Commitment Catch-Up
The class of 2017 is now all but in the books with only a handful of players remaining undecided about their future plans. With that in mind, here's a look at some of the most recent prospects to determine where they'll head next.
- Gould Academy guard George Papas will return to his home state of New Jersey to attend Monmouth University. Papas was initially slated to head to George Mason as a recruited walk-on but will now be joining the defending MAAC regular season champions where he'll provide three-point shooting and a heady ball-mover and passer around the perimeter. Papas' teammate at Gould Academy, Forrest Boucher, also recently solidified his recruitment as he'll head to St. Lawrence College next year.
- Marianapolis Prep also had a pair of players make recent decisions as Marley Bloomers and Amani Chambe have both finalized their plans. Bloomers, who picked up full scholarship offers at the D2 level during the course of the year, is heading north to Nova Scotia, Canada where he'll star for Dalhousie University. Chambe will do just the opposite and stay local at Worcester State.
- Williston Northampton has a pair of post-graduates who are both headed to the Northeast-10 Conference next season. Kyle Henseler, the point guard who previously starred for Bishop Hendricken High School in Rhode Island, will join the team at Assumption. Mike Mahoney, a late blooming big man who made great strides in the last season, is headed to Merrimack College.
- Springfield Commonwealth Academy continues to add to New England's biggest 2017 recruiting class with a pair of additional pledges. Brad Hastings and Tim Thomas, two of the programs best long distance shooters, are headed to UMass Boston and Philadelphia University respectively. UMass Boston is a D3 school competing in the Little East Conference while Philly U is a D2 school with a rich basketball tradition.
- A number of local products have accepted roster spots as walk-ons at the division I level. This group includes Taft guard Darius Chester who is headed to Quinnipiac, Brewster forward Avi Schafer who is bound for Georgia Tech, Choate wing Nick Fennell who will have a chance to earn a scholarship at North Carolina Central, Vermont Academy forward Kendrick Gray who will move south to ETSU, Tilton guard Rob Birstonas who is headed to Maine next year, and South Kent guard Myles Williams who will compete for a roster spot at Villanova.
- Longtime St. Andrew's and BABC guard Keyshaad Dixon has accepted a scholarship offer from Ranger College in Texas where he'll play for former Kentucky head coach Billy Gillespie. Dixon was a full qualifier out of high school and so will have the opportunity to transfer to a D1 school after just one season at Ranger. He becomes the 8th member of BABC's 2017 class to earn a full scholarship next year.
- Putnam Science Academy forward Isaiah Laurent is also headed the junior college route as he'll move on to Raritan Valley Community College, while Alex White and Adham Floyd are also off the board. White, who ran with PTT Elite during the grassroots season, will head to Concordia College at the division II level while Floyd, who previously starred at St. John's High School, is on his way to Rhode Island College where he'll join an already strong D3 class under head coach Mike Byrnes.
- Another BABC product, Brooks forward Fru Che, is reportedly headed to the NESCAC next year where he'll suit up for Amherst College. Che is a versatile forward with a winning pedigree on both the grassroots and prep levels after helping Brooks to consecutive Class B championships.
- Brandeis landed a big late pledge from Tabor Academy big man Akim Sanni. The Expressions Elite product was initially slated to attend Trinity but provides Brandeis with an impactful late addition to their frontline and someone who should be capable of making an immediate impact.
- St. Thomas More forward Troy Sav is headed to the D2 level after his commitment to Saint Leo University in Florida. Sav is a skilled 6-foot-7 forward who came to STM from his home country of Turkey this year and has a strong upside.
- WPI landed Winchendon guard Avelino Damour who was previoused mentored by legendary Massachusetts high school coach Jack O'Brien before leading Winchendon in both scorings and assists this season.
- Wentworth landed a pair of local prep products in Canterbury forward Mike Sulik and Wilbraham & Monson guard Tyler Lennon. Sulik is a skilled 6-foot-6 big man who has had a tremendous career for Canterbury while Lennon is an athlete and swiss army knife who can play a variety of positions.
- Nichols College also has a pair of local products en route for next season. Bradford Christian and Mass Rivals point guard Nate Tenaglia is expected to make an immediate contribution as a playmaker in the backcourt while Leceister big man Matt Morrow, who starred with Central Mass Swarm on the grassroots circuit, will add to the frontline with his big 6-foot-8 frame.
- Westfield State picked up a versatile guard from the Master's School in Joey Massa who can both make shots from long-range and handle the basketball.