The Hoop State: New Jersey Has Now And Next
Sports Editor Will Lyons gives insight on emerging hoops talent in the Garden State as well as laying on the flowers for a rich basketball history long forgotten.
The Garden state has an incredibly rich basketball history. At the high school, college and pro levels you can find an all-time player that calls Jersey home. The home of Rick Barry, Shaq, Kyrie Irving, Karl-Anthony Towns, The Wagner Dynasty and many more. New Jersey has consistently supplied the country with impact players. This is a trend that will continue in a major way over the next few years with New Jersey being the home to the top ranked prospects in the 2022, 2023 and 2024 high classes.
Following in the tradition of the countless McDonalds All-Americans and high impact D-1 players before them, Dariq Whitehead, DJ Wagner and Naasir Cunningham have been carving out their legacies. The three players play for three of the most talented high school programs in the country in Montverde Academy (FA), Camden High School (NJ) and Gil St. Benard’s (NJ).
Being the number one player in your class puts a target on your back as everyone wants to make a name off the top dog. Having a career performance against the best can yield scholarship offers or more with more professional opportunities emerging like the G-League Ignite and Overtime Elite. Performing up to the expectation of media and fans is no easy task making the sustained performance of young guards DJ Wagner and Naas Cunningham that much more impressive.
DJ Wagner is the top junior in America and the star for the storied Camden High Panthers. The school’s basketball program has produced many stars over the years like Itchy Smith, Billy Thompson, Milt Wagner and Dajuan Wagner Sr. Out of the players named, two of them share the same last name and bloodline as DJ, Milt is his grandfather and Dajuan is his father. Two of the more accomplished players in the state’s history with young DJ up next. A 6’3” combo guard that can play either guard spot or score with the best of them. DJ’s scoring ability is incredibly impressive but it is his feel for the game and pace that set him apart. He lists Villanova, Syracuse, Temple, Memphis and Kentucky as the schools working hardest in his recruitment.
6’7” Naas Cunningham has already made quite an impression on the national media and on those who follow the game closely at the high school level. The West Orange, NJ native has a game that pairs perfectly with his Instagram handle @ShowtimeNaas as he is must see TV. His ability to put the ball on the floor and make a play with either a pull-up jump shot or an electric finish at the basket are already impressive. Add in his competitive nature and you have a potentially special prospect that can impact the game as a plus defender and scorer that offers some playmaking also. Current college interest includes Creighton, DePaul, Duke, LSU, Maryland and a host of others.
Top ranked senior Dariq Whitehead is the only player in this article that does not play at a school in New Jersey. But make no mistake the Small Forward from Newark is representing the Garden State in a major way. Dariq’s high school career has been trending upward since he enrolled at Montverde Academy. Playing with dozens of high major D-1 players, and some future pros as well, has allowed Dariq to develop his game at the highest level. You add in the opportunity to play for legendary Coach Kevin Boyle and it is easy to see how Dariq rose his way to the number one spot.
A game changing wing that can guard 1–3 and score in a variety of ways Whitehead is expected to be the next big thing in a Duke Blue Devil uniform next season. The McDonald’s All-American pairs with elite center prospect Dereck Lively III as the crown jewel of head coach to be Jon Scheyer’s first recruiting class.
The basketball history in New Jersey is rich with Basketball Hall of Famers and All-Americans at every level. As these promising young players continue writing their stories the impressive legacy continues as these players work to put their name in the conversation with the likes of JR Smith and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. While other states like California and Texas produce many talented players in their own right, Jersey holds the crown as the hoop state producing impact player after impact player in one of the smaller states in the country.
