The Lost Files: NEPSAC Showcase Shooters

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, the <em>Lost Files</em> continues with another look at the <em>NEPSAC Showcase</em>, this time providing us a chance to look at the events standout <em>Shooters</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below, we'll take a look at five prospects that caught our attention with their shot-making in Worcester.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2568447"],"_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-6abac777b96c9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thornton, a guard out of the <em>Brimmer &amp; May School</em> in Massachusetts, was on a heater all weekend long. The 6'1" guard proved to have some real shot creation ability with the ball in his hands and in-the-gym range on his jumper. He showed the ability to break down opponents off the bounce in isolations, to create space to get his shot off, and to make contested shots late in the clock. Without the ball, he did a nice job of sliding into passing windows and was consistently shot ready on the catch. As far as instant offense goes, few in the gym could match his ability to get hot in a hurry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470933"],"_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-6abac777b97c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Noel, a forward out of <em>Milton Academy</em> in Massachusetts, left Worcester as one of the weekend's biggest stock risers. The 6'7" forward knocked down shots in bunches and seemed to grow more confident in his game with each shot that went through the net. He did a nice job of operating as a screen-and-pop guy, had a quick release on his jumper off the catch, and was able to leverage his shooting to open up driving lanes. He made a name for himself as a clutch shot maker last winter and it looks like he's ready to continue building on that reputation going forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2883055"],"_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-6abac777b98ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">O'Connell, a guard out of the <em>New Hampton School</em> in New Hampshire, looks ready to break out at this level with his ability to knock down shots off of dribble penetration by his teammates. The 6'5" guard is a good athlete that elevates into his jumper, allowing him to get it off against almost any opponent. He's quickly developed nice chemistry with <em>New Hampton's</em> lead ball-handlers and should thrive off their ability to get paint touches and then spray it out to the perimeter. Opponents have to respect his athleticism and ability to make plays off the bounce, which should only enhance his perimeter shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2571905"],"_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-6abac777b99bd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nunes, a guard out of <em>Austin Preparatory School</em> in Massachusetts, continued to impress with his shot making and shot creation ability. One of last year's biggest stock risers, he is really good both in the mid-range and from behind the arc. He can get to his spots off the bounce and because he has good positional size, shows the ability to make shots over defenders at multiple levels. He knows how to create space off the bounce and also how to use screens to his advantage to get open on the perimeter. It looks like he's ready to cement his status as one of the region's top perimeter scorers this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3695178"],"_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-6abac777b9a12"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Muhammad, a wing out of the <em>Loomis Chaffee School</em> in Connecticut, was a breakout performer at the event and stood out with his ability to get hot in a hurry from behind the arc. He has terrific positional size, plus length, and plays with above the rim athleticism. Those attributes force opponents to respect all facets of his game, which helps to create space for him on the perimeter. He's a fluid mover that is consistently shot ready on the catch and does a nice job of getting into his shot off one or two dribbles. He should continue to turn heads this winter and should see his recruitment rise because of his ability to consistently score from the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>NEPSAC Showcase</em> coverage wraps up tomorrow with a look at the event's <em>Superlatives</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->