D.J. Wagner, a guard from Camden, and Simeon Wilcher, a guard from Roselle Catholic, are two high school basketball players in New Jersey who have caught the attention of college scouts across the nation. Wagner, who has committed to the University of Kentucky, has been named a McDonald’s All-American and was the NJ.com Player of the Year as a sophomore. Wilcher, who has committed to the University of North Carolina, has been an integral part of Roselle Catholic’s team since his freshman year and has shown remarkable versatility as a playmaker and scorer. Both players have impressive resumes, with Wagner finishing his four-year career as the sixth all-time leading scorer in Camden history, and Wilcher leading Roselle Catholic to the final Tournament of Champions title last season. Additionally, Mackenzie Mgbako, a forward from Roselle Catholic who has committed to Duke, and Tarik Watson, a forward from Roselle Catholic who is a junior, are also standout players in New Jersey high school basketball.
All-State First Team for Boys Basketball in New Jersey 2022-23
New Jersey’s boys basketball season was remarkable this winter, with exceptional players who caught the eye of NJ Advance Media’s staff throughout the year. The staff went through their notebooks, stats, and research to bring out this year’s All-State First Team.
Aaron Bradshaw, a senior center from Camden, topped the list, with his excellent performance on the court, making him a valuable asset for the University of Kentucky.
Aaron Bradshaw
Position: Center
Height/Weight: 7-1, 210
College: Kentucky
Aaron Bradshaw, in his second year of varsity ball, delivered a remarkable senior campaign, averaging 12 points, 9.5 rebounds, and more than two blocks per game. Bradshaw also collected 11 double-doubles, and one of his most notable performances was an 11-rebound, 10-block feat against Winslow during the second round of the Camden County Tournament. Bradshaw was named a Naismith third-team All-American and is ranked No. 2 player nationally by 247 Sports for the Class of 2023 and No. 4 in the ESPN 100. Unfortunately, his career came to an end when the Panthers were withdrawn from the Group 2 state tournament following a melee in the title game of the Camden County Tournament against cross-town rival Camden Eastside.
Dylan Harper
Position: Guard
Height/Weight: 6-4, 185
School: Don Bosco Prep
Dylan Harper, a junior from Don Bosco Prep, was another outstanding player who made it to the First Team All-State for Boys Basketball in New Jersey 2022-23. Harper’s talent was undeniable, with an average of 26.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. Harper’s performance was key in helping his team achieve the Bergen County Jamboree title. With a height of 6-4 and a weight of 185, Harper proved to be an asset on the court with his swift moves and remarkable scoring ability.
The All-State First Team for Boys Basketball in New Jersey 2022-23 included other talented players besides Bradshaw and Harper, but these two stood out for their exceptional performances. Their contributions and hard work made them stand out among the rest, and they will undoubtedly continue to excel in their careers.
Mackenzie Mgbako and Dylan Harper: Star Players of New Jersey’s Boys Basketball Season
New Jersey’s boys basketball season in 2022-23 was filled with exceptional talent, with two of the best players being Mackenzie Mgbako from Roselle Catholic and Dylan Harper from Don Bosco Prep.
Dylan Harper
Position: Guard
Height/Weight: 6-4, 185
School: Don Bosco Prep
Dylan Harper, a junior from Don Bosco Prep, was one of the best players on the court every night, going up against the state’s top players and coming out on top. Harper’s talent was undeniable, with a season average of 24.9 points per game. He delivered an outstanding performance against Camden and Kentucky commits DJ Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw, dropping a game-high 36 points in one of the hottest tickets in New Jersey this winter, broadcasted by Showtime. Harper also led all scorers with 27 points in a game against a Roselle Catholic team that featured North Carolina commit Simeon Wilcher, Duke commit Mackenzie Mgbako, and Arizona State commit Akil Watson. Harper’s career-high was an impressive 38 points against Bergen Catholic in the last game of his junior year. Harper’s length allows him to drive and finish at the rim, and his shooting ability has continued to improve. Harper helped Don Bosco Prep win a Bergen County title in 2023 and will look to lead the Ironmen to a state title in 2024.
