NEPSAC Showcase - Weekend Superlatives

Today, we'll wrap up our NEPSAC Showcase coverage with a look some Weekend Superlatives from the event.   Each of the following 13 prospects found a way to impact their games in a way that stood out - offensively, defensively, scoring, creating, leading - and subsequently, led to them ending up on our Weekend Superlatives list.   Without further ado, our final list of standouts from this weekend's NEPSAC Showcase at Babson College.   MOST OUTSTANDING   [player_tooltip player_id='2470964' first='Antonio' last='Pemberton'] - A guard out of Brewster Academy, Pemberton won the weekend by making big play after big play and impressing all of the college coaches and scouts in attendance. He scored it at all three levels, showed off some impressive athletic pop around the rim, and played with on-ball/off-ball versatility offensively. His commitment to making the right play was noticable, as was his willingness to take the game into his own hands when his team needed a bucket. Always a highly regarded prospect, his performance this weekend should cement his status as a Top 50 recruit nationally in his class.   NBA POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='2396996' first='Cherif' last='Millogo'] - A big out of CATS Academy, Millogo was the breakout star of the weekend and, of all the prospects in attendance, has arguably the highest long-term ceiling. There aren't many 7'3" prospects in gyms across the country (or the globe), there are even fewer that can move with the athletic fluidity that Millogo possesses. He has NBA measurables, makes loud plays on both ends of the floor, and should only continue to get better as he adds strength. His versatility - he knocks down threes in catch and shoot situations and can make plays off the bounce from the perimeter - will soon draw comparisions to other similarly built prospects that have heard their names called in recent NBA Drafts.   PRODUCTIVITY   [player_tooltip player_id='2341363' first='Alex' last='Egbuonu'] - A wing out of Lawrence Academy, Egbuonu is Mr. Consistency in that every time he steps on the court, you can expect the same level of productivity. Athletic, physical, skilled - three words that are often used to describe Egbuonu. Another one that should be thrown around is productive. He continues to show up game after game and, while everyone on the floor knows he's the guy, still manages to score, rebound, and defend at a high level. He's a three level scorer that lets the game come to him, which is probably why he's one of the few prospects you'll find that's capable of consistently going for quiet 30 point games. The future high-major wing capped off a terrific spring with his showing this weekend, continuing to garner attention from some of the top college programs in the country.   VERSATILITY   [player_tooltip player_id='1682357' first='Markus' last='Kerr'] - A guard out of Brewster Academy, Kerr made a splash in his first appearance in New England, showing off his trademark two-way versatility. The 6'6" guard has the ability to play four positions offensively, while also showing that he can defend guards, wings, and forwards on the other end of the floor. He's a plus athlete that has good length and already sports a college ready frame. Offensively, he scored at all three levels this weekend while also showing the ability to operate as a secondary ball-handler or creator in the half-court. He's hard to guard in transition and does a nice job of using his athleticism and strength as a finisher around the rim. Defensively, he can guard at the point of attack in space, makes it difficult for wings to get open off the ball, and isn't afraid to mix it up in the paint as a rebounder. He's a Top 100 recruit nationally and will be a name high majors track closely over the next two years.   SCORING PACKAGE   [player_tooltip player_id='2407057' first='Declan' last='Griffiths'] - A wing out of Avon Old Farms, Griffiths proved to be one of the best shot makers in the gym, getting it done at all three levels as a scorer. The 6'7" wing has good length and is a plus athlete, both of which he uses to his advantage offensively. He can take guards into the post, showing the ability to finish creatively around the rim. He scores in the half-court and in transition, getting buckets as an off-ball mover or on-ball creator. He knocks down shots from behind the arc with deep range, getting them off in catch and shoot situations or as a space creator with the bounce. On top of that, he's developed his mid-range game, and does a nice job of getting to his spots off the bounce and then elevating over defenders to score. He's put in the work to continue getting stronger, has increased his athleticism, and looks more fluid as a mover with the ball in his hands. Add it all together and you've got the profile of a future high major prospect that continues to impress on the biggest stages.   ATHLETICISM   [player_tooltip player_id='2396741' first='Parrish' last='Edmond'] - A wing out of Putnam Science Academy, Edmond is a phenomenal athlete that uses his physical tools to make loud plays on both ends of the floor. He's a long and lean 6'6" wing that plays the game in a way similar to that of New York Knick, Josh Hart - in that he does a little bit of everything on the floor while playing with incredible versatility. What seperates him though is that he's in the 1% of elite athletes at the prep level. He covers ground so quickly that he is as disruptive of an off-ball defender as you'll find. He's terrific in transition, flying up the floor and then finishing with authority on the break. Offensively, he's developed his skill as a scorer, but still impresses with his burst and ability to make plays at the rim as a slasher. He's got a good motor and when you combine that with his physical profile and athletic tools, you have the makings of a high level prospect. Mid-majors have pulled the trigger on offers, Oklahoma State jumped into the picture a few weeks ago, and after this weekend, more high majors are sure to follow.   COMBO GUARD   [player_tooltip player_id='2325733' first='Jaeden' last='Roberts'] - A guard out of Putnam Science Academy, Roberts flashed as a scorer and creator, showing off a skillset that allows him to take over games on the offensive end of the floor. He's electric with the ball in his hands, showing some real wiggle off the bounce and the ability to score with athleticism or touch in the paint. The lefty navigates ball screens well, creates scoring opportunities off his drives, and has another gear in transition. He can make shots off the bounce from behind the arc and also has the ability to rise up and finish above the rim as a slasher. His offensive versatility allows him to play on or off the ball, while making scoring easier for his teammates with the ball in his hands. He's become a priority recruit for regional low and mid-majors and did nothing but solidify his status as one of the best available combo guards this weekend.   