As of late we honor our underclass gamers of the yr D.J. Wagner (Juniors), Ian Jackson (Sophomores) and Cameron Boozer (Novices) at the side of Nationwide Trainer of the 12 months Joe Auer of Heights (Wichita, Kan.). Those gamers at the side of 2021-22 Mr. Basketball USA Dariq Whitehead will headline the twenty eighth Annual Elite All-American Crew.
2021-22 Mr. Basketball USA: Dariq Whitehead, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) 6-5 G Sr.
The Duke-bound wing guard is the fourth nationwide participant of the yr from Montverde Academy up to now 8 seasons. He used to be a part of two FAB 50 nationwide championship groups for the Eagles and led them to a No. 2 score this previous season as a senior. To view the overall Mr. Basketball USA free up, the Mr. Basketball Tracker balloting effects, and feedback from Montverde Academy trainer Kevin Boyle, CLICK HERE.
For all-time Mr. Basketball USA honorees courting again to 1954-55, CLICK HERE
2022 Nationwide Junior of the 12 months: DJ Wagner, Camden (N.J.) 6-3 G
Despite the fact that he got here up simply in need of his function of main Camden to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Affiliation (NJSIAA) Match of Champions crown, it used to be some other impressive and a success season for the son and grandson of former NBA gamers. Wagner led “The Top” to its first TOC name recreation since 1999-2000, the yr his father Dajuan Wagner led the Panthers to the TOC crown.
Wagner had a blank glance within the ultimate seconds of the 61-58 loss to Roselle Catholic (N.J.) within the TOC ultimate and completed with 23 issues and 6 steals, as Camden completed 31-3 and No. 12 within the ultimate FAB 50. For the season, Wagner averaged 19.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.3 apg and three.5 spg in opposition to a countrywide agenda and hard in-state festival. Wagner if truth be told were given to play the primary whole season of his highschool profession, as his freshman season used to be minimize quick by way of the COVID-19 outbreak, whilst there used to be no post-season in 2020-21 when he averaged 22.0 ppg for a 13-0 group that completed No. 5 within the FAB 50. In 3 seasons with Wagner within the lineup, Camden has received 73 of 77 video games with a season to move.
Ron Holland of FAB 50 No. 1 Duncanville used to be the one different junior regarded as for this honor. Holland seemed on two of the 10 ballots within the ultimate Mr. Basketball USA Tracker and netted 4 issues (together with a last-place vote), whilst Wagner completed in 5th position at the back of main vote getter Dariq Whitehead with 36 issues. Wagner seemed on 8 ballots, together with 3 third-place votes, by way of a ways the most productive appearing of any underclassman. Wagner has been named elegance participant of the yr in every of his 3 highschool seasons and the final participant to earn best honors in every season of his four-year profession used to be OJ Mayo of Huntington (W. Va.) between 2004-07. The final time a New Jersey participant earned best honors amongst juniors got here in 1995-96, when Anthony Perry led now defunct St. Anthony (Jersey Town, N.J.) to the FAB 50 nationwide name.
For all-time Junior Participant of the 12 months honorees courting again to 1966-67, CLICK HERE
2022 Nationwide Sophomore of the 12 months: Ian Jackson, Cardinal Hayes (N.J.) 6-5 F
It used to be a break-out season of types for the proficient wing who led the Cardinals to their 2d New York Catholic Top College Athletic Affiliation (CHSAA) town name in 5 seasons. Jackson is thought of as probably the most very best potentialities within the nationwide 2024 elegance, however he in point of fact didn’t get an opportunity to turn how proficient he used to be as a freshman since the CHSAA didn’t habits a 2020-21 common season on account of COVID-19.
Jackson displayed his athleticism, ability stage and unending motor by way of averaging 19.8 ppg, 5 rpg and 4 apg for a Cardinal Hayes group that bounced again from shedding to Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.) within the Archdiocesan name recreation to defeat the similar membership, 79-59, within the CHSAA town name recreation. Jackson had 21 issues and 4 assists in that recreation for a group that completed ranked No. 19 within the FAB 50 at 26-3, together with a break up of 4 video games with Stepinac.
Taking part in along CHSAA MVP Tobe Awaka, Jackson used to be a primary group all-CHSAA variety and final summer season used to be a member of the 2021 USA Basketball 16U Nationwide Crew that captured the gold medal on the 2021 FIBA Americas 16U Championship in Xalpala, Mexico. Jackson is the primary sophomore honoree from New York since Lance Stephenson (Lincoln, Brooklyn) in 2007 and the primary CHSAA variety since Felipe Lopez of now defunct Rice (New York) in 1992.
For all-time Sophomore Participant of the 12 months honorees courting again to 1967-68, CLICK HERE
2022 Nationwide Freshman of the 12 months: Cameron Boozer, Columbus (Miami, Fla.) 6-8 F
Remaining season there wasn’t a simple selection, as within the case in some years, and the 2024 staff didn’t get a lot of an opportunity to be evaluated in entrance of nationwide media or school coaches throughout the summer season of 2020. That wasn’t the case for the category of 2025. Remaining summer season one of the vital freshmen-to-be grew to become scouts’ eyes, specifically Boozer, Cooper Flagg (Nokomis, Newport, Maine) and Koa Peat (Perry, Gilbert, Ariz.). All 3 of them grew to become in terrific seasons in main their respective group to a state name, however Boozer used to be the one one to steer his group to a victory over a FAB 50 ranked membership. It used to be a detailed resolution, however his ability stage and main his group to a state name in Florida’s very best classification used to be the adaptation.
Auer has led this system for 27 seasons and is now smartly over 400 profession victories. Auer additionally coached Heights’ baseball program for 17 season and recorded 282 wins at the diamond. Previous this season, he went over 700 profession victories throughout each sports activities. Subsequent yr’s Heights group might be robust, too, with first group Magnificence 6A first group all-state select Marcus Zeigler returning for his senior season, at the side of proficient T.J. Williams, a junior-to-be. Auer is the primary ever training honoree from Kansas courting again to the 1969-70 season.
For all-time Nationwide Trainer of the 12 months honorees courting again to 1969-70, CLICK HERE
Ronnie Flores is the nationwide Grassroots editor of Ballislife.com. He may also be reached at ronnie@ballislife.com. Don’t overlook to observe him on Twitter: @RonMFlores