Team Preview: New Hampton School

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's NEPSAC preview season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I got a chance to watch New Hampton School 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":["2878905"],"_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-6ae1111b9fe53"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Merritt will run the show for New Hampton this season, and he's quite electric with the basketball in his hands. The wiry 6-foot-3 guard has the ball on a string and changes his speed so effectively, making him extremely difficult to stay in front of at the point of attack. His outside and mid-range shot can come and go, but it has improved and will continue to be an increasingly important part of his offensive game. Most impressive are some of the ways he gets into the lane with his handle before rising up and finishing athletically with either hand. Merritt is committed to Buffalo next season, and I could see him getting time right away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2969338"],"_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-6ae1111b9feb7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Clarke is a physical specimen with tantalizing potential. The 6-foot-7 sophomore has exceptional size and strength, and he really knows how to use his body on both the perimeter and in the paint. He can post up and use good footwork and touch around the rim, but he also has a surprisingly effective handle on the outside, which he likes to go to if he's being guarded by slow-footed bigs. Defensively, he has great instincts and uses his length and athleticism to block shots at the basket. Clarke is going to be one of the better underclassmen in the entire NEPSAC this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2594613"],"_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-6ae1111b9ff07"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Swartz is going to walk right into NEPSAC play and be effective immediately. The 6-foot-5 wing has a great motor, and he can do tons of different things on the floor. He's able to knock down threes, but he also drives closeouts quite well and can finish with contact and touch around the rim. Without the ball, the junior has incredible cutting instincts and is also a lethal crasher on the offensive glass. Swartz has high-major recruitment and will get even more offers if he has a good year for New Hampton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3673741"],"_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-6ae1111b9ff53"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Like Clarke, Olafisoye has extremely impressive physical tools. He has exceptional strength, and he's able to use it to bully opposing defenders under the rim for easy finishes and dunks. The 6-foot-7 forward also handles the ball well for his size and has some really intriguing passing vision, especially when he's able to see over the defense and utilize his length. Olafisoye is a definite D1 prospect and could see his recruitment pick up majorly if he has an effective year for New Hampton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1863191"],"_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-6ae1111b9ffa6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chrisofilis is extremely skilled and has major feel offensively. The 6-foot-2 CG is a knock-down shooter from three, and he can make shots off the dribble or off the catch. With the ball in his hands, the Seattle native is effective in the pick-and-roll and does a great job making reads once he touches the paint—at open gym this month, the senior made a number of very nice passes for layups and threes. Christofilis is very versatile offensively and will get minutes because of his ability to play with and without the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2089550"],"_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-6ae1111b9fff2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2089550' first='Brennan' last='Williams'] is built for scholarship basketball. The 6-foot-6 wing is tall, long, and skilled offensively. He can shoot threes, he can attack closeouts and handle on-ball pressure when needed, and he can finish in the paint with great athleticism. He knows how to cut, but he also knows how to play with the ball in his hands, which makes him very versatile on that end of the floor. Defensively, the post-grad can guard a number of positions and knows how to use his athletic tools on that end. I don't see any offers posted on Williams' socials, but he's a definite scholarship prospect to me. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2832763"],"_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-6ae1111ba0039"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McCauley has a special motor and effort level. The 6-foot-7 forward attacks every single rebound opportunity on both ends of the floor, goes hard for every loose ball, and makes multiple efforts defensively on every possession. Offensively, he sets hard screens and knows where his strengths and weaknesses are. McCauley has some guys ahead of him on the depth chart if I had to guess, but he's a coach's dream and might force his way onto the court because of the fight he plays with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->