3-POINT SHOOTER   [player_tooltip player_id='2411216' first='AJ' last='Reinertson'] - A guard out of Lawrence Academy, Reinertson made shot after shot from behind the arc and do so in a variety of ways - off the catch, using slide dribbles, running the floor in transition, and coming off of screens. He made multiple threes in each of his games this weekend while showing off deep range and a quick trigger. He's a great mover without the basketball that runs off screens with the intent of getting open to shoot the basketball. He elevates nicely into his jumper, has a high release, and knows how to create space with his dribble. Part of why his shot is such a weapon is that he's also capable of scoring at the rim and in the mid-range by putting the ball on the floor, causing defenders to have to respect his ability as a versatile scorer. He definitely raised his stock this weekend and should be a prospect that starts to hear from high academic D1s in the coming months.   LOW-POST THREAT   [player_tooltip player_id='2470882' first='Theo' last='Edema'] - A big out of Cushing Academy, Edema packs a punch in the paint with his combination of size, skill, athleticism, and power. At 6'11" with broad shoulders and a solid base, he plays with a physicality that few prospects can match. While he's a terrific rim, rebounder, and post defender, it's his offensive game that has come along the most in the last year. He's an elite lob threat, is explosive on dump downs out of the dunker spot, and rolls hard to the rim out of ball screens. He has a huge catch radius, has greatly developed his ability to catch anything thrown his way, and scores over either shoulder with touch out of the low block. He holds an impressive list of high major offers and has used the last month to cement his status as a Top 5 big in his class and a Top 50 recruit in the country.   HARDEST PLAYING   [player_tooltip player_id='2325746' first='Amir' last='Jenkins'] - A guard out of Worcester Academy, Jenkins is the same guy game in and game out - the ultimate competitor that relishes the moment and isn't afraid to let everyone in the gym know it. He plays the game with so much passion - competitiveness, joy, frustration, pride - that it's hard not to be entranced when he's on the floor. His motor is always turned all the way up, both offensively and defensively, and he utilizes his quickness and burst to make plays in the half-court and in transition. He's an elite finisher, crafty multi-level scorer, and tough point of attack defender. He worked his way into Top 100 status this winter and has continued to impress this spring, with dozens of high major coaches watching all weekend long.   DECISION-MAKER   [player_tooltip player_id='2465117' first='Ryan' last='Moesch'] - A guard out of Cushing Academy, Moesch is the ultimate floor general - he's a playmaker first and a scorer second that plays with the highest of high level floor vision. He burst onto the scene in New England at this event last year and has done nothing but play impressive basketball ever since. He's got the ball on a string in the half-court, can make every play imaginable out of ball screens, and keeps defenses honest with his ability to score at multiple levels. The most impressive aspect of his game, and there are many, might be his ability to deliver passes on time and on target to his teammates, making scoring opportunities that much easier for those he plays with. He's climbed into the national rankings, holds plenty of mid-major offers, and the only question now seems to be - which high major is going to pull the trigger first?   MOST IMPROVED   [player_tooltip player_id='1532640' first='Quinn' last='Costello'] - A forward out of the Newman School, Costello continued his meteoric rise this weekend by showcasing a versatile offensive game, an improved motor, and a nice combination of athleticism and toughness. The biggest stock riser in the nation this spring, he continued to show why this weekend against elite competition. At 6'10", he moves really well in space, has the ability to score from beyond the arc, and impresses with his ability to get up and down the floor in transition. He had one of the more impressive stretches of play on Saturday, completely taking over a game for a three minute span that included a made three, blocked shot, euro-step layup in transition, traffic defensive rebound, and transition dunk before the halftime buzzer. High majors have offered by the dozens in recent weeks and his ascension up the rankings might not be done yet.   DEPENDABLE   [player_tooltip player_id='2470924' first='Ryan' last='McLaughlin'] - A guard out of Milton Academy, McLaughlin makes high basketball IQ plays, gives great effort on the defensive end of the floor, and cares about winning more than stats. A coach's kid, he thinks the game at a really high level and consistently makes winning plays. This weekend, he impressed with his decision making, ability to score from behind the arc, and willingness to give up his body on the defensive end of the floor. His commitment to team basketball, to doing the little things, and his continued growth as a player allowed him to stand out in a gym filled with high major talent. He's continued on an upward trajectory and will be a fun prospect to continue monitoring over the next year plus.   In reality, there were probably another 10 to 20 prospects that could have been included in a list like this as the talent in the gym was immense and numerous prospects performed in a way that helped increase their recruitment.   One of the best things about this weekend? It was only the first of two NEPSAC Showcases to be held this summer, as hundreds of prospects will have the chance to play for their respective NEPSAC teams again next weekend at Avon Old Farms School.   While this wraps up my coverage from Babson, be on the lookout next weekend as Prep Hoops New England will be back in the gym looking for the next wave of standouts and superlatives!

Today, we'll wrap up our NEPSAC Showcase coverage with a look some Weekend Superlatives from the event.