Team Preview: Cushing Academy

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's NEPSAC preview season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I got a chance to watch Cushing Academy both this summer and at open gyms this fall, as well as seeing tons of their individual players during the AAU season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are some guys who should make an impact this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2867280"],"_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-6ae3a98ce74cf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Prince does so many things on the basketball floor and is going to be a massive part of what Cushing does this year. The 6-foot-6 point-forward can handle the ball and be a true floor-general—he makes nice reads in the pick-and-roll and can easily see over the defense with his size—but he also has good athleticism at the rim and can hit mid-range shots or floaters with his touch. Off the ball, the senior can hit shots from three and is a talented cutter. Prince is going to take the NEPSAC by storm this year and potentially be Cushing Academy's best player on the offensive end. He's committed to Colgate next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2696745"],"_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-6ae3a98ce752b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brigham is an electric combo-guard who is more than ready to play at an extremely high level in the NEPSAC. The 6-foot-3 guard has big-time athleticism and quickness, but he does a great job changing speeds and knows how to set the defense up with his body and feel. He can shoot the three ball, he gets tons of elevation on his mid-range shot, and he can pass it. Defensively, he does a great job in the passing lanes and makes really excellent instinctual swipe-downs and steal attempts. Brigham should continue getting scholarship offers once D1 coaches realize he can comfortably play at this level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470818"],"_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-6ae3a98ce7573"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When I watched Cushing Academy's open gym footage this fall, one thing was clear: Vick is the best shooter on this team and one of the best shooters in the entire region. In terms of flying off screens and hitting shots with contests and without much time or space, there may be nobody better. Additionally, the 6-foot-4 guard can make shots from very long range and is also a good passer and decision-maker once he gets into the lane as a result of all of the attention he gets on the perimeter. Vick is committed to Detroit-Mercy and could play there right away next season with his shooting ability. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2568504"],"_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-6ae3a98ce75ba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Charlot is an electric athlete and does a great job setting the table for his teammates. He can get to the rim off the bounce and effectively sees shooters and cutters. His outside shot is a work in progress, but I think it could improve with the number of catch-and-shoot opportunities he should have this season considering all of the talented guards Cushing has. Charlot also defends his behind off and is a total nuisance to go against for opposing ball-handlers. Tough kid who should only get better playing at this level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3140436"],"_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-6ae3a98ce75ff"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Broko is brimming with potential. The 6-foot-8 forward moves extremely well for his size and age and has a knack for using his strength and coordination in the post—he has good footwork and hands, and he knows how to use his body. The sophomore can also step out and knock down open threes and is a good screener and roller. It's rare to see an underclassmen at his size (both height and strength-wise) be able to move so fluidly, and that bodes quite well for his development and recruitment down the road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2868674"],"_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-6ae3a98ce7643"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blenman is currently nursing a stress fracture in his foot, so It's unclear whether he'll be ready to go for the start of the season. That being said, the 6-foot-8 big man would certainly help out Cushing in their front-court. The senior has excellent strength and center of gravity in the post, so he's tough to keep off the block and always finds a way to catch it where he wants. Once he does, he does a good job feeling the defense and knowing which way to drop-step or spin, so he's very solid as a traditional post-up player. I could see mid-major programs getting more involved with Blenman if he proves he can stay healthy and run the floor like a madman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470887"],"_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-6ae3a98ce7685"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Like Blenman, Erickson is nursing an injury that he should be able to come back from shortly. The 6-foot-6 forward has excellent athleticism and is a well-rounded offensive player. He can make shots from three, he's an effective closeout attacker, and he makes solid reads in the paint. Defensively, his size and strength allows him to guard numerous positions and be very switchable. I haven't seen Erickson play in a long time because of his injury, but he could remind the NEPSAC what a great player he is in the coming months. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2341311"],"_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-6ae3a98ce76c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mark is awesome. He's a leader on the floor, he plays with great joy, and he knows his role. The 7-footer has improved his hands and caught a number of super impressive lobs during the open gym sessions I watched this month, but he also protects the rim defensively and is in good enough shape to run the floor consistently. He sets crushing screens offensively and provides gravity for his shooters on the perimeter with his size at the rim, and he can also run the DHO game with all of the talented guards he has on his squad. Mark is committed to Army next season but will be an important part of one of the best front-courts in the NEPSAC this season at Cushing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->