Merrick is a well-rounded, big and athletic wing who completes Hotchkiss’ trio of physically-imposing wing/forwards. The 6-foot-6 wing does literally everything for his squad—he defends every position, he rebounds the basketball, he scores in transition, and he sets up his teammates for easy points. Some improved outside shooting and offensive pop would probably help him earn minutes immediately for Harvard next season, but he’s still additive in almost every way despite those deficiencies. Merrick deserves a ton of credit for this win and the overall season for Hotchkiss. 

Merrick, a senior wing out of the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut, stands out as arguably, the top two-way wing in Class A. Hotchkiss has an 11-3 record in Class A games, good for 4th in the standings, and has been playing some of their best basketball in recent weeks. Merrick is a big time athlete that plays with versatility on both ends of the floor. He’s too big and strong for most guards to cover around the rim and too mobile for most forwards to stay in front of him around the perimeter. He makes plays for himself and others in transition and is an elite finisher around the rim. Defensively, he is able to guard four positions on the floor and has the ability to go rebound the basketball above the rim in traffic. Merrick will continue his playing career in the fall at Harvard.

Preston Merrick Preston Merrick 6'5" | SF Hotchkiss | 2026 State New E was scoring everywhere on the court. He made multiple layups in transition with contact, while stretching the floor from three and cleaning up missed shots around the rim.

Merrick was one of the better all-around athletes I saw all weekend. He has ridiculous end-to-end speed and consistently gets rebounds and then goes all the way down the floor for finishes Giannis-style. Despite his freak athleticism, he’s under control at the rim and has great touch, which makes him a great finisher. He also always has the willingness and IQ to make kickout passes on the break if the defense collapses. And on the defensive end, Merrick slides his feet incredibly well and can comfortable guard 1-4.

Merrick, an explosive athlete out of the Hotchkiss School, has been a two-way standout this spring playing for the New York Jayhawks. He immediately stands out when he takes the floor as he has an incredibly strong frame and pops athletically. He moves well laterally, can really get up and down the floor, and plays with great effort on both ends. He continues to improve as a jump shooter and adds that to an offensive arsenal that includes good instincts as an off-ball cutter and the ability to make plays off the bounce. Defensively, he has stopper ability at multiple positions.

Merrick is a well built power wing who thrives thudding his way to different places on floor with authority. He is assertive on the defensive end and can cover an array of different positions. He shows some flashes from the perimeter. Merrick has a good feel and is an unselfish teammates who contributes to winning. low and mid majors will be tracking him all spring and summer.

Merrick is a big guard who uses his size well to see over defenders and make smart plays. He showcased his ability to knock down shots from the perimeter, keeping defenses honest. With solid ball-handling and vision, he created opportunities for both himself and his teammates. Merrick’s combination of size, shooting, and playmaking made him a versatile threat on the floor.

Merrick is a dynamic three-level scorer who thrives in both half-court and transition settings, displaying great pacing and control. His length and versatility on defense allow him to guard multiple positions effectively, making him a valuable asset on both ends of the floor. Offensively, Merrick’s ability to create and score from anywhere on the court keeps defenders on edge. Marist has expressed heavy interest in Merrick, recognizing his all-around game and potential at the next level.