NEPSAC Big Board: Off-Ball Hybrids

Next up in our NEPSAC Big Board series are the Off-Ball Hybrids!   The Off-Ball Hybrids are prospects that can play on the perimeter or in the paint, while offering up defensive versatility. They do more offensively off movement and cutting, but are good decision makers that can score, rebound, and defend.   NBA Player Comp: Josh Hart    Williams-Crawford is coming off of an impressive travel circuit season with Expressions. The CATS Academy wing put it all together in July, showcasing his offensive and defensive versatility. He's got good size at 6'7", is incredibly long, and has terrific mobility. He can guard up and down a lineup, making plays in passing lanes, cleaning up on the glass, and blocking shots from the help side. Offensively, he gets out and runs the floor in transition, can make plays as a slasher in isolation situations, crashes the offensive glass, and can even set screens in screening actions. He's one of the most versatile players in New England and is a true connector with his ability to fill whatever role is needed for his team.     Okpara was a standout at multiple stops this summer, improving his stock and boosting his recruitment along the way. The Wilbraham & Monson forward is capable of defending five positions, has great length, and plays with an incredibly high motor on both ends of the floor. His defense is his calling card as he can cover lead guards in the open floor and big men in the post, while also contributing at a high level on the glass. He's a grab and go rebounder that can handle in transition, makes quick decisions with the ball in his hands, is a high IQ cutter, and does a nice job as a screener that can roll hard to the rim or pop into space. Bryant offered this summer and more will likely follow in the coming months.     Erickson burst onto the scene this spring and continued to be productive at every stop along the way. The Cushing Academy wing plays with a high IQ on both ends of the floor, understands spacing and cutting, and can operate as a decision maker in transition and at the top of the key. He can play as a screener in ball screens, knows how to make reads out of dribble hand-offs, and does a great job of crashing the offensive glass. He's a tough slasher that gets downhill off the bounce, plays through contact, and finishes in a variety of ways around the rim. When the contact period opened, he heard from multiple D1s, including Brown, Merrimack, and NJIT.     Plalum could be one of the region's breakout sophomores after transferring and reclassifying this summer. The Middlesex School wing had a strong season in Maine last winter and showed skill development throughout the summer. At 6'4", he has good size on the perimeter and uses that, along with his length, to be a disruptive defender, particularly in the passing lanes. He's a fluid athlete that covers ground quickly, attacks the rim off the bounce, and shows a good feel as an off-ball cutter. His length is an asset as a finisher around the rim and he's done a nice job of developing his perimeter jumper, showing the ability to be efficient in catch and shoot situations.     Leese has a chance to burst onto the scene this winter as one of the better 2029's in New England. The Noble & Greenough wing had a productive first year at the high school level before electing to transfer and reclassify. At 6'6", he has great size on the wing and combines that with a good feel for the game with the ball in his hands. He's a knockdown shooter in catch and shoot situations, but profiles as a big decision maker who can handle in the half-court and shows good floor vision as a faciliator. Defensively, he can guard up and down a position, knows where to be in rotations, and does a nice job of starting the break off of defensive rebounds.    Keep an eye out for our next NEPSAC Big Board article on Wing Handlers!

Next up in our NEPSAC Big Board series are the Off-Ball Hybrids!