NEPSAC Showcase Standouts: Creators

Our NEPSAC Showcase Standouts series continues today with a look at the Creators - guards that thrived with the ball in their hands, making plays for themselves and others and creating scoring opportunity after scoring opportunity for their teams.   This group was as fun to watch as any in Worcester, showing the ability to consistently get where they wanted off the bounce, to score it in a variety of ways, and to make those around them better.   Here are five Creators that caught our attention at the NEPSAC Showcase:    Cantave, a rising junior from the St. George's School in Rhode Island, was in constant attack mode over the weekend, showcasing his playmaking skill in the open floor and his ability to score it in multiple ways around the rim. The lefty has good positional size, plus length, and nice burst off the bounce. He plays with some wiggle off the bounce, does a nice job of manipulating the defense when operating in ball screens, and knows how to draw fouls when he gets into the paint. He's an instinctive defender that makes plays on the ball and in passing lanes and is capable of quickly converting defense into transition scoring opportunities. He's a definite scholarship prospect with plenty of Division I interest.     Perri, a rising junior from Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire, is a heady lead guard that continues to improve on his ability to run an offense. A coach's son, he has a great understanding of the game, knows how to get to his spots off the bounce, and has evolved as a decision maker in the half-court over the last year. He still shows some creativity as a scorer around the rim and is a consistent shooter from behind the arc. Defensively, he's good at the point of attack, sits in a stance and works to stay in front of the ball, and understands angles in rotation. He was really good with the Mass Rivals this summer and will be on scholarship watch going forward.     Wiggins, a rising senior from the Westminster School in Connecticut, is a crafty ball-handler that has really taken his game to another level in recent months. He does a nice job of playing off of jab steps, has some real wiggle off the bounce, and is slippery when attacking the rim. He's a plus athlete that's capable of scoring over size and knocks down shots with deep range from behind the arc. He makes his teammates better with his decision making, delivers passes on time and on target, and is a tough defender that limits paint touches for opponents. He plays like a scholarship level prospect and should be on the radar of low-major Divison I programs.     Avery, a rising senior from Austin Preparatory School in Massachusetts, showed the intangibles that have long made him a high level prospect in New England. He plays with toughness on both ends of the floor, competes at a high level, and is all about winning basketball games. He does a great job of changing his speeds off the bounce, is shifty when changing directions in the half-court, and has a ton of creativity as a finisher around the rim. He makes shots from behind the arc in catch and shoot situations, as well as off the bounce. Defensively, he rebounds bigger than his size and isn't afraid to take on tough matchups. High academic D3s have prioritized him as a recruit, but he could play his way to the scholarship level.     Ayala, a rising senior from Milton Academy in Massachusetts, was as good as any guard in the building over the course of the weekend. A jumbo creator, the 6'5" lefty plays with a combination of athleticism, savy, and strength that few prospects can match. He's a tough cover off the bounce, particularly when he gets downhill, and has shown some improved floor vision recently. While he does a lot well on the offensive end of the floor, it's his effort on the defensive end that gives him a high ceiling. He can guard any perimeter spot, rebounds it in traffic, and is disruptive both on the ball and in passing lanes. In the weeks since the showcase, he's picked up offers from UMass Lowell, Tennessee Tech, UMass, and Quinnipiac.    Our NEPSAC Showcase Standouts series will continue tomorrow with a look at the Athletes.

Our NEPSAC Showcase Standouts series continues today with a look at the Creators - guards that thrived with the ball in their hands, making plays for themselves and others and creating scoring opportunity after scoring opportunity for their teams.