NEPSAC Showcase Preview: Breakout Candidates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This weekend marks the first of two NEPSAC Showcases that will take place at <em>Worcester Academy</em> in June.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These showcases have quickly become a required stop on college coaches summer calendars and bring together an immense amount of talent over the course of just a few days.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we prepare to head into the weekend, we'll highlight some prospects that we're looking forward to seeing more of, starting with the breakout candidates for this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2829417"],"_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-6a260c4bb372b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McClure, a rising junior at <em>Phillips Exeter Academy</em> in New Hampshire, is coming off an All-NEPSAC season this winter and playing with incredible efficiency on the offensive end of the floor. The 6'2" guard does a great job of creating space with his bounce and elevates when getting into his jumper, allowing him to get his shot off over most defenders. He's a crafty finisher around the rim that is playing with more athleticism than ever before. He's a willing ball mover, makes good decisions in transition, and is a tough, two-way rebounder. His ability to score, combined with his competitiveness, should catch the eye of plenty of scholarship level coaches this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2878905"],"_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-6a275af3bd9c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Merritt, a rising senior at the <em>New Hampton School</em> in New Hampshire, impresses with his ability to fill multiple roles on the offensive end of the floor. He's a big, physical guard that can create for others or score when asked to. The progession of his perimeter jumper has taken his game to another level and allowed him to impact games as a three level scorer. He's a tough cover in transition, makes plus reads in ball screens, and is an instictive cutter. Defensively, he can guard any spot on the perimeter and is capable of making an impact on the glass. He's a scholarship level prospect that should have plenty of coaches following him over the course of the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2571893"],"_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-6a275af3bda00"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leese, a rising sophomore at the <em>Noble &amp; Greenough School</em> in Massachusetts, has had a breakout spring while playing up an age level for the Middlesex Magic. The 6'6" forward has turned heads this spring with his inside-out skill set and ability to play physically on both ends of the floor. He has broad shoulders, a strong frame, and the ability to move well in space. He can stretch the floor as a shooter, makes good decisions with the ball in his hands, and is a tough finisher around the rim. His ceiling continues to rise as he combines toughness, skill, and feel for the game. Only a 2029, he'll put himself on the scholarship radar at these showcases.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2960045"],"_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-6a275af3bda24"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Odutayo, a rising senior at the <em>Pomfret School</em> in Connecticut, is a twitchy athlete that erases shots at the rim and shows the ability to score in and out of the paint on the other end of the floor. The 6'9" forward has great length and is quick to get off the floor, which plays to his advantage and makes him one of the top shot blockers in New England. He's incredibly mobile and does a nice job of keeping opposing ball-handlers in front of him when switched onto the perimeter. He runs the floor well in transition, rolls hard to the rim out of ball screens, and has the ability to finish above the rim or through contact at the basket. His physical tools and the continued development of his offensive game make him someone who will intrigue scholarship level schools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[2202029],"_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-6a276848c1120"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kugo, a rising junior at the <em>Newman School</em> in Massachusetts, has already made a name for himself in New England while playing at a high level this spring with the Middlesex Magic. The 6'10" forward has a bit of a throwback game as a back to the basket scorer, but also shows the ability to step out and hit catch and shoot jumpers from the perimeter. He does a nice job of passing out of double teams, finishes with authority around the rim, and is able to find soft spots as a roller out of screens. Defensively, he uses his strength to his advantage as a rebounder, makes things difficult for opposing forwards in the paint, and offers some rim protection when coming from the help side. He's another 2028 that should have a busy phone at the conclusion of this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->