Passaic Valley’s Olumide Onajide had some choices to continue his basketball career on the next level! F.D.U.-Madison, Rochester Institute Tech and Staten Island U. were a few of the schools showing high interest on the high energy wing! In the end, Onajide decided on D3 Rutgers-Newark! Olumide said his decision was based on his comfortability with the coaching staff and players on the team and it being close to home! Hoop Journal has watched the development of Onajide and feels he will be a good addition to the Rutgers-Newark squad! Here’s to Olumide, his father John Onajide and his sister Foluke on his achievement!

     St. Joseph point guard Dan McKinless had William Paterson University on him for a while! While McKinless flirted with other schools, in the long run he felt William Paterson was the place to be for him! Dan chose the Pioneers over Catholic and Hartwick College! McKinless based his decision on the fact that he liked Coach Jose Rebimbas and the William Paterson coaching staff! He thinks it’s a great fit and is excited that his friends and family can still watch him play! Hoop Journal would like to congratulate Dan, his father John, mother Marybeth and brother Brian on a tremendous accomplishment and continued success on the collegiate level!

Plainfield Highschool’s dynamic point guard Sekou Harris was in many people’s opinion the best unsigned senior in New Jersey! That claim can no longer be met as the 5’11 Harris has committed to play in State at Fairleigh Dickinson University! Sekou chose the Knights over Florida International, Florida Atlantic,St.Peters, Hofstra and Canisius! Harris decicision was in his own words” Fairleigh made me their first priority. Assistant coach Marcus Toney-El made me his priority from the beginning of last summer and he kept his word”. Harris feels it’s a perfect fit and when he came on campus he was accepted like family immediately! He also said he fell in love with Coach Greg Vetrone and the team. In his senior season Harris helped Plainfield reach the Tournament Of Champions for the 2nd year in a row! A tremendous feat for a public school! Hoop Journal would like to congratulate Sekou, his mother Shakee, his grandmother Maureen Davis and the rest of his family on this great accomplishment! Nothing but the best in the future!

Here’s  Profile on more Players from the Hoop Journal Showcase:

1.) Shackquiel Scott—–Passaic County Tech:  Shackquiel can be an impact College basketball player in the right situation! He has D1 athleticism as he can get off the floor at 6’6! As he refines his game the potential is so high it’s hard to pass up! Getting better on the perimeter!

2.) Brian Webster—-Queen Of Peace:  Brian was tough around the basket! He competes hard and completed a lot of difficult baskets! At 6’2 he plays bigger than his size and is a good decision maker!

3.) Mike Alford——Paramus Catholic: If there was one player who shined in the showcase it was Alford! He proved himself as a point guard and shot the ball extremely well! He had some buzz from a couple of schools in the building! Has a chance to find a place on the collegiate level!

Newark Academy point guard Zaire Williams had some options! The 5’11 guard could have chosen to walk on at a few D1 schools that had given him that option or he could get a D2 scholarship and play right away! Williams decided to go the latter route as he chose D2 St. Michaels in Vermont to continue his basketball career! Zaire could have walked on to schools such as Miami of Ohio, Niagara or N.J.I.T. and had offers from Stevens, Randolph-Macon and Ramapo to name a few but he chose St.Michaels because in his words” They’re a young team and I will be contributing alot right away”! And as he also said” I’d rather be a big fish in a small pond”! He feels this will prepare him to one day do this on a professional level! Hoop Journal has known Zaire and his family for years and knows that Zaire not only does it on the floor but in the classroom! Congratulations to Zaire’s father Bernard, mother Cruz and younger brothers Ahman and Noah! You have done a great job and the future is very bright!

Here’s a profile of more Player’s from the Hoop Journal Showcase:

1.)  Sammy Singletary—–Kennedy: Sammy is a baller and any school that gets him won’t be sorry! Sammy is a do it all type player who knocks down shots, gets to the rack and defends hard! He has an uncanny knack for finishing around the rim against big men! He shined in the Showcase!

 2.) Jamir Lennon—-Passaic Valley: Jamir played well in the Showcase and showed strong point guard skills! He hit the medium range shot and defended well! Has a nice guard body and can take a pounding!

3.) Nassir Crawford—–Eastside: Nassir has as high a basketball IQ as there is in the area! Smooth player with three point range! Nas is a very good decision maker and he showed that a number of times in the games! Makes his teams better and does what is needed to win!

Here’s a Profile of more Player’s from Hoop Journal Showcase:

1.) Zaire Williams—-Newark Academy: Zaire was a stud in the games! He not only got to the rim at ease,but knocked down perimeter shots throughout including “triples”! He is also a strong on the ball defender and is a quality point guard and a natural leader!

2.) Vin O’Bierne—-Wood Ridge:   Vin is a collegiate player and it’s easy to see! At 6’6 he runs the floor well and has a nice offensive repertoire! He injured himself slightly so was told to be careful and still was one of the better players on the floor! A very good passer which helps upgrade his game!

3.)  Jabe Koribanics—–Seton Hall Prep: Jabe was all over the floor and was one of the better defenders in the showcase! His decision making was very good and he had no problem knocking down shots! Will be nice pick up for a school!

Here’s a Profile on a few of the players that participated in the Hoop Journal Showcase:

1.)  Ky’re Jackson —Eastside H.S.: Ky’re played great in the games, showing why he was an All- County player! He is comfortable in the paint, but actually showed an expansion of his game by knocking down perimeter shots! Had a couple of 20 point games and was a threat on the fast break! He is a College caliber player who needs the right spot! At 6’4 215 he has the makings of a strong wing player!

2.) Marc Wilson— Hudson Catholic:  A stud athlete who showed all his athleticsm in the games played! At 6’1 Marc showed a nice mid range jumper and was a player that did it on both ends of the floor! Scored on follow up dunks and wowed a few of the College Coaches in attendance with his nose for the ball! 

3.) Tyler Kearney—Englewood H.S.: Tyler showed point guard skills with the ability to knock down shots! He has three-point range and is quick off the dribble! Deceptively strong for his size, he was able to finish off plays despite getting  banged around in the paint!

4.) Dan McKinless—-St. Joseph Regional: Dan is multi-talented and showed an ability to create plays and make not only himself look good, but also his teammates! Showed great hands on the defensive end and has true collegiate talent! Being looked at by a number of schools!