Commitment Catch-Up

NewEnglandRecruitingReport.com | Thursday, May 8th, 2008

The past few weeks have brought a variety of commitments from around the region.  Here is a look at some of the ones we have not been able to update you on before today. 

Merrimack Lands Local Star

Aaron Strothers, a post-graduate power forward from Marianapolis Prep, has made a verbal commitment to Merrimack and is expected to sign his National Letter of Intent on Friday.  Strothers also had offers from Philadelphia University as well as the University of New Haven.  His commitment comes after a successful season at Marianapolis, in addition to a very impressive month of April playing with the Rhode Island Breakers AAU team. 

Monteiro Commits to Wentworth

Brendan Monteiro committed to Wentworth Institute of Technology over the weekend.  His decision is a huge recruiting boost for the Leopards as they land a player who is uniquely poised to make an immediate contribution as a freshman.  Monteiro will graduate from Central Catholic High School next month where he helped lead them to two consecutive state championship games as well as the MIAA Division II championship this season. 

Hunter Headed to St. Anselm’s

The Bishop Guertin forward will stay close to home for the next four seasons and attend St. Anselm’s College.  Oliver Hunter is an impressive athlete who does his best work when attacking the rim.  He is also a physically powerful player who finishes and rebounds well around the basket.  He becomes the second local player to commit to St. Anselm’s in recent weeks, joining 6’2” guard Zach Dugas out of St. Luke’s School in Connecticut. 

Vayda Becomes Latest to Commit to Clark

It has been a busy couple of months for the staff at Clark University.  First they landed the gem of their class in Marco Radovic from Proctor Academy.  Next they picked up Radovic’s teammate, sharp-shooting two-guard Travis Curley.  Now they have added Brian Vayda from Tantasqua High School.  Vayda was one of the main driving forces behind one of the more impressive runs in recent memory from within New England High School basketball.  Tantasqua won two state championship and 49 consecutive games before falling to Catholic Memorial in this year’s MIAA Division II final. 

Wheaton Lands Point Guard

Speaking of impressive winning streaks, Brendan Degnan and Bishop Hendricken High School may own the region’s best.  In his four years at the school, Degnan and his teammates came away with a staggering four straight state championships.  Next, he will head to Wheaton where his winning attitude and ability to score the basketball should be of great use to the Lyons as they try to rebound from a disappointing 2007-2008 season. 

Connecticut Resident to Play at Union

Many local players and fans may not know the name Brett Tessler.  Despite hailing from Norwalk, Connecticut, Tessler has been the starting point guard at IMG Academy in Florida for the last two years.  Many people who attended the Hoop Mountain Academic All-American Camp or the New England Elite 75 Showcase simply last year simply know Tessler as Steve Nash because of his hair style and fast paced attack.  Unfortunately for the guard, he suffered a torn ACL this year and returned home to Connecticut to rehab.  Despite plenty of scholarship level interest, Tessler ultimately opted to take a quality education and attend Union College.  His decision was certainly a huge steal for the Union, who will welcome another talented local player next year in Rusmir Dzanko as well. 

Eastern Connecticut Keeps Local Big Man at Home

Jeremy Thompson, a 6’4” power forward from Berlin HS, has made a commitment to Eastern Connecticut.  Thompson is the son of former UConn Husky legend Corny Thompson.  Jeremy has always been a valuable scorer and rebounder around the paint when he is motivated.  If he can get his motor going consistently over the next four years, he has the ability to help the Warriors program. 

Callo to Endicott

Eric Callo has decided to attend Endicott College.  The 6’8” big man has come a long way in the last year.  After graduating from Southington High School he was receiving very little recruiting attention.  But after showing his prowess rebounding the basketball this year, in addition to an ability to score over either shoulder in the post, he had a long line of division III suitors. 

Naylor will be Recruited Walk-On at Delaware

Northfield Mount Hermon’s Bruno Naylor has accepted an invitation to join the University of Delaware men’s basketball team as a recruited walk-on.  The talented 6’5” swingman is a very effective catch and shoot player who is hoping to eventually be able to challenge for meaningful minutes.