Top Prospects in the VPA

Thursday, December 20th, 2018

Our sixth and final state association preview takes us north to Vermont, a state that has a passionate base of basketball fans at both the college and high school levels.

While the senior class is home to many of the top prospects in the state, there is one sophomore who started to make a name for himself this fall and has kept that momentum building in the opening weeks of the high school season.

Here are five names to know in the VPA:

Jamison Evans, Rutland – Evans leads a Rutland squad that had won consecutive state championships and over 43 straight games prior a loss to Rice earlier this week. Evans, the team’s only returning starter, has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders this year but is considered one of the leading contenders for Player of the Year honors in the state.

Ian Jennings, Milton – Milton was the runner-up in division II last year and is expected to be among the favorites again this year despite a recent setback against Mount St. Joseph. Jennings is a budding big wing with the size, instincts, and playmaking ability to change the game on both ends. He’s already gone for 29-points in a single game this year and is expected to be the team’s leader all season long.

Alex Carlisle, St. Johnsbury – Carlisle had a big junior season for St. Johnsbury, leading them to the semi-finals of the division I tournament, and stuffing all columns of the stat sheet with nearly 16 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and nearly 1.5 steals per game.

Jordan Hawkins, U-32 – A Dream Dozen selection last year as a junior, Hawks has brought his game to new levels this year as a senior. He put the state on notice in the first week of the season when he exploded for a 38-point performance, showing why he may be as fast of a playmaking guard as there is in the state association.  

Michel Ndayishmiye, Rice Memorial – The 2021 guard was one of the biggest breakout performers in September’s Elite 75 Frosh/Soph and the early reviews from his sophomore season are equally impressive as he’s already exploded for a 41-point game and helped Rice to a win over Rutland earlier this week. Ndayishmiye is a playmaking lead guard with pop in his legs and a high motor.