State Association Standout Scorers: Connecticut

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we'll wrap up our&nbsp;<em>Standout Scorers</em>&nbsp;series with a trip to Connecticut!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Connecticut consistently produces some of the top prospects in New England, with numerous individuals that go on to play at the college level each and every year. This year is no different, as the top overall prospect in the region, <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2341304' first='Abdou' last='Toure']</em></strong>, hails from Connecticut.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are five&nbsp;<em>Standout Scorers</em>&nbsp;from the CIAC this winter:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2759446"],"_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-698160e8d2cc0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Clachko, a senior guard out of <em>Staples High School</em>, continues to be among the top perimeter scorers in the state of Connecticut. The <strong><em>Connecticut College</em></strong> bound guard does a nice job of scoring it in a variety of ways, showing the ability to play on or off the ball, and showing good instincts as an off ball mover. He's elite in catch and shoot situations from behind the three point line and has done a nice job of developing his off the bounce game over the years. He leverages his shooting to attack closeouts, has the ability to score it in the mid-range, and does a nice job of scoring with touch to finish over size around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2955149"],"_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-698160e8d2d47"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson, a senior guard out of <em>West Haven High School</em>, has elevated his game as much as any prospect in the state over the last 12 months. One of the CIAC's premier athletes, he does a terrific job of making plays on the defensive end of the floor that lead to scoring opportunities in transition. He has good size at the guard spot and plus length, which when combined with his quickness, allows him to get into the paint at will off the bounce, where he's a high level scorer around the rim. He does a nice job of scoring in isolation situations, showing some plus shot creation ability with the ball in his hands. On top of all that, he's developed some consistency from behind the arc as a shooter and is capable of knocking them down in bunches when he gets hot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2553801"],"_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-698160e8d2dd4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sims, a senior wing out of <em>Newington High School</em>, recently passed the 1,000-point mark and is also closing in on 1,000-rebounds for his career. The 6'4" wing is a standout on the gridiron and the physicality translates for him. He plays with an elite motor, uses his athleticism to his advantage in the open floor, and has a nose for the ball on the offensive glass. He's capable of overpowering defenders around the rim, showing the ability to finish with either hand and to make plays through contact. He does a nice job of attacking the rim in transition, can hit jumpers in the mid-range, and also has the ability to make plays off the bounce from the perimeter, getting to the rim more often than not.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2461542"],"_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-698160e8d2e35"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gillespie, a junior guard out of <em>Capital Preparatory Magnet School</em>, has established himself as one of the top scorers not just in Connecticut, but in all of New England. The 6'2" junior recently passed the 1,000-point mark and broke his own single-game school record for points early this year, when he had 53 in win over Prince Tech. He's now finishing plays above the rim, makes good decisions off the bounce with the ball in his hands, and has the ability to knock down threes from behind the arc off the bounce or in catch and shoot situations. He's got a quick first step as a driver, finishes with a lot of creativity around the rim, and is a big-time shot maker in isolation situations late in the clock. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2568504"],"_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-698160e8d2e8f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Charlot, a junior guard out of <em>Notre Dame Prep of Sacred Heart</em>, is among the top playmakers in the juniors class in New England. He's a 20.0 point per game scorer that can also step on the floor and rack up 10+ assists on any given night. He plays with elite quickness on both ends of the floor, has the ball on a string as a ball-handler, and has a deep bag as a scorer around the basket. His ability to make plays for others enhances his ability to score himself, opening up driving lanes and shooting windows from behind the arc. He plays with poise, toughness, and confidence and thrives as a three level scorer each and every night he takes the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While this wraps up our&nbsp;<em>Standout Scorers</em>&nbsp;series, keep an eye out this week as we start to take a look at some prospects that are in the mix for the NEPSAC Player of the Year awards in their respective classes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->