National Prep Championship Standouts (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 16th annual National Prep Championship took place again this year, this time at Clark University in Worcester, MA, and brought together 16 of the top post graduate programs in the country to name an outright national champion. Hundreds of college coaches attended the event which has always been one of the best tournaments to recruit at, and this year was no different.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Putnam Science Academy (CT) came away as the national champs in thrilling fashion, winning their third straight championship and 4 of the last 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at part one of the standouts from the many New England programs in attendance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you're looking to replay any of the games, they are available for playback on the <a href="http://cbglivenetwork.com">CBG Live Network</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1125334' first='Mouhamed' last='Dioubate'] | 6'7” F | Putnam Science '23</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1844796,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Dioubate-Muhammed.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Dioubate-Muhammed.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1844796" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The three-time defending national champs get their own standout list after their play, and the only way to start it is with the guy who was picked for MVP in Dioubate. The Alabama commit willed his team to a win as Sunrise Christian made a big time comeback, but it was Dioubate who came through on both ends of the floor for them. His versatility as a shotmaker from all over the floor made him so hard to guard, he attacked the backboard and got extra opportunities for his team and he showed a great motor and willingness as the senior star to make the winning plays by fighting for 50-50 balls and leaving it all on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tarique Foster | 6'8” F | Putnam Science '23</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1508412,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/Foster-Tarique.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/Foster-Tarique.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1508412" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The VCU commit had to adapt to a new role for PSA this year, and it all came together in their run to the title game as he had some very big moments for them in their last three games. He made shots from deep in big situations and stretched the floor, his size and ability to move defensively was perfect in their pressure defense and he attacked the glass and made hustle plays as well. His willingness to buy in to his role this year will bold well for him at VCU next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Baye Ndongo | 6'8” PF | Putnam Science '23</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1844800,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Ndongo-Baye.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Ndongo-Baye.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1844800" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rutgers commit came to PSA midway through the season, and he was one of the biggest difference makers for them in the tournament as he came off the bench and impacted the game in so many different ways. At 6'8” he does things you'd expect him to do as far as being an explosive rim protector and finisher, but he also does some things you don't expect as far as putting the ball on the floor and knocking down tough shots from multiple levels. He played with good energy, was productive across the board and was a walking mismatch for them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1203904' first='Miles' last='Rose'] | 6'5” WG | Putnam Science '23</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1844810,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Rose-Miles.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Rose-Miles.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1844810" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The St. Bonnie's commit is a PSA veteran who knows the program and waited his turn, and he had some very important moments for them in their championship run. The 6'5” wing picked his spots and when they needed a bucket he came up big for them getting to the rim and finishing in traffic, and he showed good leadership and competed on the defensive end. He was a calming presence for them who was consistent and efficient and made big plays when they needed him to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1199656' first='Duane' last='Thompson'] | 6'8” F | Putnam Science '24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1844820,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Thompson-Duane.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Thompson-Duane.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1844820" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thompson will be just like Rose and Dioubate next year as he's been with PSA for the past few years and as a senior I expect him to be a leader and go-to guy after showing flashes of brilliance in his early years. The 6'8” forward is exactly what you expect from a PSA player as he's strong and physical and plays with a good motor, he's skilled and makes shots from deep or can put it on the deck and he makes the winning plays and brings great energy. He consistently produced and was a mismatch within their system throughout the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Erhunmwunse Oswin | 6'9” C | Putnam Science '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1844825,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Oswin-Erhunmwunse.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Oswin-Erhunmwunse.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1844825" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oswin was another player who joined PSA midway through the season, and man is the 6'9” sophomore a super impressive prospect! He was a huge impact guy off the bench for them as his exceptional athleticism made energy plays as far as finishing above the rim and protecting the rim defensively, and his sheer presence in the game made the other team uncomfortable and changed the game. He's an unbelievable athlete for his size and plays extremely hard on both ends of the floor, and the sky is the limit for him moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->