NEPSAC Showcase Standouts: Versatility

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wrap up coverage of the <em>NEPSAC Showcase</em> continues as we near the end of the summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While plenty of prospects stood out at the event, today we're going to take a look at five prospects that caught our eye with their <em>versatility</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3035521"],"_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-6a91c21cda093"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mojica, a forward out of the <em>Masters School</em> in New York, was one of the event's major stock risers! A breakout performer this summer, he used his performance at the showcase to emerge as a <em>Top 150</em> prospect and secure offers from programs like <strong><em>West Virginia</em></strong>, <strong><em>Virginia Tech</em></strong>, <strong><em>Wake Forest</em></strong>, <strong><em>Syracuse</em></strong>, <strong><em>Purdue</em></strong>, and <strong><em>Oklahoma State</em></strong>. At 6'8", Mojica has broad shoulders and a big frame, that he uses to his advantage in the paint as both a finisher and wall up defender. He's a tough rebounder that knows how to carve out space and has advanced footwork with his back to the basket. He's a sneaky athlete that has good vertical bounce, which allows him to protect the rim on one end and to challenge defenders above the rim on the other. He scores it at multiple levels and is a high IQ decision maker with the ball in his hands in the open floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2594613"],"_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-6a91c21cda0f6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Swartz, a guard out of the <em>New Hampton School</em> in New Hampshire, made his first appearance with his new team at the showcase. The <em>NHIAA</em> Player of the Year last winter, Swartz is a 6'5" guard that can do a little bit of everything on the court. He's a capable ball handler that doesn't get sped up against pressure and uses his size as a passer to see over the defense. He's a plus athlete and has the strength to play through contact around the rim, while also continuing to develop as a perimeter shooter. Defensively, he has the ability to guard four positions and is an elite rebounder from the guard spot. After the event, he picked up new offers from <strong><em>Maryland</em></strong> and <strong><em>Providence</em></strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3695171"],"_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-6a91c21cda140"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tomori, a forward out of the <em>Taft School</em> in Connecticut, impressed on both ends of the floor in this setting. The 6'8" forward has a reported 7'1" wingspan and makes this list for his defensive abilities. An impressive athlete that plays with a high motor, he has the mobility needed to guard on the perimeter in switches and the burst and instincts to be an elite rim protector. His length, athleticism, mobility, and agility all factor into his versatility on that end of the floor. A tough, two-way rebounder, he does a great job of crashing the offensive glass, has improved as a scorer with his back to the basket, and can finish with authority when he gets an open runway to the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2689496"],"_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-6a91c21cda194"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Abdulrahman, a forward out of <em>Mount Saint Charles Academy</em> in Rhode Island, showed off an improved perimeter game against high level competition. The 6'7" forward has long impressed with his athleticism, physicality, and motor, however, it was his improved offensive game that stood out in this setting. Always able to impact the game around the basket, he's now making threes consistently and attack defenders off the bounce. With the development of his perimeter game on the offensive end of the floor, he's becoming more of a hybrid forward and one of the more well-rounded, two-way prospects in the region. Scholarship level programs have taken notice with spring and summer offers from <strong><em>UT Arlington</em></strong>, <strong><em>UAB</em></strong>, and <strong><em>Wagner</em></strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470919"],"_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-6a91c21cda1e1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lolonga, a guard out of <em>Mount Saint Charles Academy</em> in Rhode Island, displayed his trademark toughness and versatility all weekend long. The 6'4" lefty plays with elite athleticism, a solid two-way motor, and the physicality needed to defend at a high level on the perimeter and in the paint. Defensively, he'll take on any challenge that he's asked to and shows the ability to guard ball-handlers at the point of attack and big men on the block from possession to possession. He's hard to guard in the open floor, showing the ability to attack the rim with the ball in his hands or to finish with athleticism as a cutter. What really raises his ceiling is the evolution of his on-ball decision making and improved three point shot. He's a true scholarship level prospect that seems to be flying a bit under the radar at this point in time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Still left in our standouts series - the <em>stoppers</em>, the <em>shooters</em>, and our event <em>superlatives</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->