Program Profiles - Middlesex Magic

Today, we unveil a new series that will take a look at AAU programs from across New England. Our Program Profiles series will cover a handful of programs over the next month or so, from each of New England's six states, with an emphasis on covering prospects from multiple age groups in each article.   We'll begin today with a look at the Middlesex Magic. Based out of Massachusetts, the program was established in 1993 and is run by program director, Michael Crotty Jr.   They are one of just 28 programs that make up the Under Armour Association and are the only representative from New England. They have helped over 600 prospects reach their goal of playing college basketball and pride themselves on the simple goals of "work hard, have fun, and get better".   Below are five prospects from the program that have stood out so far this spring.    Cook, a member of the 17U UAA squad, is a formidable post prospect out of the New Hampton School. At 6'8", he's a bit undersized as a center, but has expanded his range out to the three point line, worked hard on his frame, and subsequently improved his athleticism this spring, all of which should help him to operate as a stretch forward at the next level. He can score going to the middle off either block, has soft touch as a finisher around the rim, and sets solid screens on the perimeter. On top of that, he shows impressive feel as a passer, making good decisions with the ball from the block and high post. Defensively, he's a strong rebounder that does a nice job of walling up against size in the paint.     Griffiths, a member of the 16U UAA squad, is a high scoring wing out of Avon Old Farms School. Just named to the Under Armour Future 60, he's quickly proven himself to be one of the top wings in the UAA. At 6'6", he has good positional size which he uses to his advantage as a finisher around the rim and when getting his shot off over the defense. He's really come on as a shooter this spring, making threes both in catch and shoot situations and on the move, where he utilizes screens, a deceptive shot fake, and slide dribbles to get into his jumper. He's a plus athlete that can finish above the rim as a slasher or cutter, can defend multiple positions on the other end of the floor, and is a solid rebounder that can push the ball on the break.     O'Connell, a member of the 17U HGSL squad, is a heady combo guard out of Cushing Academy. Operating both as an on-ball creator and off-ball scorer this spring, he's shown the ability to impact a game in a variety of ways on the offensive end of the floor. He does a nice job of playing with a live dribble, probing the defense and working his way into the paint, where he can spray it out to shooters for open jumpers. As a scorer, he shows a high level feel for how to get open, does a nice job of getting into his shot quickly, and has elite footwork on the catch. Defensively, he is a strong on-ball defender, loves to compete on that end of the floor, and can generate plenty of steals and deflections on the perimeter.     Bey, a member of the 17U HGAL squad, is a powerful forward out of Springfield Central. Coming off a high school season in which he helped lead his team to an MIAA Final Four, he's impressed as a two-way forward that plays with athleticism, power, and a high level of skill. He piles up the stocks (steals + blocks) and is a terror on the defensive end of the floor as he's impressively versatile and capable of guarding any position on the floor. He moves well laterally allowing him to keep guards out of the paint and has the strength needed to make scoring difficult for bigs in the paint. On the other end, he runs the floor incredibly well, sets solid screens, and can finish athletically around the rim with either hand.     Leese, a member of the 15U UAA squad, is a versatile wing out of Newton South. A big playmaker, he has some real wiggle off the bounce and shows impressive vision as a passer when he gets downhill. At 6'4", he has the ability to see over the defense as a facilitator and with a compact and quick release on his jumper, the ability to get his shot off at any time. He's a high IQ cutter, can finish with some creativity at the rim, and continues to improve his efficiency as a perimeter shooter. On the defensive end of the floor, he can rebound in traffic and in space, while also showing the ability to guard up and down a position. Additionally, he uses his length and IQ to his advantage when making plays in passing lanes.

Today, we unveil a new series that will take a look at AAU programs from across New England. Our Program Profiles series will cover a handful of programs over the next month or so, from each of New England's six states, with an emphasis on covering prospects from multiple age groups in each article.