New England Commitment Catch-Up (09/17)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we'll continue our <em>Commitment Catch-Up</em> series with another set of prospects from New England that recently came off the board.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second set of commitments we'll highlight includes - a stock riser heading to the high-major level, a top rated recruit picking a local program, and another program laying the foundation for a strong class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are six more prospects that recently announced their college commitments:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1962882"],"_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-6a9f25dbd01fb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Robertson, a guard out of <em>Masters Academy International</em> in Massachusetts, announced his future plans with a commitment to <strong><em>Merrimack College</em></strong>. A big scoring guard, Robertson is able to get it done at all three levels, showing a good feel for the game with the ball in his hands and as an off-ball mover. He can get by the initial defender off the bounce, finishes creatively over size around the rim, and consistently knocks down perimeter jumpers. He's competitive defensively, does a nice job of moving his feet laterally, and is able to create steals and deflections at a high clip. He's <strong><em>Merrimack's</em></strong> highest rated commit of the internet era and has a chance to be an impact player from Day 1 in the <em>METRO</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2341348"],"_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-6a9f25dbd0293"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Booth, a forward out of <em>Milton Academy</em> in Massachusetts, came off the board when he announced his commitment to the <strong><em>College of the Holy Cross</em></strong>. The 6'10" forward has come on strong over the last year as he's built up his body and found a way to turn on his motor consistently. He does a nice job of rebounding on both ends of the floor, plays tough post defense, and continues to show signs of the ability to space the floor as a shooter. He does well rolling out of screens, knows how to play with his back to the basket, and is becoming more and more vocal on the defensive end of the floor. He gives <strong><em>Holy Cross</em></strong> a local big that they can build around for the future and profiles as a four-year impact player in the <em>Patriot League</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2568341"],"_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-6a9f25dbd02f8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Newsom, a guard out of the <em>St. Luke's School</em> in Connecticut, wrapped up his recruitment with a commitment to the <strong><em>College of William &amp; Mary</em></strong>. A 6'4" guard, Newsom took his game to another level this summer, showing a varied skillset and winning mentality. He's big, strong, and physical, but also impresses with his vertical athleticism. He can score it through contact, creates off the bounce, and has the ability to make shots from behind the arc. Defensively, he can really sit in a stance and compete at the point of attack, while also showing the ability to make his presence felt on the glass. Newsom is a terrific recruiting get for <strong><em>William &amp; Mary</em></strong> and should surprise people with how quickly he adapts to life in the <em>CAA</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2959192"],"_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-6a9f25dbd0350"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Donohue, a wing out of the <em>Newman School</em> in Massachusetts, put an end to his recruitment when he committed to <strong><em>Syracuse University</em></strong>. A 6'7" wing that can really shoot the basketball, Donohue has proven to be one of the region's best floor spacers. He does a great job of moving without the ball and using screens to get open, and has started to leverage his shooting to open up driving lanes. He's a willing ball mover that gets off it quickly and rarely turns it over. Defensively, he has the size to guard forwards and is mobile even to defend wings in space. Donohue is a nice local get for <strong><em>Syracuse</em></strong> that has fought through some adversity to get where he is now, don't bet against him find his way onto the floor in the <em>ACC</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3407594"],"_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-6a9f25dbd03ac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Faison, a guard out of the <em>Winchendon School</em> in Massachusetts, finalized his future plans with a commitment to the <strong><em>University of Albany</em></strong>. A terror on the defensive end of the floor, Faison might be the best point of attack defender in New England. He has elite foot quickness that allows him to hound opposing guards and good instincts off the ball in passing lanes, both of which allow him to create turnovers and then utilize his speed in transition. He's hard to guard in space, finishes in a variety of ways around the rim, and does a nice job of creating space off the bounce to get his shot off. Faison is a major get for <em><strong>Albany</strong></em> and should be in the mix for all-league honors down the road in the <em>America East</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470946"],"_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-6a9f25dbd03fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Payne, a guard out of the <em>Brimmer &amp; May School</em> in Massachusetts, ended his recruitment with a commitment to the <strong><em>College of the Holy Cross</em></strong>. Long known as one of the better guards in the area, Payne has developed his all-around game impressively over the last year. More than just a scorer, he's capable of plugging gaps as a decision maker, shot maker, or lockdown defender. One of his best attributes is his winning mentality and his ability to find different ways to impact winning each time he takes the floor. This is a great pick up for <strong><em>Holy Cross</em></strong>, as Payne has the ability to develop into one of the top guards in the <em>Patriot League</em> over time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tomorrow, we'll share <em>Part III</em> of the early September <em>Commitment Catch-Up</em> series!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->