Today I will give you my list of “NON SHORE PLAYERS” whose games transfer to the next level best. These are the players with the most potenial at the next level. Now keep in mind, this list is not about who the best players are right now. There is no doubt I will miss a number of talented future college stars. That’s because I am only talking about kids I have personally seen. I will never give a my opinion to what level a kid can play at unless I see them play, MYSELF. A great example is CAMDEN EPSTEIN of Ramapo high school. I’ve had a number of D1 coaches tell me she is a D1 lock talent. In fact she has multiple D1 offers on the table, but she is not on this list. Because I have yet to set eyes on her. There is not much video available on line as well.
These are 6 very important things I consider when projecting a players future success. The real challenge each recruiter faces in deciding if a kid adds or subtracts to a program, is this. How long will it take that kid to make a contribution and how long does a staff have to wait? But there is no way around these six things
1. Performance outside controlled environments. What do they look like outside of their controlled environment. Daddy is not the trainer and they get harsh truth.
2. The players improvement curve, there is no bigger measuring stick. If they haven’t imported year to year, expect the same in college
3. Competition faced on a regular basis. If they only face competition occasionally they will not be ready to see it daily in college
4. Work ethic outside their comfort level. If their hurt all the time now, same in college. If they don’t work in the weight room now, same in college…they do not change!
5. Attitude towards hard coaching and criticism. Always a deal breaker if you don’t know the kid….Mental Health issues by players has gotten lots of coaches in hot water
6. Are the parents fans or supporters… there is a difference. The biggest non basketball reason coaches get fired… you better go back to 7th grade to get the real truth or these days your taking a risk. Parents know how to hide the history and the truth.
7. PICKING A SCHOOL THAT YOU CAN IMPACT, NOT JUST PLAY AT… IS A BIG DIFFERENCE
TOP 20 BASED ON COLLEGE POTENTIAL( non Shore Conference)
1. GANDY MANLOU-MAMEL- GIL BERNARD- 6’6″- Senior– This is a no brainer, the Connecticut bound senior is by far most dominant player in the state. The crazy part is that she has not reached her peak. Next stop UCONN and then the WNBA.
2. ADDY PLATT- GIL BERNARD-6’0″- Wing– JUNIOR– She has serious positional size, athleticism and the perfect demeanor to build a program around. Choice matters and my guess, she make the right choice.
3. ELLA KRUZER- CHATHAM HIGH SCHOOL-5’10”– Senior- Wing– She is not just a program kid. She is winner and more importantly a winner in building your culture. Picking the right school often determines a kids future. She made an elite choice. She is a going to be the ulitmate Patriot League type kid on and off the court. 1st TEAM ALL STATE is in the cards.
4. PAULDO TWINS- MORRIS CATHOLIC – 5’6″- Combo- Seniors– Mia will without question will start the year out as the leading candidate for PLAYER OF YEAR in New Jersey. Some worry about their size. But isn’t it funny regardless of who they play against. There are always the best players on the floor. U Tennessee will be an adjustment but they are insanely competitive
6. ISLA FRY- RAMAPO- 5’11- Freshman – Wing – Well if you don’t know this freshman you better learn her name quick. She has an next level elite body with positional size and serious skills for a wing. She has Power 5 written all over in 4 years. This is the highest rated underclassmen on my list
7. SIDNEY QUINN– 6’2”- SWING- GIL BERNARD- She made a golden choice in picking Navy. She has next level positional size and a serious IQ and skill sets. She will be an impact from day one, because she has seen every level of competition. This is a player that is a future star in the Patriot League.
8. DANIELLA MATUS- MORRIS CATHOLIC- 5’9″– Senior– The talented wing is a scoring machine who is off to LOYOLA OF CHICAGO of the A-10. She is the ultimate true combo guard in that she can really play both positions equally well. This is another player who made a rock star choice. Gym rat and more importantly a competitive edge who has seen and played against the best of the best.
9. BRE ALBA –5’10’- WING- CHEROKEE HIGH SCHOOL- Junior –This is a serious cat. Her location doesn’t lend to competition needed to train or get high profile visibility. But it won’t matter because she will be in serious demand. This is a future 4 year starter at the next level. Think Kylie Capstraw on steroids… she is that good. You hear about 3 level scorers like it’s a punch level these days… but this is a player who actually doesn’t need the hype because she is truly a three level scorer
10. EL-ANITA JOE-SAMUEL– SWING- LENAPE HIGH SCHOOL- 5’11”-SOPH…maybe best in the class in the 2027 class… go watch tape coaches. She just looks different than everyone else. Her explosiveness is so next level. Now I have yet to see her live. But I am going to trust the tape here
11. NILA GIRAUD– 6’0”- FORWARD- MONTCLAIR IMMACULATE– SENIOR – She was first team all state… enough said. She is the definition of a true warrior.. She will surprise at the next level because you can’t teach her competitive nature and she has one of the biggest in the state. She has has been coached up and is disciple regardless of what you may think.
