Summer Standouts: High Risers

Our Summer Standout series continues today with a look at some of New England's top high risers.   These prospects are some of the region's top athletes and spent the summer finishing plays way above the rim.    Maiwen exploded onto the scene in Maine last winter winter while playing for Edward Little and followed that up with strong play this summer, particularly at NERR's Elite 75 event. A long and lean combo forward, Maiwen is a high riser on both ends of the floor. Right now, he impacts the game directly with his athleticism, showing off long strides, quick twitch reactions, and solid defensive instincts. He's a terrific open floor athlete and does a great job of sprinting the floor in transition. He can put the ball on the deck for one or two bounces and finish through contact at the rim. He's a solid defender that uses his length to generate steals in passing lanes and covers ground quickly from the weakside as a shot blocker. He played his way onto the radar of numerous D3's and should continue to gain interest throughout the winter.     Toure has seen his stock sore over the last 12 months and followed up an all-state season at Notre Dame-West Haven with a terrific summer on the travel and international circuits. Toure, one of New England's top overall prospects, has a terrific offensive game. While he has a high level of skill, he still shines as an athlete. He has nice burst, can get to his spots off the bounce, and is explosive through contact at the rim. He's terrific in the open floor and is a lob threat off the ball in the half-court. He has a college ready frame and has continue to get more explosive as he's added strength. Defensively, he can guard at the point of attack or help protect the rim from the weakside. He's a high major prospect with an impressive offer list that should have coaches flocking to Connecticut this fall.     Pow has been a well-regarded prospect in Maine for a while now, however, he began to turn heads throughout New England this spring and summer. A multi-sport athlete, Pow showed an improved skillset this summer but continued to turn heads with his athleticism. He's a high riser both in the open court and in the half court, with a quick first step and the ability to elevate quickly in traffic. His jump shot has come along in recent months, but he still thrives as a slasher and has begun to finish through contact at the rim. He's dynamic in the open floor and can finish with power at the rim. Defensively, he's tough on the ball and does a good job of rebounding above the rim in traffic. He's a high academic prospect that did a lot to improve his stock this summer and should be on the radar of NESCAC and NEWMAC programs this winter.     Perry, who had a solid junior season at MacDuffie, is one of New England's most impressive vertical athletes at the forward position. A pogo-stick around the rim, there are few, if any, athletes in the region that are as impressive as Perry. He has a great frame; he's lean with long arms and looks as if he'll be able to add muscle at the next level. He does a great job as a shot blocker of not leaving his feet early and high pointing the ball. His length, and athleticism, allows him to be particularly disruptive around the rim defensively. Offensively, he's a highlight reel waiting to him and is as aggressive of an offensive rebounder as we've seen. He, again, has good timing and instincts and can finish way above the rim on putback attempts. He runs the floor well, has solid hands, and can score with ease in the paint. He's solidified himself as a mid-major prospect and should have plenty of east coast schools in the gym this fall.     Odutayo made a significant contribution to the success of Williston Northampton last winter and has only continued to get better since. Another forward with great positional size, Odutayo rivals Perry in the athleticism department. He hunts any opportunity he can get to punish rims and excels as a cutter in the half-court. In transition, he does a good job of playing out of the trailer spot and exploding into driving opportunities from the perimeter. He has long arms, a strong frame, and serious bounce. He's another solid shot blocker that does a good job of contesting shots without fouling, while showing terrific lateral mobility. There might not be a better in game dunker in New England, but that shouldn't take away from the work he's put in to develop his skill over the last 12 months. Low and mid-majors up and down the east coast should have him on their radar, if they don't already.

Our Summer Standout series continues today with a look at some of New England's top high risers.