New Jersey’s High School Basketball Roots Run Deep in the NCAA Tournament

Every March, the NCAA Tournament becomes college basketball’s biggest stage and scattered across rosters and coaching staffs this year is a familiar thread for Garden State basketball fans. From Camden to Jersey City to Elizabeth, a number of players and coaches who once starred on New Jersey high school courts are now preparing to compete in the sport’s most celebrated event.

Their paths are different, but their stories all begin in gyms and on blacktops throughout New Jersey.

UConn Head Coach Dan Hurley – St. Anthony

Point guard Dan Hurley starred at St. Anthony High School in Jersey City under father, legendary coach Bob Hurley Sr., during one of the most dominant eras in New Jersey basketball. Hurley helped lead the Friars to four consecutive NJSIAA state championships (1988-1991) and capped his senior season with a 31-1 record and No. 2 national ranking. Known for his leadership and defensive intensity, Hurley was considered one of the state’s top point guards before going on to star at Seton Hall.

Honors / Achievements

Multiple-time All-Hudson County selection
Key contributor to 4 straight state championships
Team finished 31-1 nationally ranked No. 2 his senior year

Arkansas

D.J. Wagner – Camden

One of the most decorated guards in modern New Jersey basketball, D.J. Wagner starred at Camden High School and finished his career with 2,040 points while leading Camden to a 94-5 record during his varsity career. As a junior he averaged 19.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.1 steals while leading Camden to the NJSIAA Group 2 state championship. As a senior he averaged 22.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3 assists per game.

Honors / Achievements

McDonald’s All-American
3x Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year
NJ.com Player of the Year
3× First Team All-State
Iverson Classic National High School Player of the Year
Nike Hoop Summit selection

Billy Richmond – St. Joseph (Metuchen)

Wing Billy Richmond emerged as a national recruit while playing at St. Joseph High School. The 6-6 forward averaged 19.6 points per game during his senior season, while also contributing strong rebounding numbers and defensive production against elite non-public competition.

Honors / Achievements

Consensus Top-100 national recruit
Named Honorable Mention All-State by several organizations
Key contributor for perennial Non-Public powerhouse St. Joseph

Howard

Isaiah Brown – St. Rose (Belmar)

Guard Isaiah Brown began his high school career at St. Rose High School where he quickly became one of the Shore Conference’s most productive scorers. During his sophomore season he averaged 10.6 per game, showing strong shooting ability and playmaking before eventually transferring to prep school.

Honors / Achievements

Shore Conference standout guard
All-Division recognition

Kansas

Elmarko Jackson – St. Augustine Prep

Before moving to national prep powerhouse Academy of the New Church, Elmarko Jackson first developed at St. Augustine Prep in South Jersey. As a junior this versatile guard averaged 17.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 2 steals per game, showcasing elite all-around production.

Honors / Achievements

McDonald’s All-American
Top-25 national recruit
All-Conference honors

Kentucky

Otega Oweh – Blair Academy

Athletic wing Otega Oweh starred at Blair Academy, averaging 14.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while competing in one of the toughest prep schedules in the Northeast. Oweh routinely produced double-digit scoring games while contributing rebounds, steals and strong perimeter defense against national competition.

Honors / Achievements

National Top-100 recruit
All-Prep honors
High-major Division I recruit

Lehigh

Joshua Ingram – The Patrick School

Combo guard Joshua Ingram developed at The Patrick School in Elizabeth, a national prep powerhouse. Playing against elite competition, Ingram consistently contributed as a scorer and secondary playmaker, averaging 21.6 points per game as a senior.

Honors / Achievements

Played on nationally ranked prep program
All-league recognition

Michigan

Elliott Cadeau – Bergen Catholic

Elite point guard Elliott Cadeau attended Bergen Catholic early in his high school career before moving to national prep competition. Cadeau became known for his elite playmaking ability and high assist totals, regularly posting double-digit assist games while orchestrating the offense. He averaged 11.3 points and 5.5 assists per game in his one season at Bergen Catholic.

Honors / Achievements

Top-20 national recruit
Elite international and AAU performer

Yaxel Lendeborg – Pennsauken High School

Forward Yaxel Lendeborg had a brief but productive high school career at Pennsauken High School before academic issues limited his time on the court. During his lone varsity season with the Indians before moving on to prep school, Lendeborg appeared in 11 games and scored 146 total points, averaging 13.3 points per game while also contributing significant rebounding and interior defense. Despite the shortened season, the 6-foot-9 forward showed flashes of the athleticism and physicality that would later define his college career.

Honors / Achievements

Top-50 national recruit
Elite prep school and AAU performer

Nebraska

Simeon Wilcher – Roselle Catholic

Guard Simeon Wilcher was one of the top players in the state while leading Roselle Catholic to back-to-back Non-Public B state championships. As a senior he averaged 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game, scoring double figures in 20 of 25 contests.

Honors / Achievements

McDonald’s All-American
NJ.com First Team All-State
Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year candidate
Key player on nationally ranked Roselle Catholic teams

Siena

Antonio Chandler – Piscataway

Guard Antonio Chandler played at Piscataway High School where he helped the Chiefs remain competitive in the Greater Middlesex Conference. Known for his scoring ability and defensive pressure, Chandler developed against one of the toughest schedules in New Jersey. He averaged 17.8 points per game as a senior.

Honors / Achievements

Greater Middlesex Conference standout
All-conference recognition

TCU

Jayden Pierre – Elizabeth

Guard Jayden Pierre was one of Union County’s top scorers during his career at Elizabeth High School. As a senior he averaged 18.1 points per game, combining perimeter shooting with aggressive drives to the basket.

Honors / Achievements

All-Union County selection
All-Group honors

Troy

Jamarques Lawrence – Roselle Catholic

Dynamic guard Jamarques Lawrence starred at perennial power Roselle Catholic where he averaged 15.9 points and 5.0 rebounds in leading the Lions to a 29-2 record. Known for his scoring and playmaking ability, Lawrence routinely produced double-digit scoring games while helping the Marauders compete for county and conference titles.

Honors / Achievements

First-Team All-State
First-Team All-Union County

UCLA Assistant Coach

Darren Savino – St. Anthony

Before becoming a longtime college assistant coach, Darren Savino played at St. Anthony High School in Jersey City under Bob Hurley Sr., learning the disciplined defensive system that made the Friars a national powerhouse.

Honors / Achievements

Member of nationally-ranked St. Anthony program
State championship contender

Wisconsin

Nick Boyd – St. Mary (Rutherford) / Don Bosco Prep

Guard Nick Boyd transferred from Don Bosco Prep to St. Mary High School where he became one of the state’s most prolific scorers, averaging 26.4 points per game as a senior. The crafty lefthanded Boyd scored 1,083 career high school points in just 41 games and set the St. Mary school record with 747 points as a senior.

Honors / Achievements

League Player of the Year
All-State selection
St. Mary single-season scoring record holder