New England Commitment Catch-Up (5/26)

We're kicking off another week with our third set of commitments in the last 5 days!   New England is one of the most talent rich regions in the country, which makes it no surprise that high level talent continues to come off the board in recent days.   Below are eight prospects that came off the board this week.   Jaden Givens   Givens, a guard out of La Salle Academy in Rhode Island, wrapped up his recruitment with a commitment to Franklin Pierce University. The 6'1" guard does a nice job of creating off the bounce, both for himself and for others, and shows the ability to play at different speeds in the half-court. He moves well without the ball, is a consistent perimeter shooter in catch and shoot situations, and has the ability to finish over size in the paint. Defensively, he can guard either spot in the back-court, has quick feet to stay in front of opposing ball handlers, and creates steals and deflections at a high rate. Givens lands at the scholarship level with Franklin Pierce and will be a two-sport athlete in the Northeast-10.   Andrew Rivera   Rivera, a guard out of Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts, put an end to his recruitment when he announced that he'll attend Endicott College. The 6'2" plays with physicality on both ends of the floor, which fits with his background as a talented football player. He operates as a shot creator in the half-court, finishes in a variety of ways around the rim, and is capable of making plus reads out of ball screens. Defensively, he competes on the ball, makes plays in passing lanes, and has the ability to rebound in traffic and in space. Rivera is a major recruiting win for Endicott and has the potential to be a multi-time all-league selection in the CNE.   CJ Blakely   Blakely, a guard out of Smithfield High School in Rhode Island, finalized his plans for the next level with a commitment to the University of Southern Maine. The 6'0" combo guard has a good feel for the game with the ball in his hands and the ability to make tough shots late in the clock. He plays with poise, doesn't get sped up, and can operate as a scorer or creator in the half-court. Defensively, he is capable of guarding either spot in the back-court and has the ability to make plays off the ball with his solid basketball IQ. Blakely is a nice late pledge for Southern Maine, where he has the chance to compete early for minutes on a good Little East squad.   Kaden Bedard   Bedard, a guard out of the Newman School in Massachusetts, came off the board when he announced his pledge to the University of Maine. The 6'1" guard is a heady playmaker that brings grit and toughness to both ends of the floor. He does a nice job of making plays for others off the bounce and has developed his perimeter jumper over the years. He makes an impact defensively with his instincts, compete level, and willingness to give up his body to make winning plays. Bedard is a legacy get for Maine and will bring a winning mentality and plenty of skill to the America East.   Alton Williams   Williams, a forward out of Hollis-Brookline High School in New Hampshire, announced his future plans with a commitment to Nichols College. The 6'5" forward plays with a terrific two-way motor that allows him to rebound, protector the rim, and score around the basket. He has plus length and the ability to defend multiple positions with his combination of lateral mobility, athleticism, and strength. Offensively, he's even begun to show the ability to handle in transition and to create off the bounce from the perimeter. Williams gives Nichols a versatile frontcourt piece and profiles as a future all-league performer in the CNE.   Elijah Avery-Turner   Avery-Turner, a wing out of the MacDuffie School in Massachusetts, made his future plans official when he announced that he'll attend American International College. tHE 6'5" wing operates as a secondary handler and creator, showing the potential to be a jumbo offensive initiator at the next level. He does a nice job of making reads out of ball screens, sees the floor well as a passer, and utilizes his physical tools to get into the paint off the bounce. He's a consistent perimeter shooter that can knock shots down in bunches from behind the arc. Defensively, he has the ability to guard four positions and makes an impact on the glass. Avery-Turner is a high level recruit for AIC and has the chance to be a standout from Day 1 in the Northeast-10.   David Smith   Smith, a guard out of the St. Thomas More School in Connecticut, wrapped up his recruitment with a pledge to Central Connecticut State University. The 6'4" guard is an elite athlete that has a college ready frame and the ability to make a big impact on the defensive end of the floor. He sits in a stance and works on that end, showing impressive strength, agility, and instincts. Offensively, he's able to get downhill off the bounce, makes smart cuts off the ball, and has the ability to finsh through contact at the rim. He continues to develop his game as a shooter from behind the arc and in the mid-range. Smith is a nice late pick-up for CCSU and instantly becomes one of the most athletic guards in the NEC.   [player_tooltip player_id='2470882' first='Theo' last='Edema']   Edema, a forward out of Cushing Academy in Massachusetts, announced that he would head to college a year earlier than expected at St. John's University. The 6'11" big man is force in that paint that has developed as much as any prospect in the country over the last two years. He's an elite two way rebound, shows good instincts and timing as a shot blocker, and continues to try to dunk everything he touches around the rim. He makes good passes out of double teams, rolls hard to the rim out of ball screens, and is a terrific rim runner in transition. Edema gives St. John's a terrific young piece in the frontcourt and should be in the running for Rookie of the Year in the Big East.

We're kicking off another week with our third set of commitments in the last 5 days!