The summer is winding down as the fall leagues and open gyms will begin the start of a new basketball season. But there are lots of things to take away from the summer. Now bigger than what has taken place from a recruiting standpoint. The summer now in many way has become all about recruiting. Few players in the summer are focusing on developing. That’s because being part of the AAU culture means so much to kids and parents these days. But there certainly has been some outliers and those are the kids who once again will find themselves in the best position come scholarship time.
This summer a number of kids stole the spotlight. Most of this kids had something in common. They were gym rats and self motivated. Two of the things that separates kids. Addy Nyemchek and Christina Liggio of RBC had what can only be called spectacular summers. Both were constantly on top of there games. They is no doubt in my mind these two will be leading candidates for Shore Conference Player of the Year. TAYLOR SOFILKANICH was outstanding as well as she picked up offers from Top 5 legendary programs. She also moved to #48 on the ESPN National player rankings. Meanwhile her teammate Madison Kocis sent a friendly reminder to all that she is still one of the best players in all of New Jersey. Her stock right now is soaring. But keep in mind she along with Sofilkanich are rock star students. Outside the Shore no player has been a bigger surprise than Rutgers Prep’s transfer SOPHIA GEORGIADES who seen to come from nowhere. She has a game that is complete and college coaches are drooling dreaming about getting her signature. She exploded on the scene at NBS CAMP and has not looked back. These players made remarkable improvements in there games this summer. While AAU was the focus they did not lose track of the importance of development.
Another interesting thing this summer is the number of kids who found out those offers they posted on social media were not real at all. This happens every summer. That’s because the AAU programs encourage and pressure kids to put their offers on twitter for example. In the end it’s very disappointing for kids. But it’s all about understanding the recruiting process. Then again always look at the kids inner circle because that’s where it always seems to go wrong first!
Now some kids made great decisions in choosing there AAU teams. Sam Grella, Brooke Missry, BRE ALBA all are perfect examples. They each entered the summer looking for exposure. They received more than they could ever have dreamed was possible as all picked up MULTIPLE D1 offers. Kids like Kiera Mckown of Howell rather than play low level AAU took a risk and stepped up a level in competition and exposure. For this she was rewarded with MULTIPLE OFFERS. Those kids who made wise AAU decisions certainly have found themselves in the recruiting drivers seat. But there is another side to choosing an AAU team.
The CJ HAWKS had a dream summer. There players gained the respect of everyone in the AAU world in New Jersey. The kids on this team like Grace Love, RILEY FITZPATRICK and Riley Wheeler all made wise decisions in changing AAU teams. They realized they needed a change. Randy Westrol allowed all three to shine. Cassidy Kruise who is off to D2 powerhouse Tampa was outstanding this summer. Randy built team of kids who rather than focus on themselves but focused on the team, Rare in AAU. The result is many of the kids in the CJ HAWKS are being recruited by high academic schools with mega successful basketball programs. There decision making process was outstanding and RANDY WESTROL has be praised for delivering for his entire CJ Hawks roster.
Not everything went so smoothly for everyone. Some very talented juniors and rising seniors made poor AAU choices as well. They choose programs that got little exposure and went to the wrong events. The result is these kids are going to be fighting an uphill battle. One of the problems in this situation, especially when the players are legit D1 talents. The people around them, tell them everything is fine and they have lots of time. These folks do not understand the recruiting game has CHANGED. These kids are in major trouble from a recruiting standpoint. They certainly will have to look back to their decision as where to play AAU. The good news is D2 schools can steal a player and remember they give SCHOLARSHIPS. Hopefully the rising sophomores can learn from the mistakes of the rising juniors and seniors, when choosing a AAU team. Look at the U16 EYBL teams. All those kids even those with real offers are going to need a team next year.
There was no bigger commitment than Tessa Carman’s verbal to Monmouth University. The RBC senior certainly gives the school a real shot in the arm. HAYLEY POSNER of Ranney committed to Lafayette University. It’s strange but many don’t realize how big of a signing this is for Lafayette University and Coach Kia Damon. Mackenzie Teagan had much bigger schools than Holy Cross recruiting her. But I believe wisely choose Holy Cross. Now the question is will she develop in the next 8 months?
Some kids in the Shore and state who have committed have shut it down for the summer except for meaningless summer league games. It shocks me to see this. But then again as kids begin to understand the portal in the coming years. You’ll see less and less of this. Like everything else it takes kids time to adjust to the ever changing recruiting world. The younger kids will learn from other mistakes. It’s a learning curve like anything else. They will realize it’s a different world out there. I predict we are going to see a ton of kids in the 2025 class in the portal next spring. But as kids learn you will see kids no longer taking long breaks in the summer. It’s hard to develop when you play all July and then take 3 weeks off in August. Those without offers taking off is just simply a lack of understanding of the recruiting process. A kid must be at there best the 2nd week of September, few kids understand this.
This summer we saw some very disappointing things. None bigger than the shooting, it was shocking bad especially by the underclassmen. I would tell you the best shooters are in the 2029 and 2030 classes, outside of the rising juniors and seniors. We saw teams getting beat by 30 often. Teams scoring 13 points in an entire game. Folks in a 32 min running clock that has to disturbing to everyone. But what more disappointing is coaches, friends and supporters of kids. Bragging to a kid about their performance against weak competition. Giving a kid fake confidence never ends well. You can’t watch a kid under perform all summer vs real competition and then lie to them when they play weak competition about their development. YOUR NOT HELPING THAT KID
Finally some transfers have gone public Ava Firth is leaving MANASQUAN for RUTGERS PREP. Daniella Matus is leaving SJV for MORRIS CATHOLIC. Both are D1 players. There are 5 other transfers moving within the Shore conference to different schools. The NJISSA is rightfully so being sued to allow seniors who transfer to play right away. Nobody likes to see kids transfer. But they have every right to do so… it’s been a most interesting summer to say the least
THIS MONDAY⬇️