Mackenzie Mgbako
Position: Forward
Height/Weight: 6-8, 210
College: Duke
Mackenzie Mgbako, a senior from Roselle Catholic, was another star player who caught the attention of many with his incredible talent. Despite missing ten games this season due to an ankle sprain, Mgbako still delivered an outstanding performance, leading Roselle Catholic to their third consecutive state title. Mgbako scored 13 points and took down eight rebounds in his Feb. 27 return, a 90-72 win over St. Thomas Aquinas in the North, Non-Public B semifinals, erupted for 26 points two nights later in a 71-61 victory against Montclair Immaculate in the sectional final, and had 13 points, nine rebounds, and a block in the Lions’ 68-59 win over St. Rose for the Non-Public B state title. Mgbako, a five-star Duke commit, was a First Team All-State selection last year for Gill St. Bernard’s after averaging 19.5 points and 10.6 rebounds. This season, he averaged 16.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.5 blocks. Mgbako has been a closely watched, hard-to-handle talent since he first suited up for Gill St. Bernard’s as a freshman, averaging 14.0 points and 8.2 rebounds that season. He was selected to compete in the McDonald’s All-American Game in Houston on March 28.
Both Harper and Mgbako were exceptional players who contributed significantly to their teams’ success. Their incredible performances and hard work made them stand out among the rest, and they will undoubtedly continue to excel in their basketball careers.
DJ Wagner and Simeon Wilcher: Exceptional Guards of New Jersey’s Boys Basketball Season
New Jersey’s boys basketball season in 2022-23 saw several exceptional players, with two of the best guards being DJ Wagner from Camden and Simeon Wilcher from Roselle Catholic.
DJ Wagner
Position: Guard
Height/Weight: 6-4, 180
School: Camden
DJ Wagner is an outstanding guard who has made history as the only four-time All-State pick, joining Shaheen Holloway and Dajuan Wagner, DJ’s father. Wagner has had an impressive career at Camden, finishing his four-year career as the sixth all-time leading scorer in the school’s history with 2,040 career points. He has been a three-time first-team selection after earning second-team status as a freshman. The Kentucky-bound McDonald’s All-American averaged 22.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists this season, leading the Panthers to a 23-3 overall record and the Olympic National title. Wagner has played in 100 career games, averaging 20.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.9 steals. He led Camden to the Group 2 state title as a junior. Wagner is the No. 2-ranked player in the country in the ESPN 100 for the Class of 2023 and No. 3 by 247 Sports. He was also named a Naismith first-team All-American and the New Jersey Player of the Year by MaxPreps and Gatorade. However, Wagner’s career came to an end when the Camden City School District withdrew the Panthers from the Group 2 state tournament following a melee in the title game of the Camden County Tournament against cross-town rival Camden Eastside.
Simeon Wilcher
Position: Guard
Height/Weight: 6-4, 165
College: North Carolina
Simeon Wilcher is another exceptional guard who has caught the attention of many with his incredible talent. Wilcher, a senior from Roselle Catholic, played a significant role in leading the team to win the NJSIAA Non-Public B boys basketball final, scoring 13 points, taking down eight rebounds, and celebrating with the trophy. Wilcher will be heading to North Carolina for college, where he will undoubtedly continue to excel in his basketball career. He is an impressive athlete who has shown his talent in the court, contributing significantly to Roselle Catholic’s success this season.
Simeon Wilcher and his Contribution to Roselle Catholic’s Success
Simeon Wilcher has been a crucial component of Roselle Catholic’s basketball team since his freshman year, showcasing his facilitation abilities and scoring prowess early on in his career. Despite playing alongside high-caliber talents such as Mackenzie Mgbako and Tarik Watson, Wilcher’s versatile skill set allowed him to step up and lead the team to victory when his teammates were sidelined with injuries.
This season, Wilcher averaged 15.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, with 1,201 career points by the end of his high school career. He was also named to the First Team All-State last year, leading the Lions to the final Tournament of Champions title with an impressive average of 16.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 2.0 steals per game.
In one notable game, Wilcher’s performance against prep power Calvary Christian (Fla.) demonstrated his remarkable versatility, scoring 19 points, collecting five rebounds, six assists, and two steals to secure a 69-64 victory.
Wilcher’s talent and hard work were recognized when he committed to playing for the North Carolina Tar Heels in college. With his dedication and exceptional skills on the court, it’s clear that Wilcher has a bright future ahead of him in the world of basketball.
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