NEPSAC Showcase Preview: Familiar Faces, New Places

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our NEPSAC Showcase previews continue today with a look at some New England natives that will suit up for different programs next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are many reasons why prospects might change schools in any given year - coaching changes, opportunities to enhance recruitment, extending developmental windows - but one thing that is true in each of these cases is that these prospects should all have a major impact on the programs they are joining.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are five New England standouts that we're excited to see play with their new programs at the NEPSAC Showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2407057"],"_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-6a260cb278e26"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Griffiths, a rising senior, will spend his final year of high school at the <em>St. Thomas More School</em> in Connecticut. A nationally ranked prospect, the 6'7" wing has had a terrific spring with the <em>Middlesex Magic</em>, showcasing his three-level scoring abiltity, smooth perimeter jumper, and explosive athleticism. He plays with a lot of versatility on the offensive end of the floor and is seemingly gaining confidence each time out. With good positional size and length, he's also a plus defender that has the ability to make an impact on the glass and to provide rim protection. He picked up recent offers from <strong><em>Butler</em></strong> and <strong><em>Ole Miss</em></strong> and I'd expect those won't be the only two programs to offer this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2950400"],"_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-6a27579a8e776"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">James, a 4-year standout in the MPA, will head to New Hampshire for a post-graduate year at <em>Phillips Exeter Academy</em>. The 5'10" lead guard led <em>Windham</em> to two state championships in the last three years and will now have the ability to showcase his game in the highly competitive NEPSAC Class A. He is a blur in transition, plays with a ton of creativity as a finisher around the rim, and has the ability to knock down perimeter jumpers in bunches. He's got plus floor vision, makes good reads in the half-court, and utilizes a quick first step to get a piece of the paint off the bounce. A high academic prospect, he should be on the radar of academic programs this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2832763"],"_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-6a27579a8e81d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McCauley, a decorated underclassman in the NHIAA, will continue his high school career in New Hampshire as a member of the <em>Class of 2029</em> at the <em>New Hampton School</em>. A big-time athlete, the 6'7" forward is brimming with long-term potential and should greatly benefit from the extra year and increased competition he'll get at <em>New Hampton</em>. He makes plays around the rim on both ends of the floor, is a fluid athlete that has the ability to guard up and down a lineup, and continue to build his comfort level with the ball in his hands. The <em>Mass Rivals</em> standout should be one of the better 2029's in attendance this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470857"],"_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-6a275859936a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ayala, a rising senior, returns to a familiar place as he'll spend his final high school season at <em>Milton Academy</em>. One of the top perimeter defenders in New England, the 6'4" guard moves well laterally, reads plays before they develop, and has the strength to guard up a position when needed. He generates steals at a high rate, rebounds in traffic, and is really good when he can get out and make plays in transition with the ball in his hands. He has a good feel for the game in the half-court, is comfortable operating as an initiator out of ball screens, and ultra competitive. Few guards in the region can match his combination of strength and shiftiness. The Division I prospect has offers from <strong><em>Chattanooga</em></strong> and <strong><em>Towson</em></strong> and will be popular with coaches this weekend.</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-6a2759e734728"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Charlot, a multi-year standout in the CIAC, will join the <em>Class of 2028</em> and head to <em>Cushing Academy</em> in Massachusetts. The 5'10" guard picked up an offer this spring from <strong><em>Fairfield</em></strong> and has the chance to add more this weekend as his combination of scoring, playmaking, and defensive instincts is sure to catch the eye of college coaches. He does a great job of finding his bigs in scoring positions off of his drives, gets wherever he wants in the half-court off the bounce, and is a tough scorer in the mid-range. Defensively, he can really move his feet and, when combined with his quick hands, is a threat to pick opposing guards any time they cross half-court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->