A short 2021 high school basketball season didn’t stop the top players in New Jersey to make a MAJOR impact. Jersey Sports Zone proudly announces our five finalists for our player of the year award. Watch our highlight reels from the best of the best from the Garden State and learn more about JSZ’s post-season coverage which begins next week.

Mr. Hoop Zone balloting

Voting for the 2021 Mr. Hoop Zone is underway. Numerous coaches from conferences spanning the entire state – along with JSZ’s staff of MMJ’s and other reputable, credentialed media – are casting ballots for the top player. Every ballot has a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place vote with three points awarded for 1st, two for 2nd, and one point for 3rd.

The winner will be announced on March 19 and will join a talented collection of players to bring home JSZ’s annual boys basketball honor. In addition, we will present our JSZ All-Zone boys and girls basketball teams featuring 40 players from public and non-public basketball for each team. That coverage begins this Monday. Here are the JSZ Mister Hoop Zone finalists in alphabetical order and their highlight reels.

Meet the 2021 JSZ Mr. Hoop Zone Finalists

Corey Floyd, Jr. – Roselle Catholic, Junior

The first two Mr. Hoop Zone winners (Naz Reid and Kahlil Whitney) are Roselle Catholic Lions and Floyd looks to add to the legacy. Floyd averaged 14.3 points per game to lead RC to a 12-3 record in a shortened season. He erupted for a career-high 30 points in a road win at St. Joe-Metuchen and reached double digits in 11 games.

As a sophomore, Floyd Jr. was a major piece to the Lions’ 22-7 team that won the Non-Public B North sectional final a day before the NJSIAA shut down winter sports due to coronavirus concerns. He averaged 11.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 27 games in the 2019-2020 season. Floyd has given a verbal commitment to play for coach Dan Hurley and UConn choosing the Huskies over offers from Rutgers, Providence, Florida, Auburn, Wake Forest and Miami. Check out the dynamic reel from Corey’s junior season:

Samson Johnson – The Patrick School, Senior

As the Patrick School makes the shift from the NJSIAA to the Prep ranks, Samson Johnson is part of the JSZ Mister Hoop Zone podium due to the Celtics playing their traditional schedule against great teams across the state. The lone senior among our five finalists, Johnson averaged 15 points and 5.6 rebounds per game for coach Chris Chavannes. The Celtics went 13-1 in 2021 and Johnson shined in big time matchups highlighted by a 19 point, 14 rebound, 6 assist effort against Montclair Immaculate and a 15 point, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Johnson continues the New Jersey pipeline to Storrs where he’ll play for Dan Hurley and the UConn Huskies. Watch Johnson’s throw downs and all around complete game in his senior year highlight reel:

Will Richardson, Bergen Catholic, Junior

The four-star junior prospect saw his team shut down by COVID but still shined with 18.8 points per game in nine games. Richardson had 18 points in the Crusaders biggest win of 2021, a 60-53 victory against the Patrick School. He currently holds 12 offers including Vanderbilt, Seton Hall, St. John’s, Penn State, TCU and Saint Louis. The top-100 national prospect is more than comfortable on the big stage and his JSZ junior year highlight reel proves it.

Ben Roy, Manasquan, Junior

The two-time Shore Conference player of the year has seen his recruiting stock rise dramatically. Manasquan won back to back Shore Conference championships and the Warriors have emerged as a top-5 team in 2020 and 2021 despite COVID shutting down and shortening those seasons. Roy is an elite playmaker who has guided Manasquan to a 43-1 record over the last two seasons. What’s even more impressive is the out of conference wins: Don Bosco Prep, Montclair Immaculate, Trenton Catholic and Life Center. Averaging 24 points a game with great three-point shooting range and dynamic drives to the bucket, Roy’s biggest play of his junior season was a pass to Andrew Solomon in overtime to give the Warriors a 58-56 win. Watch JSZ’s highlight reel of Ben Roy’s sensational junior campaign:

DJ Wagner, Camden, Sophomore

The #1 ranked player in America for the class of 2023 continues his amazing high school career. Wagner averaged 22 points on the way to a perfect 13-0 record. In the midst of all the hype, Wagner continues to develop his game and improve. With two more years of high school basketball for The High, Wagner is going to be one of the most watched players in the nation. JSZ has the exciting highlight reel from the highly recruited phenom: