Summer Archetype Series: Tough Shot Makers

There are several different archetypes in basketball—glue guys, defensive anchors, defensive stoppers, table setters—the list goes on. For the rest of July, I'll be highlighting some of the players in New England who fit into those molds quite well.   Read: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/07/summer-archetype-series-sharpshooters/" id="https://prephoops.com/2026/07/summer-archetype-series-sharpshooters/">Summer Archetype Series: Sharpshooters</a>   Read: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/07/summer-archetype-series-glue-guys/" id="https://prephoops.com/2026/07/summer-archetype-series-glue-guys/">Summer Archetype Series: Glue Guys</a>   To continue on, let's look at some tough shot makers. These are guys who consistently hit tough shots over the defense.    If I'm being honest, I was skeptical that the tough shot-making Santos exhibited at Bridgewater-Raynham High School last season would translate well to the NEPSAC level. But the 6-foot-5 wing had an excellent couple of weekends with Vermont Academy at the NEPSAC Showcases and demonstrated the ability to make difficult shots over long and tall defenders, whether they were off the dribble or off the catch. He also dribbled the ball quite well against pressure and just generally handled the heightened intensity and speed of the game effortlessly, which is rare for a transfer who played MIAA basketball. Santos is going to play a legit role for Vermont Academy this season and will definitely be a highly sought after D3 recruit, with potential for scholarship looks if he performs exceptionally well this season.     I kept waiting for Johnson to cool off during the NEPSAC showcases, but it never seemed to happen. The undersized PG is 5-foot-11 on a good day, but he has an incredible knack for getting his shot off against the outstretched arm of longer and bigger defenders. He gets tons of elevation on his shot, and he can create a decent one literally whenever he wants. Johnson needs to refine his shot selection, but his ability to make difficult shots over the defense will really begin to shine when he's a go-to end of shot clock guy for Suffield Academy this upcoming season. Johnson is a very exciting player who will garner D3 looks but will look like a scholarship player at times given the difficulty of shots he can hit.     Balducci is the definition of a tough shot maker. He certainly can create easy looks for himself and gets his fair share of fastbreak layups, but the 6-foot guard really excels when you get a hand in his face and contest his shot. He's able to get into the defender's body and peel away for easy fadeaway looks, and he gets tons of elevation on his mid range pull up, which he hits super comfortably off the dribble. His footwork in small spaces is super fundamental, and he always knows what he has to do to get an extra couple inches of separation. Balducci is playing serious minutes for Expressions this summer and will be a key player for Loomis Chaffee this upcoming season.     Every time I watch Edmonds play, he hits difficult shots. The 6-foot-4 wing gets to his spots in the mid range and elevates without a care in the world—with his size, length, and high release point, it's very difficult to defend his pull up. But he's also an extremely talented finisher at the hoop and has a knack for finishing with contact in unconventional ways, whether it's with his left or right hand. He has special hangtime, and he never takes his eyes off the rim even when he's getting hit. Edmonds needs to slightly refine his shot selection to make himself more efficient, but he'll put up tons of points for Phillips Andover this season and will earn himself scholarship looks as a result.     For Dobson's size and physical profile, he moves extremely well and has an intriguing skillset. The 6-foot-6 wing is very strong-bodied and can bully his way to the rim, but he also loves to get to his pull up game in the mid range—many of his looks are contested, but he looks super comfortable taking them and hits them at a solid clip. Dobson seems like the type of kid whose game could come together quickly as he gets more playing experience with higher level players. He'll seemingly be a key piece for a Wilbraham and Monson squad looking to fill the void of a number of meaningful seniors who left.     Maxson has major game. The way he moves and handles the ball looks like he was meant to dribble the rock—he plays with a great rhythm and is supremely comfortable using his off-hand to shuck off defenders on his way to the paint. Once he gets to the rim, he does an amazing job using crafty footwork to find small holes within the defense to get his floaters and layup attempts off. He finishes super well with contact, and he's tough as nails when it comes to falling on the ground but still being willing to take it into the heart of the defense again. Maxson can shoot the ball well from three, too, despite having a unique release. He'll be a major player for Tilton this season and will probably be right on the scholarship border, but it's too early to say.     Njenga is as steady as they come, but he can really get going for you offensively if he needs to. He's normally content to get the offense moving and play a facilitator role, but if he has a mismatch, he's a lethal driver to the rim and an extremely talented finisher at the hoop. He has soft touch off the glass even when he's moving at super high speeds, and he takes contact well despite his slight frame. Njenga will be St. George's starting point guard this season and will showcase some tough shot making skills throughout the season.

There are several different archetypes in basketball—glue guys, defensive anchors, defensive stoppers, table setters—the list goes on. For the rest of July, I'll be highlighting some of the players in New England who fit into those molds quite well.