Newark East Side, led by sophomore point guard Tariq Carey, enjoyed a terrific season last year going 20-7. Tariq Carey averaged over 14 points per game to go along with 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 block per contest.
This summer, Carey is playing with a new AAU team, the New Jersey Playaz, and is looking to make his mark on the national scene.
“AAU is going great so far,” said Carey. “I have known most of the guys on the team for a long time but this is my first year playing with them. We have been playing very well in the tournaments so far. We lost in the semifinals of the Rumble in the Bronx.”
Carey has a lot of the traits colleges are looking for in a point guard. First and foremost, he is a winner.
“I think my biggest strength right now is my competitiveness and toughness. I also have a good handle and speed as well the ability to finish at the rim. I am really working hard this summer on consistency with my jumper. I am shooting the three ball well this summer but I just want to keep working on it. Last week I was in the gym every day putting up 500-1000 shots.”
Not playing on a high profile AAU team the past few years may be the reason Carey is flying a bit under the radar at this time, but it is a role he doesn’t mind.
“I have always been the hunter and not the hunted. A lot of guys get more publicity than I do but that is OK. I am never satisfied with my game and will keep working to get better. Some people have me in the Top 100 right now but that is not good enough for me. I just want to keep improving.”
Despite the lack of national attention, many Division 1 schools have already picked up their recruitment of Carey.
“I hear a lot from Wake Forest, Villanova, and Notre Dame. Actually, Wake Forest is my dream school. I am a big Tim Duncan fan and have been since the 4th or 5th grade. I love the way he handles his business. I have been a big Wake fan since then.”
Carey was able to visit his “dream school” recently when he participated in the Wake Forest Elite Camp.
“Camp was great. It was even better than I thought. I actually did a report on Wake Forest in the 8th grade and to see it in person was even better than I thought. The campus was really nice as well as the facilities. It was big time. I was able to talk to both Coach Bzdelik and Coach Battle while I was there. They said they think I have a chance to be a special player and that my skill set reminds them of Jeff Teague which is a big compliment.”
Look for big things from Tariq Carey this summer. The young man is highly skilled and also highly motivated to go against the best players out there and prove himself. Just by talking with Carey you can tell he will not be intimidated by the competition and is actually anxious to go head to head with all challengers.
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