Spring Stock Risers: New England Publics

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's officially summer, which means it's a good time to check in on some of our spring stock risers!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The spring months, particularly April and May, are always an exciting time on the grassroots scene as prospects across the country either break out for the first time or take their games to another level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below, we'll take a look at five prospects from public high schools in New England, that raised their stock this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2835584"],"_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-6a20307b8685f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sanu, a rising junior at <em>Portsmouth High School</em> in New Hampshire, averaged 11.2 points per game last winter - good for third on his high school team. This spring, with the <em>Mass Rivals</em>, he's proven to be one of the top scorers on the <em>3SSB</em> circuit, scoring it from all three levels and showing a good amount of shot creation ability with the ball in his hands. The 6'1" guard has a quick first step, does a nice job of moving without the basketball, and plays angles well off the bounce. Where he really shines is with his ability to finish in a variety of ways around the rim, particularly over size. Defensively, he has the ability to guard either position in the back-court and can rack up steals in a hurry. He's established himself as someone who's on the scholarship track going forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2938600"],"_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-6a2b59266a36a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Watkins, a rising sophomore at <em>Cheverus High School</em> in Maine, continues to prove to be one of the region's top athletes out of the Class of 2029. The 6'3" wing is a terror in transition, showing the ability to finish plays at the rim with athleticism and strength. He's done a nice job of playing to his strengths, while also showing off a jump shot that is looking more consistent with each passing month. He has good positional size, a strong frame, and a motor that never seems to turn off. Defensively, he can guard up and down a position and is an elite rebounder, both in space and in traffic. He's definitely one to keep an eye on over the next 18 or so months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2569689"],"_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-6a2b59266a422"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cornell, a rising junior at <em>Stonington High School</em> in Connecticut, has been a standout at multiple stops for <em>BCRI</em>. The 6'7" wing is incredibly long, which allows him to play bigger than his size on both ends of the floor. He's a capable perimeter shooter, but has started to impress with his willingness to play through contact in the paint. As he's added strength, his athleticism has started to pop and he's regularly finishing plays above the rim as a slasher. Defensively, there's a lot to like, as he's capable of guarding in space, does a nice job of reading passing lanes off the ball, and even offers some rim protection when coming from the help side. His recruitment should start to grow this summer and he has the chance to be a major stock riser over the next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2969386"],"_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-6a2b59266a4e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nicol, a rising junior at <em>Ellington High School</em> in Connecticut, may have increased his stock as much as anyone in the region this spring. A jumbo, decision-making guard, he has the ability to operate in a variety of ways in the half-court. He's got a smooth offensive game, doesn't get sped up with the ball in his hands, and uses his size to see over the defense as a passer. He scores it from all three levels and has more burst off the bounce than he gets credit for. His feel, decision-making, and pace all make him an attractive prospect at the next level. On the other end of the floor, his combination of size, length, and mobility should allow him to be a disruptive perimeter defender. In my eyes, he's a scholarship level prospect that will be popular with college coaches this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2571909"],"_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-6a2b59266a552"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ramos, a rising junior at <em>Central High School</em> in Rhode Island, is a familiar name in basketball circles throughout New England, after bursting onto the scene as a freshman. He falls a bit under the radar sometimes, but continues to add elements to his game and thus, raises his ceiling as a prospect. He's a crafty ball-handler that shows a good understanding of how to use ball screens and also how to create space off the bounce. He's one of the better mid-range scorers in this class, while also showing the ability to finish efficiently at the rim and from behind the three point line. Defensively, he's a tough on-ball defender with quick hands and quick feet. He's a scholarship level prospect that picked up his first Division I offer, from <strong><em>Iona</em></strong>, in May.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->