ZG Gets Invaded from the North and the South

Throughout the course of the spring AAU season the Zero Gravity tournaments gather some of the best grassroots talent in Massachusetts. They are competing every weekend to either take home the Sneaker Series or Chasing the Chain. What most don’t realize is that some of the best talent showing up is coming from out of state. I personally witnessed the invasion of talent not only from Rhode Island but also New Hampshire. Clubs like Team Unknown out of Rhode Island and New England Storm from New Hampshire bringing players like [player_tooltip player_id="1489267" first="Zishonn" last="Allen"], Oscar Soto, [player_tooltip player_id="1477789" first="Sam" last="Andreottola"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1477892" first="Matt" last="Lamy"] to strike fear into the players from Massachusetts is becoming a regular occurrence. [player_tooltip player_id="1489267" first="Zishonn" last="Allen"] - PG - LASALLE HIGH - LASALLE, RI - CLASS OF 2025 This small forward is built more like a tight end. I was shocked to find out he was just finishing up his Freshman year of high school. His strong athletic frame lends itself to tough on the ball defense, strong finishing around the hoop and strong rebounding game at both ends of the floor. He isn’t all brawn, quick feet and hands lend to a surprising first step and the ability to go by players that appear quicker than him. He has good form on the jump shot, as he becomes more consistent at knocking it down it will open up new aspects to his game that will be hard to overlook at the next level.   OSCAR SOTO - PG/SG - CUMBERLAND HIGH - CUMBERLAND,RI - CLASS OF 2025 The definition of a knockdown shooter. His uncanny range strikes fear into every defender that has to try and stop the 6’0” combo guard. That’s just where his game starts. I watched as every key possession went through his Oscar’s hands. Not only is he confident with the ball but its where his teammates want it to be also with the game on the line. His ability to handle the rock is pretty much unmatched. He darts up and down the court through a press as if the defenders aren’t even there. With the game on the line he is not the guy to send to the stripe. Free throw after free throw cascade through the net slowly and surely icing the game and putting another check in the win column for his team. [caption id="attachment_1506575" align="alignright" width="247"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/3EC9B671-B0D7-4F64-8142-F5D3B64A59CA.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1506575" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/3EC9B671-B0D7-4F64-8142-F5D3B64A59CA-247x300.jpeg" alt="" width="247" height="300" /></a> Photo: Twitter[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="1477892" first="Matt" last="Lamy"] - SG/SF - ST. PAUL’S SCHOOL - CONCORD, NH - CLASS OF 2023 This lanky 6’4”swingman is the complete package at both ends of the floor. A good reason as to why he was Varsity All Tournament 1st Team at Zero Gravity Nationals last month. His <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/107D62A0-A0F5-493F-80E4-1BC2B298BC65-e1657377042243.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1506576 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/107D62A0-A0F5-493F-80E4-1BC2B298BC65-e1657377042243-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>long frame, quick feet and great anticipation make him not only a tough on the ball defender but a key piece to any team defensive concept. Whether in the press, man to man or zone he finds the right spot on the floor and creates turnovers with an impressive nose for the ball. On the offensive end you will not be disappointed. Matt possesses a lightening quick first step that tends to have defenders asking “where did he go?” Once past his defender he finishes strong around the rim. This will make you want to give him some room to keep from giving up lay up after lay up but this wouldn’t be wise. Give this player an inch and he will rise up with solid three point range and stick it right in your face. This is a definite find for any program that is able to get their uniform on him.   [player_tooltip player_id="1477789" first="Sam" last="Andreottola"] - SF - ST. PAUL’S SCHOOL - CONCORD, NH - CLASS OF 2023 When looking at Sam he looks like the prototypical high school big man. He has good height at around 6’6” and a wide frame that pulls in double digit rebounds every game. Solid footwork in the <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/E823CA1F-B38A-47EA-8E0D-3FEFDA32044E-crop-1024x673-1657377218-e1657377240772.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1506578 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/E823CA1F-B38A-47EA-8E0D-3FEFDA32044E-crop-1024x673-1657377218-e1657377240772-197x300.jpeg" alt="" width="197" height="300" /></a>post opens up an array of offensive moves that create easy buckets for him close to the hoop. His strength also plays a factor giving him the ability to effectively and efficiently defend the post and limit opportunities for the other team. If this is where the player stopped he would be a solid college prospect but this is actually just the beginning of Sam’s game. Impressive three point range and a quick release give him the ability to stretch the floor and create match up nightmares for his opponent. You then couple this with an excellent basketball IQ. He is always in the right spot and has the court vision and passing ability of a seasoned veteran point guard. This true modern day big man makes a splash every where he plays. If you get the chance he is a must watch when on the floor.