​THE BRICK CITY 50: Newark's Greatest Basketball Legends (1980-Present)

Newark's Basketball Legacy: A City of Champions!

(Newark, New Jersey, 2025) America tried to forget Newark. After the ’67 riots, the headlines stuck: crime, decay, abandonment. But while outsiders wrote obituaries, basketballs kept bouncing—on cracked asphalt, in dimly lit gyms, and through school hallways that doubled as proving grounds

This is not another list. This is evidence.

This isn’t just a list.

It’s a reckoning.

From J.R. Smith kissing two Larry O’Brien trophies to Tristan Thompson turning lottery expectations into $130 million and longevity, from Randy Foye—born with his heart on the wrong side of his chest—becoming a top-10 NBA pick out of East Side High, Newark never stopped producing excellence.

For decades, that excellence was ignored or dismissed as an “inner-city anomaly,” as if zip codes dictate ceilings. The numbers say otherwise. Per capita, Newark has produced more NBA players, champions, first-round picks, and McDonald’s All-Americans than nearly any city in America—often from gyms with fewer resources than suburban prep factories.

This list will start arguments. It should.

It’s not polite. It’s not safe.

It’s the unapologetic ranking of the 50 greatest basketball players to emerge from Newark high schools since 1980—a story of talent forged under pressure and refined through adversity.

THE CONTROVERSIAL TOP 10 (Tag Someone Who'll Argue)

1. J.R. SMITH | St. Benedict's Prep | Class of 2004

THE PEOPLE'S CHAMPION

Achievements: 2x NBA Champion (2016, 2020) • 2013 NBA Sixth Man of the Year • 16-year NBA veteran • $90M+ career earnings • McDonald's All-American co-MVP • 18th overall pick (2004) • 27 PPG senior year at St. Benedict's

Legacy: The most decorated NBA champion from Newark and its most iconic basketball personality.

2. TRISTAN THOMPSON | St. Benedict's Prep | Class of 2010

THE QUIET ASSASSIN

Achievements: NBA Champion (2016) • 14-year NBA veteran (active) • $130M+ career earnings • 4th overall pick (2011) • McDonald's All-American • Cavaliers franchise record 447 consecutive games played • Led St. Benedict's to 24-1 record, #2 national ranking

Legacy: Highest-drafted Newark product of his era who turned lottery status into generational wealth and longevity.

3. PRECIOUS ACHIUWA | St. Benedict's Prep | Class of 2019

THE FUTURE

Achievements: 20th overall pick (2020) • 2023 NBA Finals appearance • McDonald's All-American Game leading scorer (22 pts) • AAC Player & Freshman of the Year at Memphis (15.8 PPG, 10.8 RPG) • 5-year NBA veteran (active)

Legacy: Most recent Newark McDonald's All-American showing All-Star potential in the modern NBA.

4. ANTHONY AVENT | Malcolm X Shabazz | Class of 1987

THE PUBLIC-SCHOOL BLUEPRINT

Achievements: 15th overall pick (1991) • 6-year NBA veteran (352 games) • 1995 NBA Finals with Orlando • 1989 NCAA Final Four with Seton Hall • Back-to-back sectional titles at Shabazz • Group III state finals both years

Legacy: Proved Newark public schools could produce NBA talent before the prep school era.

6. SAMARDO SAMUELS | St. Benedict's Prep | Class of 2008

THE CAN'T-MISS PRODIGY

Achievements: 2008 USA Today National Player of the Year • McDonald's All-American • #2 national recruit • 24.2 PPG, 10.7 RPG senior year • Led St. Benedicts to 24-1 record • Louisville standout (Big East All-Rookie) • NBA/international career spanning 13 countries

Legacy: Perhaps the most highly touted high school player in Newark history whose professional journey took an unexpected path.

7. LANCE THOMAS | St. Benedict's Prep | Class of 2006

THE WINNER

Achievements: 2010 NCAA National Champion (Duke) • 8-year NBA veteran ($24M+ earnings) • McDonald's All-American • NJ Prep Player of the Year • 56-3 record at St. Benedict's • New York Knicks captain • 57% career FG% at Duke

Legacy: Championship pedigree at every level—high school, college, and professional.

