The Lost Files: NEPSAC Showcase Stoppers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our <em>Lost Files</em> series introduces articles that got lost in the shuffle this summer and provides us with a chance to wrap up coverage of a few of the region's most important events.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we'll start the <em>Lost Files</em> with a look at the <em>NEPSAC Showcase</em> - specifically, a look at the event's standout defenders, the <em>Stoppers</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are five prospects that impacted games to an extreme on the defensive end of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2960045"],"_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-6abac8d9e8bad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Odutayo, a forward out of the <em>Pomfret School</em> in Connecticut, made his presence felt over and over again around the rim. The 6'9" forward has terrific length, good positional size, and excellent mobility for a forward. He's quick to get off the floor and does a terrific job of timing up his shot blocking attempts. He covers ground quickly, particularly when coming over from the help side and is capable of defending on the perimeter in switches. Beyond that, his athletic gifts allow him to rebound it at a high level both in space and in traffic. Any list of the region's top shot blockers needs to have his name on it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470939"],"_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-6abac8d9e8bec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">White, a guard out of the <em>Buckingham Browne &amp; Nichols School</em> in Massachusetts, has to be accounted for by the offense at all times and probably avoided too. The 5'10" guard has incredibly quick hands, terrific instincts, and a nose for the basketball. He reads plays before they develop, has terrific burst into passing lanes, and is capable of playing bigger than his size due to his athletic gifts. His lateral quickness allows him to keep opponents in front of him on the perimeter and he's one of the few prospects who can really defend on the ball for the entire length of the floor. There might not be a prospect in New England that generates more steals this winter than White.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2689486"],"_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-6abac8d9e8c21"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Parris, a guard out of the <em>South Kent School</em> in Connecticut, put himself on the map as one of the most versatile perimeter defenders around. A big guard at 6'5", Parris has the ability to defend any of the three perimeter positions with his combination of size, length, athleticism, and strength. He's capable of taking on tough matchups and also shows plus instincts off the ball, leading to his ability to create turnovers at a high clip. He covers grounds quickly and has really good instincts off the ball in the press. On top of all that, he does a nice job of rebounding out of the guard spot. He'll have the chance this winter to cement his status as one of the top lockdown guys in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2553788"],"_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-6abac8d9e8c42"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wilson, a guard out of <em>Choate Rosemary Hall</em> in Connecticut, plays with a nice combination of instincts, mobility, and strength on the defensive end of the floor. The 6'1" guard looks like a linebacker on the basketball court, but moves with fluidity that allows him to defend guards and wings. He forces opponents off their driving lines, plugs gaps off the ball, and does a nice job of forcing opponents into tough, contested shots. He's a physical rebounder from the guard spot and with his strength, is able to defend large opponents in the paint when needed. Guards won't be happy to see his name on the opposing team's scouting report this season.</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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abac8d9e8c61"} --> <!-- 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, has maybe the best combination of competitiveness, instincts, and toughness of any guard in New England on the defensive end of the floor. The 5'10" guard makes life miserable for opposing guards that have to bring the ball up against his pressure. Off the ball, he has terrific instincts in passing lanes and utilizes his burst to make plays on loose balls. As far as guards go, he has a terrific motor and plays with a ton of toughness on the defensive end of the floor. No player in the region turns defense into transition offense as quickly as Faison can, which is a game changing skill for him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>*Faison played with Putnam Science Academy (now Woodstock Academy) during the NEPSAC Showcase, but will again compete for the Winchendon School</em> <em>this season</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To wrap up <em>NEPSAC Showcase</em> coverage, we'll take a look at the standout <em>Shooters</em> and offer up our event <em>Superlatives</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->