NEPSAC Big Board: Wing Handlers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up in our <em>NEPSAC Big Board</em> series are the <em>Wing Handlers</em>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The <em>Wing Handlers</em> are prospects that make a lot of offensive decisions with the ball in their hands. They can play with their back to the basket, make reads out of ball screens, operate as grab and go rebounders, and most often, function as primary on-ball creators.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>NBA Player Comp: Scottie Barnes</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2638999"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68ace3f94bdec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Morillo, one of the nation's top prospects, impressed in a variety of settings this summer after a strong prep season last winter. The <em>Newman School</em> wing has the ball in his hands often on the offensive end of the floor and profiles as more of a jumbo guard than he does a wing. He's got some defensively versatility, due to his size and IQ, plus the ability to rebound and go. Offensively, it's his feel for the game that stands out, as well as his pace and ability to change speeds. He's a quality, multi-level scorer that does a great job of making reads in the half-court, leading to easy baskets for his teammates. A <em>Top 50</em> recruit nationally, he recently cut his recruitment to a final six that includes <strong><em>Illinois</em></strong>, <strong><em>Marquette</em></strong>, <strong><em>Minnesota</em></strong>, <strong><em>Texas</em></strong>, <strong><em>UCLA</em></strong>, and <strong><em>Virginia</em></strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2875628"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68ace3f94be5d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Waddles was a standout performer during the scholastic period, taking the opportunity to announce his presence in the region. The <em>New Hampton</em> wing is an ultra-versatile defender that plays with terrific effort on that end of the floor and really shines as someone who can take the ball off the defensive backboard and start the break in transition. He's got quality size on the wing and is another prospect that doesn't get sped up, showing a good feel for playing at different speeds in ball screens, and the ability to score it at multiple levels. He continues to evolve as a playmaker and profiles as a prospect that will be able to operate as a secondary ball-handler and decision maker at the next level. <strong><em>Maine</em></strong> offered coming out of the scholastic period and I'd bet they won't be the last school to do so this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2878537"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68ace3f94beb8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Maloney comes into New England with a big reputation and the ability to impact a game in a variety of ways. The <em>Newman School</em> wing can really shoot it and also does a nice job of attacking the offensive glass. He's really come along though as someone who can handle the ball against pressure and make decisions in the half-court. He does a nice job of attacking the paint off the bounce and is particularly adept at playing off of his pivot foot. He uses his size to see over the defense and has the ability to make some impressive passes out of ball screens. The junior holds offers from <strong><em>Albany</em></strong>, <strong><em>Drexel</em></strong>, <strong><em>Le Moyne</em></strong>, <strong><em>Penn State</em></strong>, <strong><em>Siena</em></strong>, and <strong><em>Yale</em></strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2568514"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68ace3f94bf11"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dobson built on a strong high school season by performing well at multiple events with <em>The House We Built</em>. The <em>Wilbraham &amp; Monson</em> wing was one of the better underclassmen in the MIAA last winter and should be able to transition nicely to the NEPSAC as he's a high IQ prospect that plays at his own speed, makes good decisions with the ball, and knows how to make winning plays. He can operate with his back to the basket and does a nice job of passing out of the block to open shooters. He's a versatile prospect that has expanded his game to the perimeter and does a nice job of using his frame to his advantage to get by the initial defender. On top of that, he impresses with his ability to make decisions out of DHO actions and to be a handler or screener in ball screens.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2571904"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68ace3f94bf68"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McGrath had one of the more impressive freshman seasons in recent memory last winter and will look to do it again after transferring and reclassifying this summer. The <em>Thayer Academy</em> forward has been terrific for Ireland's U16MNT team during the FIBA Youth EuroBasket tournament, including one game of 28 points and 17 rebounds. The lefty is pushing 6'8", is a terrific athlete, and plays with an aggressive mindset on the offensive end of the floor. He's a strong rebounder that has the ability to take the ball off the rim and intiate the break himself. He gets downhill off the bounce and is particularly effective with the ball in his hands at the top of the key, where he can go get his own or draw double teams and kick it out to shooters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye out for our next <em>NEPSAC Big Board</em> article on <em>Stretch Bigs</em>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->