8. TYLER ENNIS | St. Benedict's Prep | Class of 2013

THE FRESHMAN PHENOM

Achievements: 18th overall pick (2014) • Led Syracuse to 25-0 start, #1 ranking as freshman • Iconic buzzer-beater vs. Pitt • 31-2 record, TOC champion at St. Benedict's • 53-point school record • Star-Ledger Prep Player of the Year

Legacy: Author of one of the greatest freshman point guard seasons in college basketball history.

9. RANDY FOYE | East Side High School | Class of 2002

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL PRODIGY

Achievements: 7th overall pick (2006) • 11-year NBA veteran (10,000+ points) • NBA All-Rookie First Team • Big East Player of the Year, Consensus All-American • Led East Side to 2002 Group IV State Championship • NJ Player of the Year (2002) • Born with situs inversus (heart on right side)

Legacy: Proved Newark public schools could still produce lottery picks in the 2000s.

10. TREVON DUVAL | St. Benedict's Prep | Class of 2017

THE FIVE-STAR QUESTION

Achievements: #1 point guard nationally, #3 overall recruit • First player to win both Under Armour Association & Nike Peach Jam • Duke freshman: 207 assists (4th-most in program history) • 31-6 record, NCSAA State Championship at St. Benedict's

Legacy: Embodied the highest level of high school recruiting hype from Newark.

THE ELITE: Ranks 11-20

11. Isaiah Briscoe | St. Benedict's Prep/Roselle Catholic | Class of 2015

Achievements: Born in Newark, third cousin of Kyrie Irving • Ranked #10 nationally, #1 point guard • Back-to-back state titles • 27 points in TOC championship • Kentucky standout • NBA debut with Orlando Magic

12. Michael Young | St. Benedict's Prep | Class of 2013

Achievements: Jordan Brand Classic selection • Pittsburgh: 1,835 career points (7th all-time) • 2x All-ACC Third Team • 32-2 record at St. Benedict's, #2 national ranking • 19 points/10 rebounds in NHSI championship

13. John Holland | St. Benedict's Prep | Class of ~2007

Achievements: NBA: 25 games with Cleveland (2017-18), 2018 Eastern Conference Champion • Boston University: 2nd all-time scorer (2,212 points) • 2x America East scoring champion • Extensive international career

14. Lamar Patterson | St. Benedict's Prep | Class of 2010

Achievements: Pittsburgh Panthers: 1,687 career points • All-ACC honors • NBA G-League and overseas professional career • Key member of St. Benedict's national powerhouse teams

15. Gregory Echenique | St. Benedict's Prep | Class of 2008

Achievements: Creighton University standout (7'0" center) • Member of 2008 St. Benedict's team (24-1, #2 nationally) • International career representing Venezuela • Key interior presence alongside Samardo Samuels

16. Corey Stokes | St. Benedict's Prep | Class of 2007

Achievements: Villanova Wildcats key contributor • Multiple nationally-ranked St. Benedict's teams • Professional career overseas • Part of Dan Hurley era excellence

17. Chris Smith | St. Benedict's Prep | Class of ~2009

Achievements: Louisville Cardinals • Manhattan College before transfer • Professional career internationally • J.R. Smith's younger brother

18. Xavier Munford | St. Benedict's Prep | Class of ~2012

Achievements: NBA career: Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks • University of Rhode Island standout • USA Basketball Men's World Cup Qualifying team • Extensive international career (Israel, Turkey, Spain, Australia)

19. Kenneth Ortiz | Science Park High School | Class of ~2010

Achievements: Wagner College: Only 3x NEC Defensive Player of the Year ever • 2x All-NEC Third Team • High School: 105-13 record, 2x State Champion • State Player of the Year, 17.3 PPG/9.1 RPG/5.7 APG/6.8 SPG senior year • 1,450 career high school points

20. Rameel "Fatman" Johnson | Science Park High School | Class of 2009

Achievements: Stockton University: Frequently led team in scoring AND rebounding despite 6'0" height • Career-high 18 rebounds in single game • Multiple NJAC "Athlete of the Week" honors • Ranked #5 Newark Basketball Player of All Time (excluding NBA) by local media

COLLEGE STARS & CHAMPIONS: Ranks 21-30

21. Aaron Estrada | St. Benedict's Prep | Class of 2019

Achievements: 2022 Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year • Oregon standout (transferred from Hofstra) • Key member of recent St. Benedict's teams

