NEPSAC Showcase - Sunday Standouts I

NEPSAC Showcase coverages continues with a look at some standouts from Sunday's action.   The final day of the three-day showcase provided prospects with one last opportunity to show out in front of the numerous college coaches that found their way into the gym on Sunday.   The made the most of their opportunities in their final game sets; making plays on both ends of the floor and rising to the occasion when the moment called for it.   Here are the first five standouts from Sunday's action at Babson.    A 6'7" hybrid forward for Putnam Science Academy, Tambedou is a physical speciment with elite athleticism. When his motor's turned up, he's one of the best forwards in the country, using his physical gifts to fly around the court, dominate on the glass, and finish with authority in transition. Defensively, he can defend in the post and on the perimeter, tracks the ball well off the glass, and is capable of protecting the rim coming from the weak side. On the other end, he gets out and runs in transition, makes instinctive cuts to the rim off the ball, and has the ability to finish plays as an isolation scorer in the mid-range. On top of that, he was one of the top offensive rebounders at the event. He's a Top 150 prospect nationally and a future high major talent.     A 6'7" hybrid forward for Wlibraham & Monson, Okpara is a fluid mover with good positional size and a plus plus wingspan. He has elite length, the ability guard up and down a lineup, and a motor that allows him to take over games defensively. He's strong enough to defend bigs in the post, agile enough to guard wings in space, and uses his length effectively when switched onto guards. He rebounds above the rim, blocks shots from the help side, and makes instinctive plays in passing lanes. Offensively, he can operate as an initiator from the top of the key, has the ability to finish plays as a slasher from the wings, and is starting to show the ability to knock down catch and shoot threes. His motor pops offensively in transition and on the offensive glass. One of the better two-way wings in attendance this weekend, he'll play at the Division I level someday.     A 6'5" scoring guard for the Winchendon School, Penix made the most of his first appearance in New England, showing off an impressive scoring ability and some defensive versatility. He can operate as a big secondary ball-handler, but shines in more of a scoring role. He knocks down shots from behind the arc, both off the bounce and in catch and shoot situations, has the ability to get to his spots in the mid-range off the bounce, and can elevate over defenders to score out of his pull-up game. He has some wiggle off the bounce, uses screens to his advantage as an off-ball mover, and can score in a variety of ways around the rim. Defensively, he can guard any spot on the perimeter and shows a high IQ as an off-ball defender. He's a scholarship prospect, the only question that will take time to answer is at what level of D1 basketball he will eventually play.     A 6'4" off guard for the Kent School, Carter proved to be a tough shot maker, crafty playmaker, and high level on-ball defender this weekend. He's a bigger guard with great length and plus athleticism, proving to be really tough to guard when he gets downhill with the ball in his hands. He has some wiggle as a creator, finds teammates in scoring spots when he gets a piece of the paint off the bounce, and makes good decisions with the ball in his hands. He cuts hard to the rim, finishes with authority in space, and knocks down contested jumpers in the mid-range. Defensively, he covers ground quickly, can guard up and down a position, and makes ton of plays in passing lanes with his length. He's a joy to watch play, makes an impact on winning, and could eventually play at the scholarship level.     A 6'3" combo guard for CATS Academy, Adamson walked away Sunday as one of the event's biggest stock risers. Already a well known recruit amongst college coaches, he took his game to another level offensively while continuing to show the athleticism, grit, and toughness that has been his trademark. He's still elite in transition and scores in a variety of ways around the rim, but, it was his ability to consistently knock down shots from behind the arc while also operating as an on-ball creator that really stood out at this event. As he rounds out his offensive game, his defensive game continues to shine as he has the ability to lock up opposing ball handlers in the full court and the half-court, leading to plenty of turnovers and opportunities for him to get out and score in transition. He always had the look of a scholarship level guard, but has now cemented himself as a high major recruit.

NEPSAC Showcase coverages continues with a look at some standouts from Sunday's action.