The unique and unfortunate year that 2020 has become saw a lot of kids lose opportunities to grow and gain opportunities in the 2021 class. The 2022 is not excluded from that as a host of talented prospects looking to take the next step in their development had that opportunity slowed as well. Today we switch gears a bit to look at five talented below the radar 2022 prospects that deserve more attention moving forward…
Note – Listed in alphabetical order
Leon Bond – 6’5 – F – Wauwatosa East (WI)
A highly skilled and athletic forward that can slide between 2, 3 and the 4 but looks the part of a versatile wing at the next level. Bond has plus length, excellent physical tools, elite bounce, an ability to finish in transition, he can score at the mid-range level off the bounce and with his back to the basket, and he’s shown an improved perimeter stroke with range that extends beyond the arc. A talented Division 1 prospect that looks the part of a high major talent, Bond currently holds offers from UW-Milwaukee, Eastern Michigan, Western Illinois, etc. while also hearing from a host of mid and high major programs right now. The talented forward double as an excellent student and he’s one to pay close attention to the next 8-12 months as his stock should soar substantially.
Connor Essegian – 6’4 – SG – Central Noble (IN)
A top up and coming marksman in the 2022 class, Essegian looks and feels like a rewind to Kyle Guy who flew under the radar until a breakout performance at the NY2LA Sports Summer Jam a few years back. The rest with Guy is history and Essegian etched his name firmly in the NY2LA Sports history book with an electric performance at this fall’s Futures Camp where he captured MVP honors for the 2022 class. He has an elite perimeter stroke that he pairs with excellent instincts, feel, solid physical tools, an ability to handle the ball, and he can score and create at multiple levels. Politics aside Essegian could very well be a top 100 national prospect in the 2022 class and he’s a legitimate potential high major Division 1 prospect.
Nick Martinelli – 6’7 – F – Glenbrook South (IL)
A classic scoring wing with an ability to finish at multiple levels and do so in dominant fashion. Martinelli was exceptional at this past fall’s NY2LA Sports Futures Camp and while his brother flew under the radar in Illinois during his high school career, Nick is a bit taller and is making a lot of noise and generating a lot of attention. The young man can really play and he can really score and his ability to play multiple positions makes him a versatile legitimate Division 1 prospect in the state of Illinois.
Bryce Moore – 6’5 – G/F – Carmel (IL)
A slashing athletic wing that can score in bunches and mix in a fill the box score mentality with excellent potential both offensively and defensively. I really like what he can bring to the table with his activity and athleticism and he pairs that with versatility and skill to make for a highly intriguing prospect. A sleeper so to speak in the 2022 class, Moore’s best basketball lies in front of him and he could be in for a jump over the next 8-12 months.
Jamauri Winfrey – 6’3 – G – Peoria Richwoods (IL)
A talented up and coming guard with an ability to score at multiple levels and clean the glass with the best of them. He attacks the rim well in transition and he has the same ability to do so off the bounce in half court sets. His activity and effort are the keys to his floor production and when fully locked in he can really fill the box score and contribute at a high level on both ends. One of those sleepers that could become a nice story next spring and summer, Winfrey is one to really watch closely moving forward.