2024 Rankings Debut
The first 2024 rankings are officially here. The group may be small with only 31 prospects, but it is filled with talent across the board. Bergen Catholic’s Elliot Cadeau Elliot Cadeau 6'2" | PG Bergen Catholic | 2024 MO heads the class and has the potential to be the next great guard to come out of the Garden State.
The 6’2 guard is creative with the ball in his hands and blows by his defender in the halfcourt. Cadeau has a nice layup package and can finish above the rim. He is more than just a driver as he has a nice release on his jumper and shoots the ball with confidence from deep. Cadeau is a talented lead guard prospect who is currently the top guy in the 2024 class.
Naasir Cunningham Naasir Cunningham 6'7" | SF Southern California Academy | 2024 #41 Nation CA-S is the second ranked player in the class and should have a standout debut season for Gill St. Bernard’s. The lanky 6’6 wing is crafty with the ball in his hands and can handle the ball on the perimeter. Cunningham can take his defender off the bounce, finish around the basket and knock down perimeter jumpers. He has a solid postgame and is an underrated rebounder. Cunningham is a smooth wing prospect who is the perfect compliment to Mackenzie Mgbako Mackenzie Mgbako 6'8" | SF Roselle Catholic | 2023 State #5 Nation NJ and Denver Anglin Denver Anglin 6'0" | PG Gill St. Bernard's | 2022 State #120 Nation NJ for head coach Mergin Sina.
Don Bosco Prep has a talented 2023 prospect in Akil Watson Akil Watson 6'7" | SF Roselle Catholic | 2023 State #105 Nation NJ and his younger brother, Tarik Watson Tarik Watson 6'7" | PF Hillcrest Prep | 2024 State AZ , is another big-time talent. The 6’7 forward has a strong frame, making him capable of playing in the post right away. The younger Watson has a good handle and knows how to finish above the rim. He has a nice touch around the basket and can block shots around the basket. The Watson brothers are a dynamic duo which should cause problems for Bergen County teams this season.
Hudson Catholic’s Tahaad Pettiford Tahaad Pettiford 6'1" | PG Hudson Catholic | 2024 State #27 Nation NJ may be undersized, but he is one of the most dynamic players in the class. The lefty guard is lightning quick with the ball in his hands and is hard to contain off the bounce. Pettiford is in range once he steps in the gym and is unafraid to let it fly in transition. He is a tough on-ball defender and does not mind going up against much bigger opponents. Pettiford is a big-time shooter who should help the Hawks’ offense run smoothly in 2020-21.
St. Benedict’s Prep is loaded with talent, but that should not stop Quinfang Pang Quinfang Pang 6'8" | PF Christ the king | 2024 State #290 Nation NY from making an impact. The 6’8 combo forward can put the ball on the floor and knows how to finish around the basket. Pang does not mind contact around the rim and knows how to move off the ball. He is a solid rebounder and uses his length to block shots around the basket. The Grey Bees should be one of the top teams in New Jersey again this season as Pang looks to make an impact for the Garden State powerhouse.
The initial 2024 rankings are filled with point guards as they take up more than half of the 31 spots with 17 ranked prospects. While the forward position is not heavily featured, half of the top 10 prospects in the 2024 rankings are forwards. Cunningham is the top ranked small forward, while Roselle Catholic’s Richard Brisco Richard Brisco 6'8" | C Hillcrest Prep | 2024 State AZ is the top power forward at number six. The 2024 class is loaded with talent and should be fun to watch for the next three years.