New England Commitment Catch-Up (09/12)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's that time of year - the time that college prospects start announcing their commitments for next season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the time of this writing, 13 of our <em>Top 50</em> prospects have finalized their plans for the next level. Over a quarter of that group is off the board by the end of the first week of September!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Commitments seem to be coming quicker and quicker, with prospects seemingly prioritizing fit and the opportunity to play right away over high-major name-bradn recognition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With that change in the landscape, and the amount of commitments we've already seen, it's time to kick off our <em>Commitment Catch-Up</em> series for the <em>Class of 2027</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are six prospects that got the cycle going when they announced their plans for the next level:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470860"],"_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-6a9f2486e5bb4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bollin, a wing out of the <em>Newman School</em> in Massachusetts, wrapped up his recruitment with a commitment to <strong><em>Princeton University</em></strong>. The 6'7" wing does a little bit of everything on the floor, playing with terrific two-way versatility. He's strong, moves well, has good instincts, and as such, is one of the region's best connectors and hole pluggers. He can score in the post, attack off the bounce from the perimeter, and is a high level cutter off the ball. He should be a perfect fit at <strong><em>Princeton</em></strong> and has the ability to develop into one of the <em>Ivy League's</em> top glue guys.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2407058"],"_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-6a9f2486e5c18"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blackburn, a wing out of <em>Worcester Academy</em> in Massachusetts, come off the board when he committed to <strong><em>Dartmouth College</em></strong>. The 6'6" wing is one of the most explosive athletes in the region and shines when making plays in space. He puts pressure on opposing defenses in transition, finishes with length and strength at the rim, and has done a nice job of developing his perimeter jumper over the last 12 months. He's a good two-way rebounder that has a lot of versatility defensively, making plenty of loud, disruptive plays on that end of the floor. He's a terrific early piece for <strong><em>Dartmouth</em></strong> and has a chance to be one of the better two-way wings in the <em>Ivy League</em> over time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2878952"],"_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-6a9f2486e5c65"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Middleton, a wing out of the <em>St. George's School</em> in Rhode Island, announced his future plans with a commitment to <strong><em>Brown University</em></strong>. A powerful and explosive 6'5" wing, Middleton one of our standout performers at the <em>NEPSAC Showcases</em> and impresses with his effort, intensity, and productivity. He's a terrific defender, capable of guarding in space and around the basket, knows how to play angles, and has good anticipation on that end of the floor. His athletic gifts stand out in transition and as a downhill driver and his ceiling should only continue to rise as he rounds out his perimeter game offensively. This is a homerun for <strong><em>Brown</em></strong>, with Middleton profiling as a future contender for <em>Ivy League</em> defensive player of the year honors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2553690"],"_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-6a9f2486e5cb1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Adamson, a guard out of the <em>Dexter Southfield School</em> in Massachusetts, finalized his plans for the next level with a commitment to <strong><em>Siena College</em></strong>. A 5'10" lead guard, Adamson improved his stock as much as any prospect in New England over the last year and now heads to the Division I level. He has a compact, physical build and does a terrific job of taking advantage of his low center of gravity. He has a quick first step as a driver, knows how to get to his spots out of ball screens, and is capable of finishing in a variety of ways around the basket. Defensively, he hounds opposing guards and mixes it up on the glass. He should be a big part of the puzzle for <strong><em>Siena</em></strong> and feels like a really good fit in the newly branded, <em>Metro Conference</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2234138"],"_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-6a9f2486e5cfc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Uzgiris, a forward out of the <em>St. Luke's School</em> in Connecticut, made things official with a commitment to <strong><em>Brown University</em></strong>. The 7'0" big really turned a corner in his development this offseason and now has cemented his status as a future Ivy-Leaguer. He's gotten himself into better shape, which improved his conditioning, burst, and athleticism and has translated to his game on both ends of the floor. He can really protect the basket, when walling up or when sliding over from the help side and is an active and aggressive rebounder. Offensively, he does a nice job of rim running in transition, is a big target on the block, and is finishing with more authority around the basket. It's a quality piece for <strong><em>Brown</em></strong> and he should have a nice four-year career in the <em>Ivy League</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3693245"],"_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-6a9f2486e5d4b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Landoure, a forward out of <em>Bridgton Academy</em> in Maine, put an end to his recruitment with a commitment to the <strong><em>University of Virginia</em></strong>. The 6'10" big man is still a bit of an unknown in New England as he comes from the <em>Basketball Africa League</em>, but has enormous potential and is a massive presence in the paint. He's got broad shoulders and a big frame, but also plays with some impressive vertical athleticism. He scores it in a variety of ways around the basket and is a serious threat out of ball screen actions. Defensively, he moves well laterally for a prospect of his size and has the ability to control the glass with his effort, motor, and strength. He's an exciting piece for <strong><em>Virginia</em></strong> and should carve out a nice role in the <em>ACC</em> as a prospect that still has considerable upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check back later this week for <em>Part II</em> and <em>Part III</em> of the early season commitments!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->