NEPSAC Showcase: 5 players ready for more responsibility

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Friday and Saturday, I attended the NEPSAC Showcase at Babson College in Wellesley, MA. There were four courts going on at once and games going from 8:00am to 9:00pm. Though I tried to watch as many games and teams as possible, I didn't get to see everyone — so my coverage this weekend will be reflective of the games I saw.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/06/nepsac-showcase-5-individual-performances-that-stood-out/">5 individual performances that stood out</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/06/nepsac-showcase-6-young-breakout-candidates/">6 young breakout candidates</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/06/nepsac-showcase-5-transfers-helping-big-name-schools-retool/">5 transfers that will help out powerhouses Brewster and New Hampton.</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/06/nepsac-showcase-5-old-faces-in-new-places-ready-to-shine/">5 old faces in new places ready to shine</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/06/nepsac-showcase-5-old-faces-in-new-places-ready-to-shine-pt-2/">5 old faces in new places ready to shine (part 2).</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are 5 players who will take on a lot more responsibility this season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2341362"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685c2282118f4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Harrington doesn't play AAU ball but has clearly been working on his game and body this offseason. He looks a lot stronger and more comfortable with the ball in his hands, which he'll have to be without 3 D1 players returning. He mostly just played off ball last year (very effectively), but he'll get a chance to run some pick and roll this season and have the ball on more second-side attacks (he did against Newman this weekend and looked very comfortable). I'm really impressed with his mid range game and general feel to get to spots on the floor. He's an under the radar name that more scholarship coaches need to be thinking about.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2696644"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685c22821199c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McFadden didn't have too significant of a role on Worcester Academy last season but will probably play a lot more this year. The 6-foot-2 guard is super fast, quick, and strong, which allows him to defend point guards and also smaller wings --- he competes at a high level consistently and will spend a lot of games covering the opponent's best player. Against Vermont Academy, McFadden hit two massive threes in the final few possessions to give his squad the win. Look for a big uptick in his minutes and counting stats this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2553499"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685c228211a21"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tambedou came on late as an impact player for PSA last season, but he'll be in a far larger role with the team this coming year. The 6-foot-7 forward is an unbelievably explosive athlete who runs the floor like a deer and gets above the rim with utter ease. He still needs to slow down at times once he gets into the paint, but with PSA's guard play and the pace at which they play, he should get so many easy buckets for them. He's also a surprisingly effective short roll passer who can find his teammates for threes pretty easily. Big future ahead, especially if he pairs the physical tools with the IQ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2553785"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685c228211aa3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith was an impact player for Tabor Academy last season but will have a lot more on-ball responsibility without former star player Daithi Quinn in the fold. He showed this weekend that he can handle it, making good decisions out of the pick and roll and hitting shots from all three levels. Most impressive, though, was his defense. He's an amazing on-ball defender but also has great instincts in the passing lanes and on the help side. Takes charges, too. Coach's dream in terms of what you look for in a defensive guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1958489"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685c228211b21"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Walters was buried behind a host of D1 prospects last season, but he's in a really good position to be an impact starter for Brewster Academy this year. The 6-foot-7 wing is long and wiry with a smoothness to his game that's rare to find. He can shoot it on the perimeter but also gets well above the rim for dunks. Defensively, he has good instincts in the passing lanes and uses his insane wingspan to get steals and leak out for layups. He'll have a lot more responsibility this season for powerhouse Brewster Academy, and he looks like he could still be filling out physically. Such a bright future for Walters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->