisler Sanon Wisler Sanon 6'2" | CG Paul VI | 2021 State NJ and Nobili. The 6’9 Italian native plays with good footwork in the paint and has a nice touch around the basket. Nobili has a nice release on his jumper and has range that extends past the three-point line. He is a good passer and can handle the ball on the perimeter. Paul VI is one of the favorites to win Non-Public A South with Nobili returning on the interior.
Matthew Delaney Matthew Delaney 6'7" | PF St. Augustine | 2021 State NJ , 6’7 PF St. Augustine 2021
The Hermits took home the Non-Public A South title and they should be in contention again with Delaney returning down low. The 6’7 forward is a classic stretch four as he can handle the ball on the perimeter, but also has a nice touch around the basket. Delaney knows how to finish through contact and has range that extends to the three-point line. His motor never stops on both ends of the floor and is one of the top rebounders in the 2021 class. Delaney is a skilled forward prospect who is looking to close out his varsity career with consecutive sectional titles.
Gavin O’Farrell Gavin O’Farrell 6'6" | PF St. Peter's Prep | 2021 State NJ , 6’6 PF St. Peter’s Prep 2021
The Marauders have one of the top backcourts in New Jersey in Mark Armstrong Mark Armstrong 6'2" | PG St. Peter's Prep | 2022 State #39 Nation NJ and Rayshawn Ford Rayshawn Ford 6'2" | SG St. Peter's Prep | 2021 State NJ , but they also have a good interior prospect in O’Farrell. The 6’6 forward works hard on both ends of the floor and is a good rebounder. O’Farrell moves well off the ball and knows how to set himself up down low. He has a nice touch around the basket and knows how to draw contact. St. Peter’s Prep is one of the teams to beat in Non-Public A North and O’Farrell is looking to help the Marauders get back to the sectional title.
Other Players to Watch:
Tommy Conniff Tommy Conniff 6'10" | C Oratory Prep | 2022 State NJ , 6’9 PF/C Oratory Prep 2022
Mehki Johnson Mehki Johnson 6'7" | PF Colonia | 2022 State NJ , 6’8 PF St. Thomas Aquinas 2022
Dane Moran Dane Moran 6'9" | PF Lawrenceville | 2022 State NJ , 6’8 PF CBA 2021
Derrick Bueno Derrick Bueno 6'7" | PF Roselle Catholic | 2021 State NJ , 6’5 PF Paramus Catholic 2021
Miles Whye Miles Whye 6'7" | PF St. Joe's Metuchen | 2021 State NJ , 6’7 PF St. Joe’s Metuchen 2021