New England Commitment Catch-Up (3/19)

The end of the high school season typically leads to another wave of commitments and that trend has seemingly continued this year.   Today, we'll check in on some of the region's latest commitments, as well as a few that slipped through the cracks from earlier this winter.   Below are eight prospects from New England that will continue their playing careers at the next level next season.   [player_tooltip player_id='2696623' first='CJ' last='Azor']   Azor, a guard out of the Northfield Mt. Hermon School in Massachusetts, came off the board when he announced his commitment to Rochester Institute of Technology. The 6'1" guard made his name in New England with his ability to knock down threes in bunches and continued to add elements to his offensive game over the last two years. He's got a quick trigger and deep range on his jumper, but has also shown the ability to operate as a creator with the ball in his hands. Defensively, he can really sit in a stance and move his feet, which lets him be an impactful on-ball defender. With his ability to make shots, Azor should be able to quickly carve out a role at RIT and could develop into one of the top three point shooters in the Liberty League.   [player_tooltip player_id='2875612' first='Ren' last='Marchetti']   Marchetti, a guard out of the Taft School in Connecticut, finalized his future plans when he announced that he'll attend Chapman University. A 5'11" guard that can really shoot the basketball, Marchetti impresses with his off-ball movement and ability to quickly get into his shot off the catch. He makes good reads as a handler out of ball screens and has some creativity as a scorer over size in the paint. Defensively, he makes plays in passing lanes and really competes as an on-ball defender. A high IQ playmaker, Marchetti should fit in nicely in the Chapman back-court and could carve out a nice four-year career in the SCIAC.   [player_tooltip player_id='2341319' first='Nicolas' last='Mitrovic']   Mitrovic, a forward out of CATS Academy in Massachusetts, put an end to his recruitment when he announced that he'll reclassify to 2026 and attend the University of California, Berkeley. Mitrovic, a long and lean big, asserted himself physically this year around the rim, proving to be a talented shot blocker that made opponents think twice before trying to score around the rim. He can finish with touch around the rim, but stands out with his ability to operate as a pick and pop guy on the perimeter or to attack closeouts off the bounce. The 7-footer should see immediate minutes at California and has the potential to become one of the best floor spacing big men in the ACC over time.   [player_tooltip player_id='2417590' first='Musa' last='Kasanga']   Kasanga, a guard out of Vermont Academy in Vermont, wrapped up his recruitment when he committed to Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The 6'2" guard has good length and impressive quickness, which he utilizes to be a versatile and disruptive defender. On the other end of the floor, he's capable of consistently knocking down shots in catch and shoot situations and does a nice job of moving without the basketball, particularly when sliding into open passing windows off drives. He scores it at all three levels and does a nice job of finishing plays in a variety of ways at the rim. A tough, two-way guard, Kasanga fits the defensive mold that works well at WPI and should be a really nice rotation piece for them in the NEWMAC.   [player_tooltip player_id='1226928' first='Edison' last='Onwe']   Onwe, a wing out of the New Hampton School in New Hampshire, made his plans for the next level official when he announced that he'll attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Onwe is big and physical and does a nice job of operating offensively from the top of the key and the mid-post when he has the ball in his hands. He has a high release point on his jumper, can really clean it up on the offensive glass, and finishes with some creativity and strength around the rim. Defensively, he can guard in the post or in space and does a really nice job as a grab-and-go rebounder. A versatile wing, Onwe brings a lot of versatility to WPI and could develop into an all-league type of player in the NEWMAC.   [player_tooltip player_id='2553806' first='Jameson' last='Fitzpatrick']   Fitzpatrick, a forward of Cheverus High School in Maine, recently came off the board with a commitment to the University of Maine at Farmington. Fitzpatrick has a big, physical frame that he uses to his advantage when carving out space as a rebounder and as a low-post scorer. He's got good hands and soft touch around the rim, while also showing the ability to finish plays above the basket in space. He's a plus two-way rebounder that has the ability to guard up and down a position defensively. Fitzpatrick's combination of size, strength, and skill should allow him to quicky carve out a role at UMF, where he could develop into an all-league performer in the NAC.   [player_tooltip player_id='2633506' first='Jimmy' last='Vahey']   Vahey, a guard out of Austin Prep in Massachusetts, announced his plans for the next level with a commitment to the University of Southern Maine. At 6'5", Vahey is a big guard that has done a nice job of developing his overall game on the offensive end of the floor. He can handle it and put pressure on the rim in transition, finishes with length around the basket, and does a nice job of knocking down shots in catch and shoot situations. Defensively, he makes an impact with his length in passing lanes and, although on the leaner side, isn't afraid to mix it up on the glass. Vahey can really shoot the basketball which should help him to earn minutes quickly at USM and allow him to develop into a big-time shot maker in the Little East.   [player_tooltip player_id='2818561' first='Chinedu' last='Okpara']   Okpara, a forward out of Wilbraham & Monson Academy in Massachusetts, wrapped up his recruiting when he announced that he will attend Gardner-Webb University. Okpara plays with a relentless motor on both ends of the floor and when combined with his 6'7" frame and 7'0" wingspan, has turned himself into one of the more versatile prospects in the region. He can score it around the basket with either hand, aggressively crashes the offensive glass, and can take advantage of mismatches on the perimeter off the bounce. Defensively, he's got good lateral mobility and the ability to guard any position on the floor, while also developing into a high level shot blocker. Okpara has some impressive physical tools that could help him earn early minutes at Gardner-Webb and, in the long-term, develop into one of the top two-way forwards in the SoCon.

The end of the high school season typically leads to another wave of commitments and that trend has seemingly continued this year.