NEPSAC Showcase: 6 young breakout candidates

<!-- 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: <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>Below are 6 young breakout candidates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2893338' first='Chance' last='Finlayson']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"St. George's","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Expressions","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6858c3cdeae44"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Finlayson is a rising freshman and looked more than comfortable in a high level game against a MacDuffie squad with a number of upperclassmen scholarship and college guys. He does a really phenomenal job finishing in transition because of his combination of strength, jumping ability, and body control — for a kid his age, these are just special physical tools that he should only continue to develop. He also has a great jab step game and some good rhythm to his handle. Defensively, he slid his feet well while switching against guards on the perimeter, and he provided some rim protection at the hoop. He's a ridiculously promising prospect who should already be on the radar of D1 coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2883060"],"_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-6858c3cdeaea1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McCrae is a jitterbug lefty point guard who has the basketball on a string. He's lightning quick down the floor and can handle it in small spaces because of his lack of size and proximity to the ground. But he's also a heady point guard who can make plays for himself and others once he punctures the paint, which he does often. Defensively, he uses his quickness and hands to pester opposing point guards. The incoming sophomore is on a tough Milton squad, but he should find a niche on their team and find lots of opportunities to make an impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2486597"],"_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-6858c3cdeaeeb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Balducci was carrying the offensive load for Loomis Chaffee against a really tough Hotchkiss team. The 6-foot guard is obviously undersized, but he's incredibly shifty with the ball and has a great first step off the dribble. Most impressive, though, is his ability to hit tough off-the-dribble shots with a hand in his face and his footwork slightly off. He has a beautiful stroke and can really light it up from long range. He kept LC in the game for quite some time before Hotchkiss was just too much.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2194726"],"_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-6858c3cdeaf31"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Buckley looks more than comfortable at a high prep school level despite only being a rising sophomore. When he has a head of steam in transition, he's an excellent finisher and has some nice hops at the rim. He's so skilled and fundamentally sound with the ball in his hands and always makes the correct play whether it be spraying out or getting to his middy. He can also make the three ball. He should be one of the leading scorers on this Thayer squad and by the looks of his body, he's still growing and getting stronger. Amazing college prospect to keep an eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2569698"],"_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-6858c3cdeaf76"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Farmer is super controlled in the pick and roll and understands how to play at his own pace and use his body. He uses his strength to get mid range jumpers off and can also hit floaters in the lane. He looked very comfortable against larger guards on Lawrence Academy. Defensively, he gets into ball handlers and makes them turn multiple times before getting over half court. Should be a nice bench piece for St. Paul's this season and if he grows, could really raise his stock moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2571927"],"_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-6858c3cdeafba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thorpe is an ultra-intriguing long term prospect who should improve a lot this season with some good reps and playing time for a talented NMH team. Even though his skillset is still coming along, he has a great understanding of short roll passing and actually has some really solid body control. He also understands screening angles and timing and can be a good rim running center right now with his leaping ability and speed. Definitely watch for him to develop this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->