2026 NJ Frosh/Soph #E75 Recap - Best of the Guards pt. 1

Tuesday, October 6th, 2026

This past Sunday, we hosted our inaugural Frosh/Soph Elite 75 in the state of New Jersey at Lyndhurst Middle School. 

Underclassmen from all over the Mid-Atlantic region filed in to put their talents on display in what was a very strong group. As we continue to go through our notes from the event, we will begin our recap with a look at some of the guards who suited up for the event.

Here's part one of our recap!

Quincy Meeks, Seton Hall Prep - Meeks plays with a slick, fluid style that makes getting to the hoop look effortless. His handle is tight, allowing him to change speeds and carve up transition defense before the backline can set up. At 6'1", he has a soft touch around the rim with either hand and finishes high off the glass. He made his game felt despite a late arrival and looks to be a nice sophomore piece for Seton Hall Prep moving forward. 

Jamel Thomas Jr, Don Bosco Prep - At 6'4", Thomas plays with a level of patience you rarely see in young guards. He never forces contested looks or out-of-control drives, making the right read as soon as he touches the paint. If the lane is clear, he adjusts smoothly in mid-air to score; if help arrives, he immediately hits the open shooter. The son of a former professional, Thomas Jr has early size to complement his strong backcourt play. 

Ryan Grundy, Montgomery High School - Grundy plays with a good sense of timing, knowing when to turn the corner and hunt his own shot or when to create for others with his playmaking chops. His change of pace and creativity off the bounce make him tough to contain, while his ability to knock down shots off the catch keeps defenders honest. He can let it fly at multiple levels and when he gets things rolling he can be hard to stop.

Jack Grundy, Montgomery High School - Scoring pressure is a defining part of Grundy’s game. He is constantly looking for ways to attack, whether that comes from catching the ball in space or creating his own opportunity in isolation. His ability to turn those opportunities into paint touches makes him a consistent threat when he has the ball in his hands and he showed just that this past weekend.

Miles Middleton, Trinity School - Middleton plays two steps ahead of the defense. In transition, he leaks out and delivers crisp advance passes for easy layups. In half-court sets, he stays active without the ball, continuously relocating along the arc to give his drivers a clean kick-out target. He can attack the defense off the dribble consistently too, exposing lanes to get to the cup or rising up into shots from beyond the line.

Emmanuel Boben, Iona Prep - Timing stands out as a strength for Boben, particularly in his cutting, where he does a good job finding openings in the defense. He also brings a strong presence on the glass, competing for rebounds and extending possessions when opportunities are available. He does a nice job of using his stronger frame on drives to absorb contact on the way to the basket as well.

Elias Boben, Iona Prep - Pull-up shooting gives Boben a reliable way to create offense without needing much separation. He complements that skill with active movement away from the ball, constantly relocating into open pockets and making himself available for the next action. The combination gives him a natural scoring rhythm within the flow of the offense and upside in the freshman class.

Tierry Smith, Millbrook - Smith brings a strong point guard presence, directing traffic and keeping teammates connected on both ends. His communication is a major asset, while active hands and athleticism allow him to make plays defensively. Offensively, he can create off the bounce and has the passing ability to consistently generate quality looks for others. His blend of shotmaking and leadership in the backcourt definitely stand out.

Andrew Sokenu, Millbrook - Sokenu is an athletic perimeter defender who locks in on every possession. He slides his feet well to keep opposing guards out of the paint, and his vertical pop lets him contest jump shots high without picking up cheap fouls. He plays extremely hard with a running motor and has the upside to really be a nice piece for Millbrook moving forward in the sophomore class.

Frederico Negron, Arts HS - Negron plays with extreme confidence from outside, capable of rattling off three or four triples in a flash. He pulls up comfortably from deep behind the line, and even if he misses a couple early, his aggressive scoring mindset never wavers, keeping defenders permanently on edge.