Team Preview: CATS Academy

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's NEPSAC Team Preview season!!! What a time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up is CATS Academy, who has tons of heavy hitting D1 prospects in the fold and a new coaching staff this season. I got a chance to watch the team together this summer and more recently at fall open gyms, but I've also seen a bunch of these guys throughout their AAU seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are 7 players who should make an impact this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2553506"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aae82ad66189"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bol Meen returns to CATS and projects as one of their better front-court players. The 6-foot-9 senior brings great size and length, so he's disruptive on the defensive end and helps out on the offensive and defensive boards. Offensively, he's one of CATS' better outside shooters, and he's able to do so off of movement and off the dribble, so he's a matchup nightmare for opposing wings. At CATS' open gym this week, I was really impressed with his motor and willingness to do the little things, especially given his offensive skillset. He has a bright future ahead and should wrack up the D1 offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2875390"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aae82ad661f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lee is extremely intriguing as a long term prospect and rivals Bol Meen as potentially the best shooter on the squad. The 6-foot-5 combo-guard has awesome length, and he has a really beautiful outside shot—at this week's open gym, I was very impressed with his shotmaking from the perimeter. Lee comes from Georgia and should get some minutes right away for CATS, even though he's only a junior. With some added weight, he could be a different player in a couple of years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2254306"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aae82ad6623f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hill is electric with the basketball in his hands. The 5-foot-8 guard is lightning-quick, has a phenomenal handle, and makes great decisions with the ball. He's impossible to pressure because of his explosive first-step, and he makes live-dribble one-handed passes in his sleep. The outside shot is still coming along in terms of its consistency, but it can look really solid at times. Defensively, he pressures the ball like his life depends on it and has phenomenal lateral quickness. I would expect Hill to be CATS' starting point guard this season and make waves in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Marcelin Mukendi","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"CATS Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aae82ad662ff"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mukendi has an extremely well-built upper body and really impressed me this week at open gym. The 6-foot-5 wing completely bodies opponents on drives to the rim and has an excellent motor for offensive rebounds and running the floor. But he also handles the ball well for his size and makes heady reads in the paint once the defense collapses. He even hit some shots from the perimeter, showcasing a true all-around offensive arsenal. I would be shocked if he doesn't play his way into minutes this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Fynn Rieck","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"CATS Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aae82ad6640a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rieck looks like a high major basketball player. The 6-foot-7 forward is built like an ox, runs the floor like a deer, and has offensive skills. He can make outside shots, but he also handles the ball well for his size and has some feel for the game. Defensively, he's extremely versatile because of his combination of quick feet, size, and length, and he really wants to compete on that end. Rieck is an intriguing junior who should get some time this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3695170"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aae82ad664b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kandji looks like a different player compared to last season. The 6-foot-11 center is in way better shape, is running the floor far more consistently, and looks more poised on both ends of the floor. He had a number of impressive put-back finishes in this week's open gym, and he set crushing screens and opened up the floor with his rolling gravity. Kandji's hands have improved, too, which makes him a bigger threat out of the pick and roll and in the dunker spot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2848710"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aae82ad664fd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wunrok has tantalizing physical tools. The 6-foot-11 center has ridiculously long arms, and he knows how to use them. At this week's open gym, the senior probably led the team in blocked shots and made some insane finishes in the lane, including one up-fake and lefty touch shot that shocked me. Wunrok is definitely still a work in progress and has some rawness to him, but the potential is through the roof.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->