By ADAM ZAGORIA
The 2020 Metro Classic featured some of the top high school teams and players in America, and once again proved that it’s the premier non-holiday tournament in the nation.
Over 11,000 fans attended the events in Toms River, N.J. across two weekends in January and February and the event raised over $10,000 in charity for the Peoples Pantry. Games were broadcast on ESPN3.
Among the VIP attendees to watch the action were UConn coach Dan Hurley, Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell, Temple coach Aaron McKie, former NBA star Kerry Kittles, Andre Barrett, William “World Wide Wes” Wesley (who is soon to be employed by the Knicks), Rod Strickland, Dajuan Wagner and Savannah James, LeBron’s wife.
For more on “World Wide” Wes and Strickand scouting talent, read my piece on NJ.com.
After moving from Kean University in Union to RWJBarnabas Health Arena in Toms River, the event sold out, raising the question of what’s next for the Metro Classic? Could it move to someplace bigger in the future, like the Prudential Center?
Here is the 10-man All-Metro Classic team:
Andre Curbelo, 6-1 Sr. PG, Long Island Lutheran – ILLINOIS
The native of Puerto Rico stole the show on Saturday night, putting up 23 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals in an 86-74 win over Sierra Canyon (CA).
Illinois is getting a special talent in @papicurbelo11 of @LuHiBasketball pic.twitter.com/Dtat2tgnAL
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) February 9, 2020
Zed Key, 6-8 Sr. F, Long Island Lutheran – OHIO STATE
The Ohio State pledge went 25 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks against a big, tough and talented Sierra Canyon front line.
Ohio State pledge @iamzedkey has 25 as @LuHiBasketball is about to knock off @sierracanyon pic.twitter.com/w8DIwfzGPt
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) February 9, 2020
Jonathan Kuminga, 6-8 Jr. F, Patrick School
A projected lottery pick in the 2021 NBA Draft per ESPN.com, Kuminga went for 10 points 6 rebounds and 4 assists on Friday in the win over Huntington (W.V.) Prep and then had 19 points and 6 rebounds in Saturday’s victory over Jersey rival Wildwood Catholic.
🏀 Big star + big stage = Jonathan Kuminga at the Metro Classic! Kuminga powers The Patrick School past Wildwood Catholic in a Non-Public showdown. 😤
— Jersey Sports Zone (@JSZ_Sports) February 9, 2020
Watch the FULL 🎥 HERE ⬇️https://t.co/gwOljCgLcP@tps_hsbb @JonathanKuming6 @MetroClassic pic.twitter.com/XEgwjNOR3m
Adama Sanogo, 6-10 Jr. F, Patrick School
With UConn’s Hurley and Rutgers’ Pikiell on hand Friday, the Mali native put up 18 points and 10 rebounds while dominating the Huntington Prep front line. He then added 13 and 8 in Saturday’s win over Wildwood Catholic. Sanogo also made the All-Hoophall Team last month.
#UConn target Adama Sanogo highlights from last week’s big win
— CUE THE MUSIC (@Cue_the_Music) February 5, 2020
(via @tps_hsbb https://t.co/jkeHbsn0iB) pic.twitter.com/zXgWyXHHlj
D.J. Wagner, 6-2 So. G, Camden
A third-generation star following in the footsteps of his grandfather Milt Wagner and his father Dajuan Wagner, D.J. continues to make a name for himself. He went for 19 points in the win over Gill St. Bernard’s.
DJ Wagner scored 19 to lead Camden to a BIG win at Metro Classic 😤🔥 pic.twitter.com/pOaAgpLUa7
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) February 9, 2020
TaQuan Woodley, 6-7 Jr. F, Camden
Woodley continued to ascend as an interior force at Camden (18-1) by going for 10 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 6 blocks and a steal in the win over Gill St. Bernard’s.
Ziaire Williams, 6-7 Sr. F, Sierra Canyon
The uncommitted senior forward scored 15 points in Friday’s win over Gill St. Bernard’s, and then had 20 in Saturday’s loss to Curbelo and LuHi. He told ZAGSBLOG he’s considering six schools and will decide when he’s ready.
Sierra Canyon comin in HOT🔥🔥@bboston_ @therealZiaire @SCanyonSports #TGT #BBN #MetroClassic @MetroClassic pic.twitter.com/QqxIPz8ab1
— Who’s Next (@WhosNextHS) February 8, 2020
B.J. Boston, 6-6 Sr. F, Sierra Canyon – KENTUCKY
The Kentucky commit went for 15 in Friday’s win over Gill St. Bernard’s and then had 20 in the loss to LuHi. Boston also made the All-Hoophall Classic team in January.
Sierra Canyon comin in HOT🔥🔥@bboston_ @therealZiaire @SCanyonSports #TGT #BBN #MetroClassic @MetroClassic pic.twitter.com/QqxIPz8ab1
— Who’s Next (@WhosNextHS) February 8, 2020
A.J. Hoggard, 6-3 Sr. PG, Huntington Prep (MICHIGAN STATE)
The Michigan State-bound floor general went for 15 points in Friday’s loss to the Patrick School and 18 in Saturday’s win over Rutgers Prep.
AJ Hoggard thriving in a time crunch🔥@ajhoggard3 @HuntingtonPrep @MetroClassic #metroclassic #GoGreen #SpartanDawgs pic.twitter.com/euRR2DPZSd
— Who’s Next (@WhosNextHS) February 8, 2020
Denver Anglin, 6-0 So. G, Gill St. Bernard’s
The 6-foot sophomore took his game to a new level, dropping 30 points in the loss to Camden, accounting for almost half his team’s points.
Honorable mention: Quadry Adams, St. Thomas Aquinas; Trey Patterson, Rutgers Prep; Jared Garcia, St. Thomas More.
Photo: Newsday
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