Was talking to a buddy of mine whose well connected in Bergen County/North Jersey for hoops.
- 2022 Top 100 Bergen Catholic Combo Guard Will Richardson is high on Vanderbilt and UNC would be a big factor if they offered. SHU, UConn, Xavier and Georgetown are all involved but none super heavily. I think Vanderbilt is a pretty large favorite at this moment. I'm bummed that SHU didn't prioritize him as I think he's going to be a big time player in college
- 2023 5-star Don Bosco Prep forward Akil Watson is the most likely of the big 4 2023 NJ studs to stay close to home. He has absolutely no favorites at this time, but he is a homebody and is open to all the local programs. The other 5-star studs in that class from NJ Dajuan Wagner, Simeon Wilcher and Mackenzie Mgbako are all less likely to stay home. Wagner is basically either going to Kentucky or going pro. All four of these guys (Watson included) are going to have the option to go right to the pros and it wouldn't shock me if a couple of them take that option
- SHU is one of the schools recruiting stud 2022 guard Zion Cruz the hardest, along with Syracuse and Florida State. Cruz also likes Georgetown and Kansas. Long way to go here, but it looks like if Cruz does choose to stay local, SHU would be the local program that lands him as Rutgers/UConn/SJU don't seem to be options at this time
- If Mark Schmidt leaves St. Bonaventure, their star guard and Hillside NJ native Kyle Lofton will likely look to transfer. If that happens, playing for a local High Major program is of interest for him. He had a horrible year shooting the 3 this year at 22%, but did average 14.6 points and 5.5 assists compared to 2.6 turnovers a game.
