Five to Watch – Rhode Island

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We continue our <em>Five to Watch</em> series today by checking out a few prospects who have left their stamp on the travel circuit this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we hit the midway point of July, the travel calendar nears its completion, meaning there's only a few more weeks of summer ball for each of these prospects to impress coaches and scouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Up next - five prospects from the state of Rhode Island!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2716997"],"_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-6875b41045d13"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Vaz is a 6'4" forward out of <em>East Providence</em>. The 2028 prospect has a big frame and some real skill with the ball in his hands. He's a quick finisher on catches in the dunker spot, makes plays as a creator in the open floor, and has the ability to finish with touch with his back to the basket. He rebounds at a high level on both ends of the floor, has a good feel for the game offensively, and can guard up and down a position. He's a prospect to watch going forward and could be a breakout star in the <em>RIIL</em> this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2341299"],"_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-6875b41045d7b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chess is a 6'5" guard out of <em>St. George's School</em>. The 2026 prospect has been a standout for a couple of years now, but took his game to another level this summer with the <em>Middlesex Magic</em>. Long known for his physically advanced frame and ability to make plays getting downhill, he took another step as a shooter, showing consistency in catch and shoot situations, as well as when running off screens. He's competitive, tough, and isn't afraid to take on high level match-ups defensively. He'll be a focal point for <em>St. George's</em> this winter and is bound for the Division I level after that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2341351"],"_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-6875b41045dc7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ibidapo is a 6'5" forward out of <em>Shea</em>. The 2026 prospect has a prototypical basketball frame, with positional size and plus length, allowing him to make an impact as an athletic scorer and versatile defender. He's a strong off-ball cutter that uses his length as a finisher, while also showing a nose for the ball on the offensive glass. Where he really shines is defensively, with his ability to guard all five positions, switch in ball screens, and block shots from the help side. He's got all the tools to be a standout in the <em>RIIL</em> this winter and will make a college program happy down the road with his swiss army knife skillset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2611205"],"_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-6875b41045e0f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Benedict is a 6'6" wing out of <em>St. George's School</em>. The 2027 prospect is a plus athlete that does a great job of attacking space off the catch. He can finish above the rim, through contact, or with touch in the paint. He impresses with his ability to put the ball on the deck with his off hand and is comfortable getting into his pull-up game off one or two dribbles. Defensively, he's ultra versatile with the ability to guard four positions, rebound at a high rate, and make plays in passing lanes. He has scholarship tools and will be an interesting prospect to track going forward.</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":"[player_tooltip player_id='2955143' first='Deion' last='Ellis-Cipriano']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_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":"Bishop Hendricken","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Rhode Island Magic","_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-6875b41045eb8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ellis-Cipriano is a 6'3" wing out of <em>Bishop Hendricken</em>. The 2026 prospect shined at the <em>All-Academic Camp</em> earlier this month, showcasing a dynamic skillset and the ability to make plays off the bounce for himself and others. He's got good athletic pop, is hard to guard in transition, and shows a good feel for the game when operating in ball screens. He does a nice job of moving without the ball and showed the ability to really shoot it off the bounce. Defensively, he sits in a stance and competes and has the ability to guard any perimeter position. D3 programs throughout New England should have him at the top of their lists this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye out later this week as we conclude our <em>Five to Watch</em> series with a look at prospects from Massachusetts!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->