Building Bridges in Linden: Prestige Prep’s 2026-27 Player Profiles

Founded in 2011, Prestige Preparatory Academy is a post-graduate and college preparatory basketball program in Linden, NJ, about 20 miles southwest of Manhattan. The academy bridges the gap between high school and college placement, pairing skill development with life mentorship, plus SAT/ACT prep and up to 9 college credits.

Founder and Program Director Jeffrey "Cas" Wade has coached for more than three decades. A one time Associate Head Coach at Bloomfield Tech (NJ). He has coached AAU since 1998 and founded Team NJ Select Stars, now the Prestige Patriots, which finished 7th at Nationals. Head Coach Branden Ceaser  won back-to-back state titles as a player at St. Patrick (NJ) in 2006 and 2007. A Kean graduate, he has coached with Rahway PAL and the Prestige Patriots and runs RBE Athletics.

Prestige plays in the newly formed Empire State League along with a national exposure schedule, and has placed players on NCAA, NAIA and JUCO rosters. 

The team's 2026-27 players are profiled below.

Nikola Podgorica (2027) 6'4 combo guard - Averaged 17.5 ppg at Roselle Park High (NJ) in 2025-26, with 52 rebounds, 48 assists and 32 steals in 22 games. Scored 44 against Spotswood and matched it in Fall League. A lefty with good size who creates off the bounce, plays off the catch and can run either guard spot. Has played the Puma circuit and Hoop Group and MADE Hoops events. Was named to the All Empire State Tip Off Second Team to kick off his season. 

Marcus Richards (2027) 6'1 point guard - Helped Plainfield High (NJ) reach the 2026 NJSIAA Group 4 state semifinals. A poised, high-IQ lead guard who controls tempo with a strong handle and court vision. Scores at all three levels and brings consistent ball pressure on defense.

Emmanuel Adetutu (2027) 6'0 point guard - A versatile scorer and playmaker who can run the point or play off another handler. Has scored 25 against Life Center Academy and 30 against Touro College.

Emmanuel Gay (2027) 5'11 point guard - A two-way guard from Port Richmond High (Staten Island, NY). Had 15 points in a win over Eagle Academy and a game-high four steals against James Madison. Plays both guard spots, finishes through contact, can hit from three and pressures full court. Was named to the All Empire State Tip Off Second Team to kick off his season. 

Amardeep Singh (2027) 5'11 shooting guard - A Roselle Park High (NJ) product. A floor-spacing shooter who moves well without the ball and works into catch-and-shoot looks. Plans to major in Accounting and become a CPA. 3.4 gpa

Tony Franco (2027) 5'8 point guard - A scrappy, high-energy defender who pressures the ball and does the winning things that don't show up in the box score. Plans to become a physical therapist.

The team's 2026-27 game schedule and results will be found by clicking here