Commitment Catch-Up
While the class of 2018 and beyond are busy this weekend with the opening of the live period, commitments continue to come at a rapid rate in the class of 2017.
Here’s a rundown of what we’ve seen in the last week alone:
- Worcester Academy senior guard Jack Zimmerman is headed to the NESCAC where he’ll star at Connecticut College. The New Hampshire native has improved exponentially over the last year and generated some Ivy League interest over the summer. He’s an athletic playmaker who should have a great opportunity to make his presence felt from day one with the Camels.
- Springfield Commonwealth Academy announced their latest commitments this week as senior guard Kendall Baldwin will stay close to home and star for Springfield College while A.J. Allen is headed to Fitchburg State. Baldwin’s commitment is a big one for Springfield as they land a talented combo-guard with definite scholarship level tools and plenty of upside still left to discover. Allen is a guard who also shoots the ball well from the arc, is a scrappy defender, and brings a wealth of intangibles and toughness with him to the court.
- Eastern Connecticut State University scored an important local commitment from Westbrook High School’s Cory Muckle. The long and athletic wing is another player with scholarship level tools, including a lethal mid-range game, and should only be just scratching the surface of his potential once he enters a college weight room and practice setting.
- St. Joseph’s College is keeping one of the top prospects in the state of Maine close to home as Cheverus High School’s Jack Casale will star for the Monks. Casale was a finalist for Maine’s Mr. Basketball award this season, the highest honor in the state. Best known for his ability to shoot the ball, Casale is a fundamentally sound and versatile scoring threat.
- Johnson & Wales is bringing one of Rhode Island’s most talented long-term prospects back close to home as Smithfield native and Putnam Science Academy post-grad Nate Patenaude will be joining JWU next year. A strong 6-foot-5 lefty combo-forward, Patenaude is a physically imposing prospect with a growing skill set and consequent mismatch potential.
- North Attleboro High School forward Jonny Friberg has committed to Mount Ida College for next season. The 6-foot-6 forward averaged just under 17 points per game with more than 10 rebounds a night. He was a first-team all-conference selection in the Hockomock League and a two-time recipient of their player of the week award.