Post-Grad Breakout Candidates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each year, dozens of prospects head to New England to continue their high school careers by taking on a post-graduate season at one of the region's prep schools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Without fail, many of these prospects use the year to bolster their recruitments and to find the right fit to continue their athletic and academic careers at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we'll highlight five prospects from throughout New England that are in line to do just that this winter - enhancing their recruitment through their play on the court!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2522553"],"_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-6ad917e6d4959"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Welker, a forward out of <em>Florida</em>, will play this season at <em>Masters Academy International</em>. The 6'8" lefty is a versatile prospect that has some inside-out tools on the offensive end of the floor. He's an impressive athlete that plays above the rim when he has a runway, can get to the basket off the bounce, and continues to show signs of improving as a perimeter shooter. He's a tough cover in the open floor, uses his length to his advantage defensively, and has plus mobility that allows him to guard in space. <strong><em>Iona</em></strong> recently became the first program to extend an offer and with his upward trajectory, they won't be the last.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3693242"],"_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-6ad917e6d4993"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Eagles, a guard out of <em>New York</em>, will play this season at <em>Phillips Exeter Academy</em>. The 6'3" guard has a college ready frame and plays with terrific body control as a downhill driver. He's able to get to the rim off the bounce where he finishes through contact with strength, does a nice job of knocking down catch and shoot jumpers, and is a terrific off-ball cutter. On the other end of the floor, he can guard any spot on the perimeter, knows how to play angles, and rebounds it at a high level in traffic. The high academic prospect should have plenty of quality D3 programs in pursuit and could play his way into scholarship opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2566486"],"_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-6ae932e534075"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gill, a guard out of <em>Connecticut</em>, will play this season at <em>Bridgton Academy</em>. The 6'3" guard has some wiggle off the bounce and has proven to be a capable shot creator late in the clock. He makes tough shots in the mid-range, finishes with some creativity around the rim, and has range out beyond the three point arc. He makes good decisions with the ball in his hands, is a versatile defender with good positional size, and does a nice job of anticipating plays in passing lanes. He has tons of intangibles and will help a program at the next level win plenty of games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2955171"],"_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-6ae935a07be40"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Maiwen, a guard out of <em>Maine</em>, will play this season at the <em>MacDuffie School</em>. The 6'2" guard is a high level athlete that plays with great burst when attacking the rim off the bounce. He's capable of scoring over size in the paint and has really come a long way with his jumper. He's got some creativity with the ball in his hands in the open floor and shows good floor vision when playing out of ball screens. He has the physical tools needed to be a terrific perimeter defender and can create turnovers at a high clip. His brother, <strong><em>Diing Maiwen</em></strong>, turned a post-graduate year into a scholarship opportunity - it wouldn't be surprising to see Akol do the same.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2709267"],"_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-6ae935a07be8d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Minlend, a wing out of <em>North Carolina</em>, will play this season at <em>Brewster Academy</em>. The 6'7" wing is one of the better athletes in the region and does a terrific job of utilizing his physical tools around the rim. He plays with a quick first step, knows how to move without the basketball, and has the ability to break down defenders off the bounce in isolation situations. On the other end of the floor, he can guard four positions, makes plays in passing lanes, and can really defend in space. He's a surefire Division I prospect that should only continue to see his recruitment rise this winter.</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-6ae935a07bed2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Olafisoye, a forward out of <em>California</em>, will play this season at the <em>New Hampton School</em>. The 6'8" forward plays with a nice combination of athleticism, physicality, skill, and toughness. He's a tough cover for opposing forwards due to his quick first step and quality footwork in the paint. He plays with strength as a finisher, can create space off the bounce, and makes tough shots in the mid-range. Defensively, he defends in the paint without fouling and can really rebound the basketball, both in space and in traffic. He picked up a recent offer from <strong><em>Gardner-Webb</em></strong> and should continue to gain scholarship level interest this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->