Best Available - Wings

New England Recruiting Report | Monday, February 22nd, 2016

In the fourth of a six-part series, the New England Recruiting Report starts to break down some of the best prospects left on the board in the class of 2016.

Positions have become so flexible with the way that the game has evolved that the wing now defines what used to be commonly known as the small forward as well as any type of bigger shooting-guard who won’t slide over to the point.

Fortunately for college recruiters, New England is still ripe with talented wings, some of which we’ve already profiled in our look at the region’s best available shooters, but here’s the full rundown of those still on the board.

Alpha Diallo, Brewster Academy – The ESPN 100 product has been a well-known target for some of the nation’s top high-major programs since the fall. Places like Indiana and Florida have joined local programs like Providence and Boston College to pursue this big wing with a strong feel for the game.

Kejuan Johnson, Notre Dame Prep – Previously committed to Rutgers in the class of 2015, Johnson is a power player on the wing with a ton of sheer force in his game. He’s playing some of the best basketball of his career right now and is a driving force behind the Crusader’s current winning streak.

Shawn Montague, Canterbury – His recruitment got a quick jump-start with an early offer from Seton Hall last spring. Unfortunately, when the Big East comes calling it can scare others away from pursuing, but Montague remains on the board with his best basketball very clearly still in front of him.

Arkel Ager-Lamar, St. Thomas More – The Connecticut native has had a big name since he was younger but it’s been in the last two years with the Chancellors that he’s become a dependable two way player. He’s long and powerful, blessed with a great basketball body, and versatile on both ends of the floor.

Roy Kane, Notre Dame Prep – Speaking of versatility, Kane is a guy who both plays multiple positions and also stuffs multiple columns on the stat sheet. He put up huge numbers at Norwalk High School before coming to Notre Dame where he’s proven his ability to mesh with other talented players.

Jake Ross, Williston Northampton – Another multi-positional player, he’s been utilized as a big guard for the better part of the last two years and helped Williston to a Class A championship in the process, but he also has the size, strength and toughness to thrive as a versatile wing at the next level.

Nick Seretta, Northfield Mount Hermon – He’s another power player whose force and competitiveness are staples of his game, but his increased skill is also a big selling point. He’s especially dangerous in the mid-range area where there are few better at curling screens. He was offered by Manhattan this summer.

Brenden Vessichio, Wilbraham & Monson – He’s a scoring threat in all three ranges – able to knock down open threes, pull-up in the mid-range area and show bounce around the rim – but he’s also continued to develop his guard skills, particularly his passing ability, and so his value has continued to increase.

Nate Duda, St. Andrew’s – An athletic wing who was best known for his slashing ability, Duda’s newfound consistency as a three-point shooter has made him a much more dangerous scorer while he also possesses the tools to be a solid defender at the next level as well. He currently holds a D2 offer.

Kena Gilmour, Kent – He had early division I offers as a junior and now holds late value for a program looking to add an athletic southpaw on the wing. Gilmour is a hard-worker who rises above the rim with ease and can also stretch opposing defenses out to the three-point line.

Elijah Wilson, Suffield Academy – Perhaps the best defensive player on this list, Wilson’s offensive game has gradually caught up and his recruitment has recently reached unprecedented levels as a result. He’s also a top-notch student in the class and so he’s a candidate for top-notch academic schools as well.

Damonte Turner, JE Burke - Arguably the best available talent in the city of Boston, Turner can play multiple perimeter positions and has come a long way in the last two years. Now he's a blossoming two-way player with developing skill and definite upside in the coming years.