22. Arnaldo Toro | St. Benedict's Prep | Class of ~2015

Achievements: Professional basketball player internationally • Lithuanian Basketball League • St. Benedict's development product

23. Tariq Goodman | Newark Tech | Class of ~1992-1994

Achievements: Elite scorer averaging 30+ PPG in early 1990s • Part of 1991 Group II State Championship team • Most prolific offensive player in Newark Tech history

24. Lester Quinones | St. Benedict's Prep | Class of 2019

Achievements: Golden State Warriors (NBA) • Memphis Tigers standout • Two-way contract player • Part of St. Benedict's continued NBA pipeline

25. Patrick Cole | Newark Central | Class of 2012

Achievements: Led Newark Central to 2011 Group II State Championship • 2016-17 MEAC Player of the Year (NC Central) • MEAC Tournament MVP • Professional career in Europe • Now Director of Player Development at NC Central

26. Terence Warren | Newark Central | Class of ~1984

Achievements: UConn Huskies guard (1984-1986) • 6'6" versatile guard • 51 games played at UConn • Newark Central to Big East Conference pipeline

27. Ira Bowman | Newark Native (Seton Hall Prep) | Class of ~1991

Achievements: NBA: Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks (1999-2001) • Seton Hall Prep all-time leading scorer • Ivy League Player of the Year (1996) at Penn • Now assistant coach at Auburn University

28. Corey Chandler | East Side High School | Class of 2007

Achievements: All-State honors at East Side • Rutgers: 11.9 PPG as freshman • Highly touted recruit (compared to Randy Foye) • Part of East Side's strong 2000s era

29. Rakwan Kelly | Newark Tech | Class of 2013

Achievements: Led Newark Tech to 2013 Group II State Championship (first of three-peat) • Star-Ledger All-State First Team • 1,000+ point scorer • Key player in Newark Tech dynasty

30. Louis "Phil" Garrett | Barringer High School | Class of 1982

Achievements: Co-captain of 1980 State Championship team • Barringer's career scoring leader in early 1980s • First-Team All-State • Essex County Tournament MVP • Wagner College standout

HIGH SCHOOL LEGENDS & PROFESSIONALS: Ranks 31-40

31. Jerry McMillan | Barringer High School | Class of ~1980

Achievements: Backcourt partner with Phil Garrett • DePaul University standout • Drafted by Seattle Supersonics (1984) • Part of Barringer's 1980 championship era

32. Tate George | Newark native (Union Catholic) | Class of 1986

Achievements: Famous UConn "The Shot" buzzer-beater vs Clemson (1990) • 22nd overall pick, 1990 NBA Draft (NJ Nets) • 4-year NBA career • UConn All-Century Team

33. Keon Lawrence | Weequahic High School | Class of ~2006
Achievements: "The Human Pogo Stick" • Led NJ in scoring as senior: 31.2 PPG • First Team All-State • One of only 3 Essex County players with 2,000+ career points • University of Missouri, Seton Hall • Tragically passed away in 2019 at age 32

34. Akbar Hoffman | East Side High School | Class of 2014

Achievements: 2013-14 Essex County Player of the Year • First Team All-State • Back-to-back NJSIAA Group 3 state championships • 1,000+ career points • 41-point performance made ESPN SportsCenter Top 10

35. Ismael Sanogo | East Side High School | Class of 2014

Achievements: Key player on 2014 Group III State Championship team • Jordan Brand Classic All-Star • Seton Hall: Big East Championship All-Tournament Team • Professional: G-League, Italian League, Greek League

36. Elijah Olaniyi | East Side High School | Class of 2017

Achievements: NJ.com All-State Second Team • Stony Brook: America East Rookie of the Year, First Team All-Conference • University of Miami: Started 18 games • Professional career in France • Tragically passed away in 2025 at age 26

37. James Barrino | Malcolm X Shabazz | Class of 1986

Achievements: First Team All-Essex County (1985-86) • High-scoring guard/forward • Part of Barrino brothers duo that led Shabazz in mid-1980s

38. Jamal Pierce | Newark Tech | Class of 1986

Achievements: All-Essex County First Team (1986) • Newark Athletic Hall of Fame • Winston-Salem State University standout under Clarence "Bighouse" Gaines

