NEPSAC Big Board: Stretch Bigs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up in our <em>NEPSAC Big Board</em> series are the <em>Stretch Bigs</em>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The <em>Stretch Bigs</em> are prospects that have the ability to space the floor offensively, while still providing post defense, rebounding, and rim protection. They can score inside, but help to stretch the defense with their shooting and ability to operate as rollers or pop guys out of screening actions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>NBA Player Comp: Karl-Anthony Towns</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1532640"],"_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-68ace44534e6e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Costello improved his stock more than any prospect in the country this summer. The <em>Newman School</em> forward is a unique offensive talent that might be the best pick and pop prospect in the country. The 6'10" forward is a legit floor spacer that knows how to move off the ball and slide into open passing lanes. He's really rounded out his offensive game and is now taking full advantage of his plus athleticism and high level of skill to score at multiple levels. However, what seperates him from most prospects his size continues to be his ability to make shots at a high clip from behind the arc. Costello, a <em>Top 50</em> recruit in the country, recently cut his recruitment to the following six schools - <strong><em>Michigan</em></strong>, <strong><em>Michigan State</em></strong>, <strong><em>Minnesota</em></strong>, <strong><em>North Carolina</em></strong>, <strong><em>Purdue</em></strong>, and <strong><em>Texas</em></strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1358460"],"_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-68ace44534eca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Birden is a major breakout candidate heading into the season after performing at a high level this summer with <em>New Heights</em>. The <em>South Kent</em> prospect is long, lean, and athletic, and has defensively versatility that allows him to guard up and down a position, while also protecting the rim. He's a fluid athlete that has the ability to play on the wing, but his size and shot making ability makes him a mismatch at the forward spot. He's got a quick release on his jumper, can get it off against any defender, and has a really nice feel for how to move off of drives. On top of that, he's a serious lob threat in the half-court and an electric finisher at the rim. He'll play at the Division I level, with offers this summer from <strong><em>Cal Baptist</em></strong>, <strong><em>East Tennessee State</em></strong>, <strong><em>Northeastern</em></strong>, and <strong><em>Texas State</em></strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2568372"],"_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-68ace44534f13"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mullins fits the mold as a prototypical floor spacer with his ability to make shots with the ball in his hands, running off screens, or in catch and shoot situations. The <em>Noble &amp; Greenough</em> prospect had a productive summer with <em>Team White Mamba</em>, showcasing his versatility and shot making at a high level. He's another prospect that shines as a pop guy in ball screens, quickly finding space and presenting a big target for ball-handling guards. While he's a capable multi-level finisher, his ability to move without the ball, hit shots with range, and also create his own shot from behind the arc are seperators in his game. He's another prospect that should be in line for a breakout season and is one to watch for scholarship level programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2571912"],"_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-68ace44534f57"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ronndahl is as skilled of a prospect as anyone you'll find in the 2028 class. The <em>Taft School</em> big had the chance to play at the international level this summer as a memeber of <em>Sweden's</em> 16U team at the FIBA EuroBasket tournament. He has the ability to make shots from the perimeter in catch and shoot situations, but excels at spacing the floor with his playmaking. He does a nice job of operating in DHO actions, can roll hard to the rim or pop into space after setting screens, and has a good feel as a passer from the top of the key. His ability to dissect a defense from the perimeter with the ball in his hands draws defenders out and spaces the floor for the rest of his teammates. He's highly skilled, has good positional size, and is in line for a breakout season this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2938858"],"_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-68b3aeda8af5e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Scorza should be among the top young prospects in the region this winter, particularly when it comes to making shots and spacing the floor. The <em>Proctor Academy</em> forward comes to New England from Toronto and is a highly skilled prospect with a unique offensive game. A high motor forward, he plays with great energy and does a nice job of operating out of ball screens. He's got good mechanics, quickly sets his feet when popping out of screens, and has soft touch on his jumper out behind the three. He can score it in bunches from behind the arc and does a nice job of letting the game come to him and turning down good scoring opportunities to seak out great ones.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye out for our next <em>NEPSAC Big Board</em> article on <em>Small-Ball Bigs</em>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->