Program Profiles – XLP

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we continue our&nbsp;<em>Program Profiles</em>&nbsp;series with a look at&nbsp;<em>XLP</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Based out of Portland, Maine,&nbsp;<em>XLP</em>&nbsp;is led by its director, Mikey Harmon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quickly becoming a top program in southern Maine, <em>XLP</em> takes on a high level schedule throughout the northeast each spring and summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In recent years, they've helped to produce an impressive number of college players, most of whom have gone on to have plenty of success at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their 2025 group featured the state's <em>Gatorade Player of the Year</em> (a future D2 player), as well as five more prospects that will play next fall at the Division III level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are five prospects from&nbsp;<em>XLP</em>&nbsp;that have stood out so far this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2571876"],"_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-685217c2ed566"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hamilton, a member of the <em>XLP 2028</em> squad, is a versatile hybrid forward out of <em>Thornton Academy</em> in Maine. At 6'5", he has the size needed to finish plays around the rim, but also displays some wiggle off the bounce on the perimeter, and the ability to consistently knock down shots from behind the arc. He does a nice job of using shot and pass fakes to create space, is quick into his jumper off the catch, and has the ability to go by defenders in isolation situations. On top of all that, he has a deep bag of finishes around the rim and displays really good touch in the paint. Defensively, he can guard either forward spot and has the ability to rebound in traffic and in space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2696676"],"_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-685217c2ed5f6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ames, a member of the <em>XLP 2026</em> squad, is a high scoring guard out of <em>Camden Hills</em> in Maine. At 6'3", he displays an impressive combination of positional size, athleticism, and strength. He finishes well around the rim, making plays through contact, and showing creativity to finish plays over size. He has good burst off the bounce, uses his size to his advantage as a passer in the half-court, and has clean and repeatable mechanics on his perimeter jumper. He is hard to guard in transition and when he gets downhill in the half-court, and, on top of that, shows an impressive ability to create space with the bounce in isolation situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2811657"],"_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-685217c2ed67e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mann, a member of the <em>XLP 2025</em> squad, is an athletic wing out of <em>Falmouth</em> in Maine. Arguably the top stock riser in Maine's <em>Class of 2025</em> this winter, he has continued his hot streak this spring while showing off impressive scoring ability in the open floor. An athletic lefty, he has a quick first step, a strong frame, and the ability to elevate over defenders at the rim. He does a good job of moving without the ball, cuts hard to the rim, and has the ability to play with his back to the basket in the paint against smaller guards. Defensively, he can guard up or down a position and is really good as a grab and go defender. The option to do a PG year and join the <em>Class of 2026</em> appears to still be on the table.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"Khaelon Watkins","_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":"6'3u0022","_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":"King Middle","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"XLP","_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-685217c2ed74c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Watkins, a member of the <em>XLP 2029</em> squad, is a dynamic two-way wing out of <em>King Middle</em> in Maine. After dominating the middle school scene the last two years, he's continued to excel on the travel circuit as he prepares to head to the high school level this fall. A long and athletic 6'3", he is a terrific finisher around the rim and one of the better athletes in the <em>Class of 2029</em> in New England. A fluid mover, he covers ground quickly with long strides, and continues to improve as a ball-handler and decision maker. Defensively, he has all the tools needed to be a lockdown defender going forward and is the type of prospect that quickly turns steals and deflections into transition offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2553839"],"_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-685217c2ed7a8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">LeGage, a member of the <em>XLP 2026</em> squad, is a crafty scoring guard out of <em>Portland</em> in Maine. A three level scorer, he has one of the quicker releases around on his jumper and does a nice job of elevating into his shot both in the mid-range and from behind the arc. He moves well without the basketball, uses screens to his advantage to get into his catch, and has a quick first step when putting the ball on the floor. He shows some creativity as a finisher around the rim, creates space with quick stops, and can knock shots down in bunches when he sees the ball go through the hoop once. He's a high IQ decision maker that can operate as a secondary ball-handler in the half-court, while also pushing the ball himself in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->