So I spent my Sunday in Montclair again watching HS basketball
As last year, there were a lot Seton Hall people in the crowd. Ex coaches and ex players all over the place. It's amazing to me to see how strong the Seton Hall name is in HS and College coaching these days.
I watched the games this year with a good friend who was an excellent college player and a top notch Euro League guy who played in some of the top leagues in the world. He is currently a HS coach and was previously coaching for a top NYC AAU team. He is also very opinionated so it makes for a good guy to watch a few games with.
The first games of the day was Hudson Catholic vs Roselle Catholic.
Hudson is in a complete rebuild, but I really like their young kids. They have a soph wing in Shane Dezonie who is going to be special. Really like his game.
For Roselle
Josh Pierre-Louis - I thought he was ok. Not really a PG and more of an athlete at this point. A10 kind of talent.
Khalil Whitney - The most physically talented player in my opinion but wasn't the best player on Sunday. I spoke to a source close to Khalil and it sounds like he played a lot of basketball and had done a lot of travelling, so maybe he was tired or not focused.
I saw a kid who settled for a lot of long bad jump shots that missed more often then not (at one point is was 9 jumpers in a row). When he is in transition he is a whole different player. Insanely talented, physically strong, and very long. Had a few super jaw dropping dunks. He is a good passer and will look for his teammates.
I get he is trying to improve his game but he can get to the rim at will when he wants to.
Very good rebounder and defender. To me, he isn't a Kentucky kind of player. He needs to be developed and worked with, something that is not a strong point with Cal. I think Illinois or Georgetown would be better, but from what I heard I think he ends up at UK.
Patrick School
Al Dawes - Al was really good. He is now a fully functional PG. He can get to the rim whenever he wants. He is very crafty and a good finisher. Really liked how he was setting his teammates up and running the offense. Once adjustments were made by the defense, he would get to the basket and find teammates for easy buckets or jumpers. His jumper was solid, I like his form. He gets after it on defense. I think he is a legit 6'1 and he has put on some muscle. I would have no problem taking him right now as our PG. He isn't a superstar but he is very very solid. Someone I talked to at the event thought he would end up at UConn but I think Seton Hall has a great relationship with Dawes and the Pat's guys.
Jayden Pierre - Class of 2022 PG - If this kid grows, he is the next big thing at Pat's. Kid had a great feel for the game despite being so young and never looked overwhelmed. Keep an eye out for him.
Alexander Rice - King Rice's kid apparently just transferred to Pat's. Very smart player and nice looking shot. Not super athletic and needs to grow/fill out. Right now he is a mid-major with the potential to be High Major.
They also had a 6'6ish wing who I liked, very good athlete. Didn't get his name, but he is def a D1 prospect.
Benard St Gill
Paul Mulcahy - I want to start off saying that Paul is a very good basketball player. He is 6'4 and what I would describe as a QB. He knows the game well and is a great passer. But he has some major flaws too. He needs to play in a uptempo game with good teammates. His lack of a jump shot is going to be a killer. In college, teams will play off of him. In transition, he is able to be pressed in man to man defense, I would never double him though. He is a super strong guard and can finish well when he gets to the basket. Defensively he is awful. He isn't athletic or twitchy. I also don't think he did himself any service going to RU.
The Immaculate kids all looked very good. I think Marcus did a good job coaching them as well. Our staff watched their first game over Roselle Catholic which I found interesting. The big kid is a stud. Hopefully we have a shot being able to recruit them all.
I liked the two bigs at Bergen Catholic as well.
From talking to various sources, it doesn't surprise me that we didn't make much of an effort in recruiting Khalil Whitney. I think there are too many people who are in his camp that had a not so pleasant experience dealing with SHU in the past. Saves us time in the long run, because the Blue Bloods are now involved and that's where I expect him to end up.
I enjoyed last years event more, but it still is the closest thing to ABCD camp in NJ. I suggest everyone that likes HS bball to go next year.