12. AVA CATAHO- 5’9″- COMBO- EAST BRUNSWICK HIGH SCHOOL- FRESHMAN– It’s been a long time since the county has had a player of this level. She has it all as a freshman, size, skills, talent and a competitive nature. She looks like and has the presence of a future Power 5, All State type player. This is a young player that is coached up
13. LEXI CARMEGIE–5’9″- COMBO-TEANECK HIGH SCHOOL- Junior- now you have to watch tape of her to get a full appreciation for all she can do on the basketball court. Now the competition she faces is clearly suspect. But before her injury she played high level AAU and shined in a big way. #10 could be to low of a college projection after she get fully healthy
14. SOPHIA GEORGIADES– WING- RUTGERS PREP HIGH SCHOOL- SENIOR –She is off to BOSTON U. That may end up being the steal of the year. She is a walking bucket with a serious appetite for competition. She love tearing up the PATRIOT LEAGUE
15. SAVANNAH SEAWELL-6’2″ MONTLCAIR-SENIOR- I guess when you turned more D1 offers than a beauty QUEEN . You have some game. She is becoming a serious 3/4 tight next level impact player. That work ethic and college body make her so much different than most.
16. AVA FRITH- SWING- RUTGERS PREP HIGH SCHOOL- JUNIOR- this is a serious evolving talent with all the necessary intangibles. She can shoot the three, put it on the deck and post up. Now throw in the serious next level body and you got magic. Leaving the hyper competitive training and Shore competition will have to be addressed. But she has always found a way.
17. AVA FAJARDO- BLAIR- 5’5″- POINT GUARD-JUNIOR- She is a pit bull. Her growth shocked me this summer. She is an elite user of ball screens, an electric passer and deadly shooter. Need I say more
18. JAX EDELMAN– WING- MORRIS CATHOLIC- 5’11”- FRESHMAN-She brings so many tools to the table is scary. She has size, toughness , talent, skills and off the charts potential. If you haven’t offered shame on you.
19. TONI PERNETTI – RAMAPO- 5’9″- WING- JUNIOR– she is smart beyond crafty. Does winning shit not popular shit. This is a serious culture player. More importantly she’ll pick the school not the right name one day
20. SAM GRELLA – IMMACULATE HEART ACAD- 5’10”- WING-JUNIOR– She is the real deal because of the versatility and consistency of her development. The future D1 wing is looking more and more physically like a grown woman. Her jumper and post game is already grown up
21. ANALYSE INTENZO– BIG WING- 6’+ MORRISTOWN HIGH SCHOOL-Size and length matters and she has lots of it 6’1”. We call the next level positional size. But it’s the shooting, post up ability and talent to get paint touches that will hand coaches drooling… YOU BEEN EDUCATED!
22. JORDAN BARNES- 5’10”- FORWARD- ST.THOMAS AQUINAS-HIGH SCHOOL – JUNIOR– Plays with so much energy and joy, you have to fall in love with this kid. If she picks the right school. She could be a All Conference type player at the next level
JUST MISSED THE CUT LIST
FAITH WILLIAMSON– 5’9”- WING- SADDLE RIVER DAY– SENIOR- she has fallen off the recruiting board, she plays very little AAU. Don’t forget she may have been the best freshman in the state 4 years ago. But there is plenty left in the tank. She just isn’t a AAU Desperado…
AVA LAMONICA– 5’7″- COMBO- RUTGERS PREP–JUNIOR– she got so many D1 offers there falling out her pocket. She is as tough as they come. A true winner of little things and the competitive nature is off the charts. You want Ava on your team
LEAH CROSBY-5’10- SWING- St. Thomas Aquinas – Senior- the FDU bound senior has to sit 30 days . So will can’t seriously put her in the Top 20 but we know she is. FDU got a major steal and a player that loves a good hard fought fight.
AVERY HARDING-6’1″- FORWARD- EGG HABOR– Senior.. the UNH bound forward has too much upside to ignore. She has gotten better each year. There is some serious potential to work with here…size, toughness and raw talent
ALENA SUNKINS- FRANKLIN- 5’11- Forward- Sophomore…I have only seen her on tape and not live. But everyone you speak to say, she is a mega star in the making. But you know me. If I don’t see them, I don’t make opinions. But you can’t deny all the knowledgeable folks singing her praises.
ARIEL EDWARDS- 5’10”- FORWARD- HUDSON CATHOLIC- SOPHOMORE- She makes the list because lot of basketball folks say, she has a chance to be special. Lets hope there right