MPA Underclassmen: Forwards to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we'll continue our preview series with a look at <em>Forwards to Watch</em> out of Maine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are five underclassmen forwards to keep an eye on this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2938600"],"_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-690fea0707060"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Watkins, a freshman out of <em>Cheverus High School</em>, is one of the top athletes out of New England in 2029. He has a physically advanced frame that allows him to play through contact as a downhill driver, knows how to use his athleticism as a finisher around the rim, and can really get out and score in transition. He has a nose for the ball on the offensive glass, isn't afraid to post guards on the block, and has two way versatility as a defender that can guard up and down a position while making an impact on the glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2969380"],"_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-690fea07070c3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pelletier, a freshman out of <em>Madawaska High School</em>, made waves throughout Maine last winter while starring on the hardwood at the varsity level as an 8th grader. He has terrific positional size, a frame that can play through contact in the paint, and an advanced feel for the game with the ball in his hands. While he's a plus athlete, it's his pace and feel for the game that really stands out. He operates as a jumbo decision maker with the ball in his hands and has the ability to get buckets at all three levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2571883"],"_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-690fea0707109"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Higgins, a sophomore out of <em>Brewer High School</em>, is one of the most intriguing young prospects in New England. Now pushing close to 6'10", he has a terrific combination of positional size, length, and athletic fluidity. He continues to impress with his defensive versatility, showing the lateral mobility to guard on the perimeter and great shot blocking instincts. Offensively, he can make decisions as a creator from the high post, has some touch out to the perimeter as a shooter, and is able to attack off the bounce and finish at the rim with length.</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":"Jacob Linkletter","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_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":"Madison","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-6910efdd564fb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Linkletter, a sophomore out of <em>Madison High School</em>, is one of the better young perimeter shooters in Maine. At 6'3" with a good frame, he has the ability to play in the paint, showing particularly impressive patience with the ball in his hands and his back to the basket. He sees the floor well, doesn't get sped up, and can really move without the ball. It's his ability to consistently knock down shots with range that stands out, as he has to be guarded any time he crosses half-court and has the basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2969354"],"_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-6910efdd5655e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mellor, a freshman forward out of <em>Cony High School</em>, stands out with his frame, ability to make plays around the rim, and two way presence. At 6'5", he has the size to impact games in the paint, but shows enough skill to take his game out onto the perimeter. He can knock down shots in catch and shoot situations, has the ability to finish plays with athleticism around the rim, and does a nice job of getting by the initial defender off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rhode Island will be next up in our state association preseason previews!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->