NJ Summer Finale Day 1: Stock Risers
The NJ Summer Finale was unfortunately cut short due to weather, but there was still good basketball in the games that were played. Prospects showed their ability to score on multiple levels, proving they can play at the next level.…
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Continue ReadingThe NJ Summer Finale was unfortunately cut short due to weather, but there was still good basketball in the games that were played. Prospects showed their ability to score on multiple levels, proving they can play at the next level. Their play at the Summer Finale was impressive as it may be their final AAU games. Here are the top stock risers from the opening day of the NJ Summer Finale.
Quacier Cuebas Quacier Cuebas 6'5" | SF JP Stevens | 2021 State NJ , 6’4 SG/SF NJ Panthers Select (J.P. Stevens) 2021
Cuebas had a solid all-around game as he was able to score the ball on multiple levels. The athletic 6’4 wing attacked the basket hard as he drew contact around the basket. Cuebas showed off his perimeter game as he knocked down a pair of three-pointers in the first game. He skies for rebounds on both ends of the floor and played with assertiveness on offense. Cuebas is an athletic wing prospect who could see his stock rise with more offensive performances like that.
Donovan Crawford Donovan Crawford 6'5" | SF North Brunswick | 2021 State NJ , 6’5 SF/PF Pure Basketball (North Brunswick) 2021
Crawford is a skilled post product who saved his best moment for last. The burly 6’5 forward had the game-winning three-point play in the second game as he got the ball down low, made a good post move and finished through traffic. Crawford was tough to stop on the block as he showed off a nice touch around the basket. He played solid post defense and has the ability to handle the ball on the perimeter. Crawford is a tough forward prospect who should see his stock rise with more strong games on the block.
Joe Lardaro Joe Lardaro 6'5" | PF Freehold Township | 2021 State NJ , 6’5 PF Hoop Heaven Hawks Elite (Freehold Township) 2021
Lardaro has had a strong summer and he solidified it with a good showing at the opening day of the NJ Summer Finale. The 6’5 forward was hard to keep off the glass and drew contact consistently throughout two games. Lardaro has a nice touch around the basket and plays with good footwork down low. He ripped down rebounds all day and played well off the ball. Lardaro is a skilled forward prospect who should continue to see his stock rise with more games like that.
Nicholas (Niko) Barnes Nicholas (Niko) Barnes 6'4" | CG Compass Prep | 2023 State NJ , 6’4 CG Pure Basketball (Edison) 2022
Barnes may have been one of the youngest players at the opening day of the NJ Summer Finale, but that did not stop him from having a strong showing. The 6’4 combo guard attacked the basket hard and was unafraid of drawing contact. Barnes played with poise on the ball and was able to beat his man off the bounce. He has quick hands on defense and ripped down rebounds. Barnes is a talented guard prospect who should see his name rise with more all-around performances like that.
Kyle Rolon Kyle Rolon 6'3" | SG Somerville | 2021 State NJ , 6’3 SG Hoop Heaven Hawks Elite (Somerville) 2021
Rolon showed off his ability to be a clutch shooter as he drilled the game-winning three-pointer in the opening game. The 6’3 guard has a pure shooting form and does not need a lot of space to get his shot off. Rolon did not just show his ability to shoot the ball as he also showed he can take the ball to the basket. He moves off the ball well and moves his feet well on defense. Rolon is a knockdown shooter whose stock will rise with more strong performances.
Other Players to Know:
Jacob Morales Jacob Morales 6'4" | SF Pascack Hills | 2021 State NJ , 6’4 SG NJ Panthers 17U Select (Pascack Hills) 2021
Anthony Barthel Anthony Barthel 6'3" | SG Freehold Township | 2021 State NJ , 6’3 SG Hoop Heaven Hawks Elite (Freehold Township) 2021
Grant Holbrook Grant Holbrook 6'6" | SF Ramsey | 2021 State NJ , 6’5 SF/PF NJ Panthers 17U Select (Ramsey) 2021
Ryan Cassels Ryan Cassels 5'10" | PG Saddle River Day | 2021 State NJ , 5’8 PG NJ Panthers 17U Select (Saddle River Day) 2021
Jake Schapiro Jake Schapiro 6'2" | SG Ridge | 2021 State NJ , 6’2 SG Hoop Heaven Hawks Elite (Ridge) 2021
Anthony Milligan Anthony Milligan 6'3" | SG Franklin | 2021 State NJ , 6’3 SG NJ Panthers 17U Select (Franklin) 2021
Sebastian Giannotti Sebastian Giannotti 6'2" | SG Saddle River Day | 2021 State NJ , 6’2 SG NJ Panthers 17U Select (Saddle River Day) 2021
William Corley, 5’11 PG Pure Basketball (Piscataway)