Commitments At All levels

New England Recruiting Report | Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

Two Local Stars Will Prep at NMH

Clancy Rugg, who was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Vermont as well as the state’s Most Valuable Player by the Vermont Basketball Coaches Association, is heading to Northfield Mount Hermon next year for a post-graduate year.  NMH has been very successful over the years at taking skilled forwards and turning them into division I players.  Rugg fits that mold to a tee and so it will be no surprise to see him in a division I uniform in another year. 

Another player who has stated his intention to head to NMH next year is Evan Cummins, a talented sophomore forward from Westboro High School in Massachusetts.  Cummins is expected to repeat his sophomore year and join the class of 2012. 

Norris Headlines Recent Commitments from State of Vermont

Rugg’s teammate at Burlington High School, Shane Norris is heading to Keene State next year where he will join another Vermont native, D.J. Campbell, in the Owls' freshmen class.  Norris is a pure point guard who thinks pass first, shoot second.  He was the floor general for a Burlington team that won the state title a year ago and fell in this year’s championship game for their only loss of the season.  Other commitments from Vermont include Jon Lovering heading to Plymouth State and Cedric White to RPI. 

Rhode Island Stars Will Prep

St. Andrew’s Mike Accaoui and Burrillville’s Jeff Schmeltz are both headed to prep school next year.  Accaoui, a sharp-shooting guard who is capable of catching fire at virtually anytime, will prep at Winchendon.  Schmeltz, who emerged as a dominant player this year in the RIIL, will head to Bridgton Academy to play for the defending class A champions. 

RIC Keeps Local Star at Home

It looks as if Rhode Island College head coach Bob Walsh has landed his latest recruiting prize.  Ashton Watkins, a 6’5” power forward who has led Classical High School to back to back RIIL state championships, will play for the Anchormen next season as they chase their latest Little East Conference championship.  Watkins is a scholarship level talent who possesses tremendous athleticism which allows him to make a variety of plays around the rim on both ends of the floor. 

Roger Williams Gets Local Star of their Own

According to reports, Roger Williams College has received a commitment from Jay Jeannotte from Narragansett High School.  Jeannotte, who put up huge numbers during his senior season, was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Rhode Island this year.  Roger Williams has also received commitments from Ethan Smith from Cranston West High School, Ryan Spencer from Franklin High School (MA), and Mike Igoe from Lexington High School (MA).  Smith averaged over 23 points per game this year while Spencer is a big time shot maker and Igoe a clutch performer who had his best individual performances in Lexington's toughest games.   

Trio of Commitments From MCI

There have been three commitments from MCI in recent weeks.  First and foremost, is 6’9” power forward David Grebru making a verbal commitment to Western Illinois.  Grebru really began to emerge as an intriguing prospect towards the end of the season and Western Illinois was quick to snatch him up.  By the end of the season Grebru showed the footwork and offensive repertoire to be successful as a back to the basket scorer while also showing a nice touch from 15 feet.  Physically he’s got plenty of tools as he’s very long and quick on his feet. 

Marc Zaharchuk, a Maine native, who did a post-graduate season at MCI this year is staying close to home and headed to nearby Husson College in Bangor.  Zaharchuk should be an immediate impact player for the Eagles as he has really benefited from his additional year and has all the size and low post skills to contend for the starting center position. 

Another Maine native doing a post-graduate year at MCI has also made a decision, as Derek Libbey will head to Rhode Island College.  Perhaps Libbey’s best moment over the years came with his MBR team during their run at AAU Nationals a couple of years back.  Libbey is a talented offensive player who should only add more firepower to head coach Bob Walsh’s already talented team.  Libbey will join Watkins and New Bedford's Ryan Santos in RIC's incoming recruiting class. 

Weston Guards Gives Wheelock Their First Commitment

6’0” guard Bashir Hudson from Weston High School is the first player to join head coach John Preziosa’s recruiting class at Wheelock College this year.  Hudson had a strong senior season leading his team to the state tournament while being named Dual County League (Small) MVP.  He is expected to be able to step right in and make an immediate contribution next year. 

Gross to Navy

Bridgton Academy post-graduate Garrison Gross will enroll at the Naval Academy next year where he also expects to suit up for the basketball team.  Prior to arriving at Bridgton this year Gross starred at the Salisbury School in Connecticut.  The 6’5” swingman was a contributing role player for the Wolverines this year as they captured their fourth NEPSAC Class A title in the last five years.

CCRI Picks Up Foursome

Mike Juarez has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for Rick Harris at the Community College of Rhode Island next year, where he will be joined by two of his teammates from Cranston East High School, Ricky Fuller and Kevin Cabrerra.  Antjuan Jones, a ultra talented guard from Woonsocket, has made a verbal commitment to CCRI and is expect to sign in the near future.

Dockery to FDU

Worcester Academy post-graduate, DeShawn Dockery,is headed to Farleigh Dickinson next season.  Dockery came to Worcester by way of Hillcrest High School in Chicago and has all the tools to be a succesful player in the Northeast Conference.  A quick guard with long arms, he can both run a team and provide individual offense with his ability to get to the rim or make shots from the perimeter.