PGH New Jersey Recruiting Update: 10/31
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The recruiting madness in New Jersey continues, a great sign for the continued progress of talent within the state. We have yet another recruiting update to bring to you with a number of commitments to Division I programs, as well…
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Continue ReadingThe recruiting madness in New Jersey continues, a great sign for the continued progress of talent within the state. We have yet another recruiting update to bring to you with a number of commitments to Division I programs, as well as a few official visits taking place. Here’s a look at the latest around the Garden State.
Mayah Alford Mayah Alford 5'11" | SF Trenton Catholic | 2024 State NJ – Trenton Catholic (2024) commits to NJIT
Alford is the most recent prospect to have made the news cycle in New Jersey, verbally committing to NJIT via Twitter late Tuesday morning.
The senior certainly shined in her first season with the Iron Mikes, averaging 13.3 points a game in 16 games played. That includes four 20-point performances and 10 double-digit scoring performances overall. She was one of the main focal points for TCA last season, and as a senior, she intends to do the same, up her game that much more as a wing/forward presence.
Mikayla Blakes Mikayla Blakes 5'8" | SG Rutgers Prep | 2024 State NJ – Rutgers Prep (2024) visits Wisconsin
We saw in August that the No. 1 prospect in our Class of 2024 rankings, arguably the No. 1 prospect in the state right now had cut her schools down to a top 7. One of those schools, according to BTN Scouting, Blakes just recently visited as the senior toured Wisconsin over the weekend.
There really isn’t much more we can say about just how good she’s been as a player because the stats, the official offers from a number of Power Five conferences, the accolades, they all speak for themselves. She’s a top talent in the country and is being sought out by some of the best programs in the country. We can’t wait to see where she ends up.
Jennah Johnson Jennah Johnson 5'9" | SG Woodbridge | 2024 State NJ – Woodbridge (2024) commits to UMass Lowell
Woodbridge has found an absolute gem in Gill St. Bernard’s transfer Jennah Johnson Jennah Johnson 5'9" | SG Woodbridge | 2024 State NJ , who announced on social media last week her verbal commitment to UMass Lowell.
Her stats took a bit of a dip as a junior, but that shouldn’t overshadow the caliber of player that she is and can be on the college level. Johnson is a double-digit scorer, someone who can rack up 3-5 assists a game and someone who’s defense has steadily improved over the past two years especially. Let’s not forget that the exposure she’s gotten playing for New Heights NYC has been immeasurable.
Talia Baptiste Talia Baptiste 5'7" | CG Columbia | 2024 State NJ – Columbia (2024) commits to Fairleigh Dickinson
Fairleigh Dickinson has been recruiting New Jersey players hard over this recruiting cycle, and the Knights can add another in-state talent to next year’s roster in Columbia senior Talia Baptiste Talia Baptiste 5'7" | CG Columbia | 2024 State NJ , who committed last week.
Baptiste’s junior year was her best one yet by a sizable margin, averaging 14.1 PPG in 17 games played for Columbia. Her production has remained consistent over time, a solid passer and rebounder with a defensive presence that not many other players like her have. That 17-game sample size as a junior seems small, but make no mistakes about her because she’s ready to break out that much more this season.
Bella Curanovic Bella Curanovic 5'11" | SG Cranford | 2025 State NJ – Cranford (2025) visits Columbia
We conclude this article looking at a junior talent in Cranford guard Bella Curanovic Bella Curanovic 5'11" | SG Cranford | 2025 State NJ , who took a visit to Columbia University last week.
Her height is deceiving because she’s an incredibly aggressive and successful interior player with talent to burn, truly. Really encouraged by her offensive skillset, which took a massive leap from her freshman to sophomore year as she averaged 12.1 PPG. Additionally, that aggression on the boards led to more rebounds per game, and it seems like she’s really maturing into a big time role when she plays down low.