Team Preview: Newman School

It's NEPSAC preview season!   I got a chance to watch Newman school both this summer and at open gyms this fall, as well as seeing tons of their individual players during the AAU season. Though they've lost a good number of players to college, they have reloaded with tons of talent.   Below are 9 guys I expect to make a splash this season.    Though Bollin wasn't playing at open gyms when I watched them last week because of an injury, I've seen enough of him to know that he'll have an impact the game at a high level this year. The 6-foot-7 wing does tons of things on the basketball floor—he's a great ball mover and passer as both a hub and a connector, he can score at the rim with his strength and size, and he can even make shots from the outside. But he also defends his behind off and is super versatile on that end because of his size and athleticism. Bollin is committed to Princeton for next season and should have a very translatable game to college hoops.     Donohue has a super intriguing skillset that fits right into what Newman likes to do offensively. The 6-foot-7 wing shoots the leather off the basketball, but he's also able to get his shot off quickly and off of movement or the dribble. He's also a really smart passer and closeout attacker and is able to take advantage of how aggressively the defense reacts to his outside shooting threat. I would project Donohue to get up TONS of threes this season and be quite the marksman given how much his teammates will be looking for him and the system he'll be playing in.     Ndong really impressed me at open gym last week. Obviously the 6-foot-9 forward is an extremely high-level prospect, but his potential is turning into production right in front of our eyes. He seems stronger at the point of attack and is keeping a better line on drives to the rim (his handle looks sharper and more confident, too), and he's still one of the most lethal shooters at his size in the entire country. He gets his shot off quickly and has so much size and length that he's quite difficult to defend. Like Donohue, Ndong should get up tons of shots from three this season and make them at a relatively high clip.     Gray is as efficient as it gets. I'm not joking when I say this: I don't think I've ever seen him commit a turnover, and I've probably watched 2-3 full games of his at this point. The 6-foot-6 wing only takes excellent shots from three and is so poised as a decision-maker and closeout attacker—he does a good job slowing the game down and always makes the right play even if it isn't flashy. Gray also shoots the lights out from three-point range and has size and athleticism to defend virtually all positions on the other end. I'm not sure he's getting enough scholarship buzz—definite D1 player in my opinion.     Powe III is one of the most underrated players on this Newman squad. The 6-foot-6 wing does literally everything on the basketball floor. He can play with the ball in his hands as a point-forward and facilitator, where he showcases good on-ball ability and passing instincts. He can also play off the ball and stretch the defense with his shooting ability, closeout attacks, and long extend finishes at the cup. Defensively, he can guard tons of positions because of his size and strength. Powe III isn't getting as much scholarship buzz as he should, but a nice season at Newman could change that.     Maloney was still battling a wrist injury when I attended Newman's open gym last week, but he still projects to make an impact this season. The 6-foot-6 senior wing shoots the ball extremely well from the perimeter but also gets out in transition and uses his athleticism quite effectively at the rim—he can sky for dunks but also does a good job taking contact. Though he has had some injury problems, I expect Maloney to have a significant role on this squad if he can stay healthy. Like many of the guys above, he also shoots the ball well from three and should excel in this system.     Allen recently transferred to Newman and could potentially earn the starting point guard spot for their squad. The 6-foot-1 combo guard is one of the toughest two-way guards in the entire region and is a problem on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he uses his strength and athleticism to be a relentless driver to the rim—he finishes quite well with contact and never stops attacking. Defensively, he's phenomenal at the point of attack and is a nuisance to play against. In this system, with shooters all around him, Allen should be able to really excel as a floor general and driver.     Kuqo is going to man the paint for Newman this season and should be great at both ends for them. Defensively, he's a great help-side defender and really understands how to clog the paint, defend post-ups, and communicate on the back line. Offensively, he has some skills on the perimeter (shooting, ball handling) but can also burrow his way into the paint via post-ups and clean up misses with put-backs. Kuqo didn't play in last week's open gym because of injury, but he should be good to go for the season opener and will see his recruitment rise this season.     Higgins has special long-term potential. The 6-foot-10 forward is going to continue to grow offensively—he already shows flashes of really nice footwork and finishing ability, and the outside shot will continue to improve. But right now, the sophomore is already an elite defender. He's a phenomenal rim-protector with his length and timing, he switches out onto guards and can stay with them on the perimeter, and he's excellent in the passing lanes or while playing in the gap. There literally isn't a thing he can't do or a player he can't guard on the defensive end, and it's rare for a guy to be that polished on that end this early on in his career. I find it hard to believe Higgins won't get minutes this season as a result of what he can do defensively, and the future is quite bright for him once he gains more offensive skill and confidence.

It's NEPSAC preview season!