In his first games with his new team, sophomore guard Jayden Pierre shows why he will help lead Elizabeth this season.
The Minutemen have a 2-0 start to the season largely due to the play of the sophomore this weekend at the Hoop Group Showcase in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
It was Pierre’s first official appearance with the Minutemen since transferring from The Patrick School.
Jayden Pierre scored 16 points on Saturday against Neptune and finished with 25 points and 10 assists on Sunday’s win against Don Bosco Prep.
Pierre is a well-rounded guard who makes high-impact plays. He plays loose but also poised with the ball in his hands with a crafty handle at his disposal. Pierre does a great job of using his long strides to extend his movements and turn corners on defenders.
At around 6’0 but with long arms, Pierre tends to play bigger than his frame. He takes bumps on drives and isn’t bothered by physical play, while that’s not exactly his style. Pierre attacks the basket with purpose and his one-handed, one-foot dunks on downhill drives are becoming a staple. When he’s not taking off for finishes at the rim, Pierre uses his speed and wit to reach the lane off of reversals and dribble drive action. He’s shown the ability to stop and pull up and make decisions off two feet.
Playing for Elizabeth head coach Phil Colicchio, now in his second season with his alma mater after building up Linden into a state powerhouse, the emphasis is known to be the defense. That’s fine with Pierre, as he blends well with other tough and speedy guards who take pride in turning and disrupting ball handlers.
Pierre told me that Colicchio encourages him to remind people that he’s the best player in the state. Not a bad vote of confidence from a coach with six state titles. The sophomore seems to be embracing it.
He holds offers from the likes of Florida, Rutgers, and Robert Morris.
