Six Northeastern Massachusetts Prospects to Watch

Who from NE Mass do we have our eye on this spring? <ol> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="1081767" first="Ademide" last="Badmus"] | 6’7” | Big with wing potential | Lynn English | 2021</li> </ol> Technically speaking Lynn English moved out of the Northeast Conference as of the 2021 season, however, last year they were an impressive 13-0 last season in inter-league play in the Northeast Conference (large). [player_tooltip player_id="1081767" first="Ademide" last="Badmus"] was a core contributor as Lynn English was named the best high school basketball team in the state for this year by MaxPreps, a list that includes other high-level programs such as Sierra Canyon and Montverde Academy. Having a chance to re-watch an intense interstate matchup between last year’s #1 ranked Connecticut East Catholic vs. #1 Lynn English, Artemide Badmus showed both physicality and touch on the low block. Simply put Badmus plays with passion. A high motor big who can rim run and muscle his opponent out of position and elevate with ease, he also shows a good inside out game, as he’s showcased a fluid midrange stroke with sound mechanics. On almost every play involving Badmus as a rebounder, he continually has position and is always utilizing his hips to gain an advantage on the boards. Seeking out contact, the senior makes high-level seals and smart reads out of the post when doubled. On defense, he tracks the ball with intent, is a dominant force at rim and uses verticality to his advantage. Relegated to the post for most of his high school games, Badmus has the versatility, speed, and instincts to possibility contribute as a power-wing at the next level. 2. Gabe Copeland | 6’1” | Combo-guard | Beverly | 2023 With a fluid stroke from beyond the arc, the sophomore combo guard currently leads the Panthers with 18.5 points per game, scoring in a number of different ways. His high level understanding of spacing helps him operate as an off-ball threat, but Copeland is much more than just a pure shooter. He makes extremely high-level reads with the ball in his hands when creating for others, especially off the drive. While a combo-guard at the next level, Copeland plays a physical style of basketball, and is willing to utilize his strength to clear out taller opponents for easier looks at the rim. His versatility makes him somewhat of a positionless player within Beverly’s system. Copeland excels going downhill in transition. In a game last week against Gloucester, he showed his ability to grab and go as he snatched a rebound over a taller opponent, ran the floor, stopped on a dime, and made a high level shot-fake pass to an open layup. This play was a perfect encapsulation of what he brings to the table. On defense, Copeland has a strong base, makes smart off-ball decisions and can be a viable option as a point of attack defender. 3. Andrew Augustin | 6’1” | Combo-guard | Swampscott | 2021 A physical, high motor player, who makes excellent off-ball cuts, Andrew Augustin brings versatility and energy to both sides of the ball. While a likely guard at the next level, Augustin also plays a positionless style of basketball, as he’s currently averaging 13 points and 10 rebounds per game. A quick decision-maker, Augustin can operate both on and off the ball, as he knocked down several spot-up corner triples in a recent game against Salem. A willing passer, Augustin understands spacing and is aware of his surroundings when making decisions off the pass. He makes sound reads in both the open and half-court setting, showing patience when necessary. On the other side of the floor, he showed tremendous effort as a help defender. One play in particular against Salem, Augustin covered a considerable distance in a short period of time to swat away what would have been an easy layup. He goes up for rebounds with intent and makes impressive plays as the point of attack defender. In a recent win against Peabody, Augustin finished with a game-high 21 points, helping Swampscott achieve a 4-0 record. 4. Jared Berry | 6’0” | Lead-guard (scorer) | Danvers | 2022 As a volume scorer, Jared Berry commands attention on the offensive side of the floor. In a recent game against Saugus, he was box-and-one’nd throughout the game but managed to drop 30-points in an overtime victory. At times double-teamed, Berry got to the rim with ease, capping off the night with an isolation-and-1 finish at the rim to seal the game. Always in attack mode, Berry has eclipsed 25 points three times thus far. A tough shot maker, he can create off the dribble for himself and make high-level decisions with the pass. On defense, Berry is excellent at tracking the ball and altering shots. He is an underrated shot blocker, especially in the chase-down setting. 5. Myles Manalaysay | 6’0” | Lead-guard (initiator) | Saugus | 2021 A fluid ball mover, Manalaysay is constantly trying to push the pace to get easy looks at the basket. He doesn’t shy away from contact with a measured first step, as he gets to the free-throw line often. As the lead ball-handler in half-court settings, Manalaysay shows patience when setting up the offense but is aggressive when getting to the basket. A capable finisher on both sides of the basket, he can also create his shot off the dribble when needed and has a fluid stroke. Manalaysay thrives off the live dribble, always in motion and ready to attack the basket. On defense, he is engaged on the ball and his opponents anticipates passes. In a recent victory of Winthrop, Manalaysay finished with 24 points, scoring in several different ways but also making those key passes that led to open buckets. 6. Gavyn Hillier | 6’6” | Stretch-big with wing potential | Gloucester | 2021 A senior transfer who played for Rockport last year, Hillier’s inside out game has helped the Fishermen generate enough spacing. Aggressive when hunting his shot, Hillier has a high release point and thrives as a pick and pop big. But again, Hillier is more than just a big. Against Winthrop, Hillier hit two identical catch and shoot triples from above the break within a matter of minutes. He has also shown the ability to face-up and post-up inside the arc. Notably, he makes fundamentally sound decisions off a drop step. He gets the ball high and keeps it high as his unblockable jump shot suggests that Hillier can play more than just the big man spot at the next level. Hillier moves fluidly with or without the ball in his hands, as he isn't afraid to seek out contact at the basket. Against Saugus, Hillier had an impressive 21 point, 12 rebound outing as the Fishermen secured a win in the process.