39. Shawn McCray | Newark High School | Class of ~1985

Achievements: Triple Hall of Fame inductee • Caldwell University's first 1,000-point scorer • Newark Central High Head Coach: 2011 State Championship, 7 Conference Championships • Founded Zoo Crew Basketball Program (1996) • Featured in LeBron James' "Best Shot" documentary

40. Jamal Williams | Malcolm X Shabazz | Class of 1995

Achievements: Hit game-winning shot with 3.5 seconds in 1995 Group III State Championship • 60-59 victory over Rancocas Valley • Key player in Shabazz's 1990s championship era

41. Dwayne Murrill | Newark Tech | Class of 2013

Achievements: 16 points in 2013 state championship game • Key scorer alongside Rakwan Kelly • Senior leader on first three-peat team

42. Isiah Reyes | West Side High School | Class of ~2016

Achievements: All-State guard • First Team All-Essex County • Led West Side to two state championship teams • Clutch performer with game-winning shots

43. Troy Chandler | Barringer High School

Achievements: Newark Athletic Hall of Fame inductee • Barringer basketball standout • 1982 All Essex County 1st team

44. Tony Sanchez | Barringer High School | Class of ~1980

Achievements: Member of 1980 State Championship team • Newark Athletic Hall of Fame inductee • Multi-sport athlete • Part of Barringer's historic championship era

45. Ramadan Brunson | Newark native (Irvington HS) | Class of ~1993

Achievements: Born and raised in Newark • Irvington High School star • Member of 1992-93 Group IV State Championship team • Irvington HS Athletic Hall of Fame (2018)

46. Devonne Giles | Malcolm X Shabazz | Class of 2001

Achievements: First Team All-State and Group Three MVP • Texas Tech: 10.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG under Bob Knight • 10-year international professional career • Now assistant coach and mentor in Newark school system

47. Michael Jackson | Malcolm X Shabazz | Class of ~1995-97

Achievements: Contributor to mid-1990s Shabazz championship teams • Part of Lou Grimsley coaching era

48. Hassan Whiteside | East Side High School | Class of ~2007

Achievements: #32 jersey retired by East Side High (2018) • Marshall University standout • NBA: Miami Heat breakout star • Premier NBA shot-blocker and rebounder • Founded Nassan's Place autism awareness center in Newark

49. Kenneth Faried | Technology High School (Newark Tech) | Class of ~2007

Achievements: "The Manimal" • NCAA All-American at Morehead State • 22nd overall pick (2011) • NBA career with Nuggets, Nets, Rockets • Known for high-energy defense and rebounding • International career continuing Newark Tech's pipeline

50. Devon Gibson | University High School | Class of 2009

Achievements: 2009 State Group 1 Championship MVP (23 points) • Led University High to first-ever state and Essex County Tournament titles • Averaged 15 PPG as senior • Salem International University guard

WHAT THIS LIST REALLY MEANS

This isn't all about basketball.

It's about a city that refused to stay down. A city that produced excellence when excellence wasn't expected. A city where the courts stayed lit even when the streetlights went dark.

This is about Newark telling America: You tried to count us out. We counted up instead.

Every player on this list—from J.R. Smith's championship rings to the Newark Tech role players who contributed to a three-peat—represents something bigger than basketball. They represent possibility. They represent the idea that your zip code doesn't determine your ceiling. That hard work and talent can take you anywhere.

"WHAT ABOUT THE PLAYERS WE MISSED?" Oh, we missed players. Guaranteed. There's some cat who averaged 28 PPG at Barringer in 1987 who deserved to be on here and isn't because the records are incomplete. There's a Newark Central guard from 1994 who could have made it. There's a Newark Tech player from the three-peat era whose name got lost.

This list is a starting point for a conversation, not the final word. If you have a player who should be on here—tell us. Drop the name. Tell the story. Because Newark's basketball history is too rich to be captured in any one list.

THE FINAL WORD

Lists create debate. Debate creates conversation. Conversation creates recognition.

Argue with the rankings. Disagree with the order. Tell us who we missed.

Just don’t tell us Newark doesn’t have a basketball legacy worth celebrating.

We just gave you 50 reasons why you’re wrong.

BRICK CITY.

This list focuses on individual basketball players from 1980-present who attended Newark high schools. Some Newark-born players who attended schools outside Newark city limits (Ira Bowman at Seton Hall Prep, Tate George at Union Catholic, Ramadan Brunson at Irvington) are included to honor their Newark roots.