NEPSAC Showcase at Avon: Day 2 Backcourt Standouts

We're back for the second day of the NEPSAC Showcase at Avon Old Farms with a new batch of teams and players playing. Most of these players finished their weekend earlier today, and we'll have recaps from the Sat night/Sun afternoon games coming in the next couple days. Let's start with the backcourt standouts from day 2 (Saturday).    Nieves is a strong-bodied athlete with good quickness and athleticism as well as every offensive skill in the book. He uses a great jab-step game and shifty, change-of-pace hesitation moves to get the defense off balance and get to his spots. At the rim, he can finish athletically with both hands and find his teammates for open threes if the defense collapses.     Only a junior, Maxwell-Grimes has a great feel for the game and knows how to use his body to get to the rim. He combines that with an excellent handle and a nice jumper from all three levels, making him tough to defend coming downhill as a threat from everywhere on the court. Maxwell-Grimes also slides his feet well defensively and fights hard to get over screens. Should be a scholarship prospect.     The definition of a true point guard. Bianco is constantly pushing the ball down the court – even while being pressured – and he's great at finding teammates once he gets across the timeline. He has the ball on a string and blows by defenders with quickness and speed. He also clamps up on the defensive end. Would imagine he'll be a great D3 player with scholarship potential.     Ajakaiye is one of the best on-ball defenders I saw today. He's an absolute dog who's constantly locked in on that end and will not let the offensive player breathe, even when they have staggered screens being set for them. Offensively, he's a strong driver who makes the simple pass for his teammates. Definite D3 prospect with the potential for a scholarship spot.     Wright is a do-it-all guard with great athleticism for his size. He's ridiculously quick and has the ball on an absolute string. He's also an excellent passer who's able to read the weak side and is very patient in the pick and roll. Once his shot improves – which it likely will given his release and fundamentals – he'll skyrocket up coaches' radars. Finally, Wright fights over screens better than almost any guard I've seen today.     Chess is only a junior but he doesn't play like one. He's incredibly strong and athletic and has the build of a college player already. He's also got a nice looking shot and range out to the three-point line. His finishing at the rim is probably the most impressive part of his offensive skillset, but he's fairly polished on that end overall. Defensively, he's good in the passing lanes and slides his feet well. He'll be hearing from D1 programs.     O'Reilly is a strong-bodied post-grad from New Jersey who scored over 1,000 points in high school. He's quick off the bounce and is an above-the-rim finisher once he gets into the paint. He's best in transition when he can get a full head of steam and put defenders on their heels, but he can also hit the open three. Would imagine O'Reilly will be a great D3 player with scholarship potential.

We're back for the second day of the NEPSAC Showcase at Avon Old Farms with a new batch of teams and players playing. Most of these players finished their weekend earlier today, and we'll have recaps from the Sat night/Sun afternoon games coming in the next couple days. Let's start with the backcourt standouts from day 2 (Saturday).