Team Preview: Brimmer and May

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's NEPSAC preview season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I got a chance to watch Brimmer and May 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 seven players who should make an impact this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470946"],"_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-6abd99e37c101"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Payne was absolutely ridiculous when I watched him at open gym tonight. The 6-foot-2 guard probably had a 50% usage rate but somehow only turned the ball over once over the span of an hour and a half. He has phenomenal passing vision out of the pick and roll and can make any read you'd want a point guard to be able to make—he had a couple of no-look, live-dribble passes that totally wow'd me—but he can also score the basketball when the defense doesn't collapse. Payne is committed to Holy Cross, and he's going to have an excellent season at the helm of Brimmer and May's offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2634131"],"_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-6abd99e37c16a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fitzgibbon was probably the second most impressive player at Brimmer's open gym. The 6-foot-4 guard shot the ball well from the mid-range and three and showcased a tighter handle than I realized he had. He made a ton of great moves to the rim and then used his combination of size and athleticism to finish with contact at the hoop. Fitzgibbon is receiving interest from all three levels and could probably see more scholarship interest if he proves he can consistently make catch-and-shoot threes, which he'll have an opportunity to show this season at Brimmer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2568348"],"_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-6abd99e37c1bf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Robinson looks fresh and ready to go for Brimmer's season after a long battle with various injuries. The athleticism is back, and now he finally has some time to showcase what he can do on both ends. On a number of plays at tonight's open gym, the 6-foot-8 forward burrowed his way under the rim and totally overpowered defenders with his strength and size. He also showcased some perimeter skills and looks to be improving as an outside shooter. I could see some scholarship schools getting involved if he has a good season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2964875"],"_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-6abda3a21bed2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">August does all the little things for this Brimmer squad and continues to look like a more formidable college player every time I watch him. The 6-foot-4 flamethrower does a good job coming off screens and knocking down shots, and he's growing as a closeout attacker and finisher. Defensively, the junior slides his feet incredibly well and is super switchable on the perimeter and in the post, which allows him to play tons of different positions. August strikes me as a nice D3 player in a couple years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2964869"],"_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-6abda3a21bf26"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wood wasn't in attendance for open gym tonight because of another fall sport obligation, but he'll definitely be a big part of Brimmer this season. The 6-foot-2 guard has underrated athleticism on drives to the rim and can do tons of different things on the floor. The junior has also massively improved as a shooter over the past year or so and should be able to get lots of open looks this season with Payne at the helm of the offense. Wood will play an important role on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470911"],"_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-6abda3a21bf76"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lang has great size and length at 6-foot-8, and he's starting to understand his body a bit more on both ends. The senior knows how to effectively protect the rim on the help-side and has surprisingly good instincts on that end, and he caught a couple of lobs and threw them down on the offensive end, which showcased what his potential can be. Lang still has to become more coordinated and skilled, but this system should help him improve there. He'll find a D3 fit when the time comes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2569693"],"_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-6abda3a21bfc6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dawan-Abdullah has a great head on his shoulders and just looks like a seasoned point guard. He has a tendency to over-pass and not look for his own shot, but that's something that can be coached and he still has time to work on his decision-making in those circumstances. What you can't teach, though, is his quickness with the rock and his ability to swiftly get from point A to point B. Dawan-Abdullah should handle the backup point guard duties for Brimmer this season and has a bright future ahead of himself.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->