Commitment Catch-Up

New England Recruiting Report | Thursday, August 2nd, 2012

CCSU Adds Wing

Earlier this summer, Central Connecticut State University landed a commitment from Rashard Todd, a six-foot-seven forward from Mount Carmel High School in Baltimore, Maryland.  

Todd, who has spent time with both Baltimore Elite and Crusader Nation on the AAU circuit, is described as a high level athlete with a developing face-up skill set on the wing, but is widely considered to still have his best basketball still in front of him after having only played the game for three and a half years.  

Todd will reunite with another Baltimore product in rising sophomore Malcolm McMillan in CCSU’s line-up next year.  

Mid-Atlantic Select Guard Pledges to Fairfield

Fairfield was another local program to land a commitment earlier this month as Mid-Atlantic Select guard Doug Chappell committed to the Stags in early July.  

Chappell, who plays at Episcopal High School in Virginia, is a heady and versatile guard with a strong body who can hurt defenders with his jumper, dribble drive game, and passing ability.  

He’ll provide added versatility in the Stags’ backcourt while also contributing with a strong, college ready body as well as a good feel for the game.  

Yale Lands Swingman

Yale picked up a commitment earlier this summer from J.T. Flowers, a six-foot-six big guard from Lincoln High School in Portland, Oregon.  

Flowers graduated in June and will attend Choate Rosemary Hall as a post-graduate next year.  He held previous offers from Arizona State, San Francisco, and Idaho among others and shined at the Yale Elite Camp in June.  

With good size and athleticism along with tremendous length, Flowers has the skill set and versatility to play multiple positions and impact the game on both sides of the floor.  

Kent Big Man Headed to Clarion

Evan Battle, who spent last year as a post-graduate at the Kent School, recently accepted a scholarship offer from Clarion University.  

Battle’s commitment means that all six seniors from last year’s Kent team will continue their athletic career at the next level.  Battle joins Conor McDermott (UCLA football), Stefon Williams (Southern Connecticut), Henry Pendergast (Middlebury), Eric Tuder (Dickinson) and Harry Perkins (Washington & Lee lacrosse).  

Also, Kent’s starting guards from their 2010 Western New England Championship team have recently accepted full D1 offers.  Gary Ricks has signed with Drake and Darian Hooker has signed with Campbell.  

Nichols Completes Class

Nichols College recently wrapped up their 2012 recruiting class and will welcome six new players to the program next year.  

The Bison will add: Jeff Schmeltz, who helped lead CCRI to the finals of the Juco Division II national championships; Christian Horton, a 1000 point scorer at Quabbin Regional; Jalen Hurst, a standout for Farmington High School in Connecticut; Gustave Koumare, a crafty scorer from the Winchendon School; Mike McMahon, who led St. Joseph’s (MA) to the D3 state finals; and Irvinig Eggelston from East Lyme High School in Connecticut.  

Penniman Picks Clark

Clark University landed their most recent commitment from Myles Penniman back in June, who will help add depth to Cougars’ front line.  

The six-foot-seven big man graduated from Lexington High School in Massachusetts this year while previously starring with Mass Elite on the AAU circuit.  

Penniman has the size and interior instincts to compete for immediate playing time but also has his best days still ahead of him as he adds strength and game experience.  

Rhode Island Native Earns Scholarship

Lee Academy post-graduate Gunner Bjornson signed with St. Rose College back in June, accepting a full athletic scholarship to the division II school in the Northeast Ten Conference.  

Bjornson is a Rhode Island native who led Tiverton High School to a state championship in his senior year before heading to Lee Academy.  He was also a standout on the AAU circuit running with the Rhode Island Hawks.  

Bjornson arrived at Lee Academy in the best shape of his playing life and continuing to show the same high volume scoring ability that has always been a staple of his playing career.