As last year, there were a lot Seton Hall people in the crowd. Ex coaches and ex players all over the place. It's amazing to me to see how strong the Seton Hall name is in HS and College coaching these days.
I watched the games this year with a good friend who was an excellent college player and a top notch Euro League guy who played in some of the top leagues in the world. He is currently a HS coach and was previously coaching for a top NYC AAU team. He is also very opinionated so it makes for a good guy to watch a few games with.
The first games of the day was Hudson Catholic vs Roselle Catholic.
Hudson is in a complete rebuild, but I really like their young kids. They have a soph wing in Shane Dezonie who is going to be special. Really like his game.
For Roselle
Josh Pierre-Louis - I thought he was ok. Not really a PG and more of an athlete at this point. A10 kind of talent.
Khalil Whitney - The most physically talented player in my opinion but wasn't the best player on Sunday. I spoke to a source close to Khalil and it sounds like he played a lot of basketball and had done a lot of travelling, so maybe he was tired or not focused.
I saw a kid who settled for a lot of long bad jump shots that missed more often then not (at one point is was 9 jumpers in a row). When he is in transition he is a whole different player. Insanely talented, physically strong, and very long. Had a few super jaw dropping dunks. He is a good passer and will look for his teammates.
I get he is trying to improve his game but he can get to the rim at will when he wants to.
Very good rebounder and defender. To me, he isn't a Kentucky kind of player. He needs to be developed and worked with, something that is not a strong point with Cal. I think Illinois or Georgetown would be better, but from what I heard I think he ends up at UK.
Patrick School
Al Dawes - Al was really good. He is now a fully functional PG. He can get to the rim whenever he wants. He is very crafty and a good finisher. Really liked how he was setting his teammates up and running the offense. Once adjustments were made by the defense, he would get to the basket and find teammates for easy buckets or jumpers. His jumper was solid, I like his form. He gets after it on defense. I think he is a legit 6'1 and he has put on some muscle. I would have no problem taking him right now as our PG. He isn't a superstar but he is very very solid. Someone I talked to at the event thought he would end up at UConn but I think Seton Hall has a great relationship with Dawes and the Pat's guys.
Jayden Pierre - Class of 2022 PG - If this kid grows, he is the next big thing at Pat's. Kid had a great feel for the game despite being so young and never looked overwhelmed. Keep an eye out for him.
Alexander Rice - King Rice's kid apparently just transferred to Pat's. Very smart player and nice looking shot. Not super athletic and needs to grow/fill out. Right now he is a mid-major with the potential to be High Major.
They also had a 6'6ish wing who I liked, very good athlete. Didn't get his name, but he is def a D1 prospect.
Benard St Gill
Paul Mulcahy - I want to start off saying that Paul is a very good basketball player. He is 6'4 and what I would describe as a QB. He knows the game well and is a great passer. But he has some major flaws too. He needs to play in a uptempo game with good teammates. His lack of a jump shot is going to be a killer. In college, teams will play off of him. In transition, he is able to be pressed in man to man defense, I would never double him though. He is a super strong guard and can finish well when he gets to the basket. Defensively he is awful. He isn't athletic or twitchy. I also don't think he did himself any service going to RU.
The Immaculate kids all looked very good. I think Marcus did a good job coaching them as well. Our staff watched their first game over Roselle Catholic which I found interesting. The big kid is a stud. Hopefully we have a shot being able to recruit them all.
I liked the two bigs at Bergen Catholic as well.
From talking to various sources, it doesn't surprise me that we didn't make much of an effort in recruiting Khalil Whitney. I think there are too many people who are in his camp that had a not so pleasant experience dealing with SHU in the past. Saves us time in the long run, because the Blue Bloods are now involved and that's where I expect him to end up.
I enjoyed last years event more, but it still is the closest thing to ABCD camp in NJ. I suggest everyone that likes HS bball to go next year.
