LJ Rush is The News & Observer boys HS basketball underclassman of the year in 2021-22
.png)
For the first time, The News & Observer allowed readers to name the high school boys’ basketball underclassman of the year for the region.
In a week long vote that concluded Monday at noon, LJ Rush of East Wake High in Wendell was named this year’s winner.
Rush was second among freshman in North Carolina this season with 4.4 assists per game from the point guard position, playing in 25 games. Rush filled out his freshman stat sheet averaging 11.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game to go with his gaudy assist numbers.
Rush’s East Wake team finished the year 19-6 and qualified for the NCHSAA 3A playoffs, where it won its first-round game before bowing out in a second-round loss to No. 3-seed First Flight.
To be a nominee, a player must be a freshman, sophomore or junior in The News & Observer’s coverage area and rank among the top 15 in North Carolina in their class on MaxPreps in a major statistical category — points, assists, rebounds and steals. Stats used are through games played Monday, Feb. 28.
Note: This is not the All-N&O or our all-state Super Team and will have no bearing on those selections, which will be named later this year.
Other candidates included:
Torey Alston, Liberty Christian (Durham): The junior was a catalyst for his team, scoring 24.4 points per game through 18 games this season. Alston was also No. 5 in N.C. in rebounds per game with 13.6.
Xavier Whitaker, New Life Christian Academy (Rocky Mount): A prolific point guard, Whitaker averaged an incredible 35.9 points per game this season, second in N.C. Whitaker added 8.6 rebounds per game and 3.3 steals.
Clash Peters, Jordan (Durham): This power forward/center was dominant inside for his team, snagging 11.8 boards per game on a run deep into the playoffs.
Jake Hart, Fuquay-Varina: A solid season for this mobile guard, Hart averaged 5.8 assists per game, good for eighth in the state this season among juniors.
Alex Rechetinikov, Neuse Chistian Academy (Raleigh): This sophomore played in just 16 games this season, but made the most of it, averaging 23.4 points per game to finish with 374 points total. Seventy-two of his made baskets were 3-pointers.
Nathan Purvis, Thales Academy Apex: This hybrid guard/forward was among the leaders in North Carolina in the sophomore class, averaging 23.3 points per game.
David Mirikwe, Chapel Hill: In 21 games this season, this sophomore dished out 4.2 assists per game.
Brady Williams, Hilltop Christian (Fuquay-Varina): In his first season, this freshman stepped up large, pouring in 18.4 points per game, including 41 3-pointers at a 32% clip. Williams also dished out 3.5 assists per game.
Colt Langdon, Millbrook (Raleigh): Among the top prospects in this freshman class, Langdon averaged 14.6 points per game and has helped the team back into the regional semifinal round. Langdon also averaged 5.8 rebounds per game.
This story was originally published March 1, 2022 at 9:00 AM.
