So today I’m going to tell you who the POWER 5 legitimate players in the state of New Jersey. Now when you talk P5 players. Throw away ranking first of all. Take a look at the ESPN RANKINGS the last 3 years. Notice, many of those kids have long been forgotten. Throw
out the hype created by bloggers and some media types. Most have never played or coached and are grossly uninformed. Finally never pay attention to AAU folks and kids posting there offers daily. They are trying to create interest and a narrative. Rather than preforming and letting there game speak for themselves.
Now what does it take to be a P5 player? Well the player must have some natural physical attributes to start. Things like next level positional size. In other words some physical gifts, it called genetics. Then a player must have some natural ability and talent. Once those things are in place. It comes down to how hard a kid works. Their mental toughness and competitive nature. Now the outlier is the player with a certain unique skill set. For example a great shooter with range. A player with extraordinary size is always in demand. Now after all this remember to ask this question. Does the players game transfer to the P5 level? Meaning can they do the stuff they are doing now in high school in college. Meaning does there game translate?
In a typical year. There are roughly 1-2 seniors that go on to play at a P5 school. DO NOT LISTEN, when you hear about an underclassmen getting a P5 offer. Those offers in 99% of the cases not real. These offers are often the masterminds of parents and AAU organizations. Those offers are only real if they can accept that offer. Today I’m going to list the FIVE players who are legitimate P5 players and I will tell you why. Now you may be asking if there are more? Maybe, but I have not seen any others. I have seen a few with P5 potential, but that’s not we are talking about. We are talking about right now today. College coaches you may want to take note.
NEW JERSEY P5 RECRUITS
MIA PAULDO- SR- MORRIS CATHOLIC- PG
I have had a. Lot of people question if she can play at a P5 school because of her size and frame, especially in the SEC. Well anyone questioning her, clearly have not watched her closely. She has a unique motor and masterful competitive nature. She also is offensive machine who can score or deliver the ball. But what makes her very special is her physical strength for her size. Next while Tennessee.is a legendary program. It’s a shell of what they once were as a program. Mia Pauldo is excellent player to help start a rebuild. She is the ultimate winner.
GANDY MALOU-MAME- SR- GIL ST. BERNARD – FORWARD
She is a physical freak, even by UCONN standards. Her speed, quick leaping ability, strength and size at 6’6” and wing span is unique for any level of basketball. She has made massive strides and improvements in just a year. She is not ranked in the country of for that matter even known outside of college coaches and WNBA scouts. How unknown is she you ask? A scouting service had her listed as the 5th best player in New Jersey ( why you pay these folks no mind). Gandy is far and away the most dominant player in New Jersey. She has a pro like work ethic and is surrounded by proven coaches and trainers like Kerwin Quinn. She is a future WNBA player.
MADISON KOCIS- JR- SJV- GUARD
Now this may come as a surprise. But if you are not paying attention, listen up coaches. I have not seen a player make this type of jump in 20 years. Those are strong words, but factual. She is now 6ft and still growing.. She now has the physical strength of a power five type guard. Madison’s ability to post up, any type guard can be attributed to her developing a beautiful hook. Madison has real next level positional size. She has always been a great shooter. But these days it’s the passing, defense and ball handling that has been elevated in a major fashion. She is as mega student, so she could be another Madison St. Rose type. This is a classic example of a kid not crowed or hyped up but way more advanced than the ranked and media darlings. Her mental toughness is off the charts. Last summer she was tested mentally and it may be the reason for this explosive improvement. She has tremendous pride and may have been insulted. She should send some folks a thank you note. Her work ethic is historic. Her game clearly transfers to the next level.
ADDY NYMCHEK- JR- RBC- SWING
She is the most complete guard I have seen in all my years. She is 6’1” and by far the best passer I have ever seen. This is what separates her from every player in the state. She is ranked the 52nd player in the country. If you believe there are 51 players in the country better than Addy Nymchek, I got a bridge to sell you. She is a deadly three point shooter and murder in the lane with her patent one leg fade away or one hand finish which are unstoppable. Addy, is a future P5 defensive stopper right now because of the shot blocking ability and her high school environment. RBC is the best defensive team in the state. Nymchek plays harder than any superstar I have seen since Marina Mabrey over a decade ago. The complete package, mega talented, coachable, intelligent and unselfish. This is a P5 freshman starter from one day.
TAYLOR SOFILKANICH – JR- SJV- POST
She is 6’4” and extremely athletic. She is quick and physical. She plays with an edge and is very aggressive. She scores with either hand and has all the necessary post moves. Taylor has a nice touch around the basket. And surprise, surprise, she has also developed a nice jumper to 21 feet. Taylor has hands from the heavens and runs the floor like a dear. This is a player who will be in heavy demand by National Championship contenders. She is way ahead of where her older sister Ashley (BUCKNELL leading scorer and rebounder as a freshman last year) was at this point in her career. Again like her current SJV teammate Madison, she is an elite student. So we don’t know where this will end up.
ASHLEY KREIGER- RANNEY- SOPHOMORE- FORWARD
She is the most skilled young post player in recent years. She is like a cannon going off at the rim. She is 6’3” and entirely skilled and coached up. She can knock down three’s and push the ball in transition and become a player maker. Her footwork has no match period. I have not seen a player with better footwork ever. Her post game is next level. There is also a case to be made for her to become a point forward. Her game reminds you of a female COOPER FLAGG. She runs the floor in full out sprints. Her hands are magical. She tough both physically and mentally. I have not seen a player get abused physically that way she was as a freshman. It was embarrassing. Yet she never lost her composure. A sign of real maturity. She is a dream teammate, who has a next level competitive nature. She is going to be a P5 menace. She loves to play and is a gym rat
