Summer Superlatives - The Playmakers

Next up in the Summer Superlatives series, we'll take a look at The Playmakers!   These prospects, mostly guards, operated at a high level with the ball in their hands, showing the ability to break down a defense and create easy scoring opportunities for their teams.   A reminder, these lists are not Top 5 lists! In fact, we'll aim to use each list to highlight standout prospects that we believe will eventually play at a variety of levels of college basketball. From high majors to the Division III level, these superlatives will recognize a wide range of prospects that stood out with their play on the hardwood this summer.   Here are five prospects that left their mark on the summer circuit with their ability to make plays for themselves and for others, they are - The Playmakers!   [player_tooltip player_id='2638999' first='Lucas' last='Morillo']   Morillo, a 6'7" guard out of the Newman School in Massachusetts, continued his ascent into Top 100 status this summer while impressing with his ability to make plays with the ball in his hands. The big guard shined with the City Rocks on the EYBL circuit, showing poise with the basketball in his hands and the ability to consistently deliver passes on time and on target to shooters. He plays at his own speed, is consistent in his approach to the game, and does a nice job of making plays as both a scorer and creator. He makes good decisions out of ball screens, uses his frame to his advantage when getting into the paint off the bounce, and can switch gears and turn into a scorer at any given time. His recruitment includes a long list of high major programs, with NC State, Villanova, and Texas being among the latest programs to jump into the mix.   [player_tooltip player_id='2465117' first='Ryan' last='Moesch']   Moesch, a 6'0" guard out of Cushing Academy in Massachusetts, impressed at every stop as a playmaker that had the ability to manipulate a defense with his handle, vision, passing, and scoring. One of the more competitive lead guards around, he is an ultra-creative ball handler that has elite vision and the ability to make any pass in the book. He's crafty when operating in ball screens, showing the ability to sling passes all over the floor or get to his spots as a scorer. He can take over games as a multi-level scorer, is an elite decision maker in transition, and plays with poise and flair at the same time. His recruitment is interesting as it primarily sits at the mid-major level, with programs like Bradley, Fordham, and Bowling Green getting involved recently, but the high majors loom, with Providence being the first to officially offer a few weeks ago.   [player_tooltip player_id='2571907' first='Jackson' last='Perri']   Perri, a 6'0" guard out of the Roxbury Latin School in Massachusetts, made an impact with his athleticism, ability to score the basketball, and creativity off the bounce. The 2028 guard finished the summer season playing up at the 16U level with the Middlesex Magic, showing the ability to adapt to a higher level of play. He's shifty with the ball in his hands, can get anywhere he wants off the bounce, and does a nice job of drawing a second defender off drives before finding the open man. He's a three level scorer that can take over games as a scorer for stretches, but also shows a willingness to make the simple play that leads to easy baskets for his team. He's got a high basketball IQ that combines nicely with his creativity and high skill level. It's too early to have any real idea of how his recruitment will play out, but he definitely looks like the type of prospect that could lead an offense at the scholarship level.   [player_tooltip player_id='2546965' first='Zach' last='Romich']   Romich, a 6'3" guard out of Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire, was as steady as they come all summer long, showing an ability to run a team efficiently and effectively. A standout with the New England Storm, he was a top performer at multiple Hoop Group events this summer, helping his team win a lot of basketball games along the way. Another prospect that can really shoot the basketball, he does a great job of leveraging his shooting to open up his playmaking. He uses his frame to his advantage as a driver, plays with confidence in ball screens, and does a nice job of using his vision as a passer in the half-court. His poise on the ball, willingness to quickly move it as a passer, and steady presence against pressure all help him to be a quality floor general. He looks the part of a Day 1 contributor at a Top 25 D3 program, but with his combination of positional size and skill, has played his was into clear scholarship level consideration.   [player_tooltip player_id='2875024' first='Allen' last='Brown Jr.']   Brown, a 5'11" guard out of Holbrook Middle-High School in Massachusetts, showed some dynamic traits while operating as a lead ball-handler that made play after play off the bounce. His ability to shoot the basketball with range opens up driving lanes, where he shows a great understanding of how to play off two feet in the paint. He finishes plays with a variety of dribble moves, euro-steps, and slick passes to big men under the rim. He does a great job of moving the basketball, finding shooters open off the skip passes, and extends his playmaking to the defensive end of the floor, where he makes plenty of plays on the basketball that lead to turnovers and easy run-outs. As a big time scorer of the basketball with the ability to make plays for others off the bounce, he's established himself as a future college prospect and should be a priority recruit for plenty of D3 programs throughout New England.   Next up in the Summer Superlatives series - The Stoppers!

Next up in the Summer Superlatives series, we'll take a look at The Playmakers!