Maxie Still on Top of Maine

New England Recruiting Report | Monday, January 4th, 2010

Future UMass Minuteman Maxie Esho has been up and down thus far this season for Lee Academy, but he has still shown enough to remain the highest ranked prospect in the state of Maine. 

Consistency has been Esho’s biggest challenge this year as he will show flashes of his extraordinary potential for stretches at a time only to disappear at others.  Nonetheless, the six-foot-seven forward undoubtedly has all the talent to develop into a successful player in the Atlantic 10. 

Esho has the two physical tools that most coaches look for when they talk about potential – explosive athleticism and a very long frame.  Those abilities allow him to be at his best in the open floor, a major shot-blocking threat, and a potential mismatch problem.  Esho isn’t without signs of skill as well as he can create his own shot off the dribble and knock down mid-range pull-ups at times. 

For the D.C. Assault product to realize his potential, he needs to continue to get stronger physically, become a little tougher, and learn to play hard on every possession.  If he can do that he will be the latest high level recruit that UMass head coach Derek Kellogg has landed in his relatively short time at the helm of the Minuteman program. 

Coming in a close second in the rankings is another prep school forward, Tyshawn Bell, who is in his first season at Maine Central Institute.  Like Esho, Bell is six-foot-seven with the ability to play a little bit of both forward positions.  He’s more burly than explosive, and also must better translate his talent into efficiency on the floor, but his tools for the next level are undeniable. 

Bridgton Academy’s Alexander Harris checks in at number three, although in terms of sheer production so far this year he is probably at the top of the charts.  The California native has been as steady as he has been versatile for Bridgton, playing either of the guard positions, making athletic plays on both ends of the floor, and showing both a consistent dribble drive game and dependable perimeter stroke. 

The pride of Maine checks in at number four.  Keegan Hyland has been sidelined by injury for the beginning of the high school season but he is without a doubt the top player (and prospect) in the public school leagues.  “The Kid” was receiving interest from levels as high as the A-10 before committing to Vermont for a minute, only to open things back up and state his intention to go to prep school next year. 

Rounding out the top five is another player who has battled injury.  Lee Academy’s Kristopher Sherard was improving by leaps and bounds through the fall and just beginning to develop a little bit of a high-major following when he went down with a bad leg. 

The rest of the top ten is made up of Lee’s Ricmonds Vilde at six, MCI’s Levan Shengelia at seven, his teammate Steven Roundtree at eight, Bridgton’s Thierno Niang at nine, and Cheverus’ Indiana Faithful at ten. 

2010 isn’t unlike past years in Maine, where the state’s top prospects are often dominated by the prep ranks.  At the New England Recruiting Report we’re often accused of being partial towards the prep schools, but the reality of the situation is that college coaches are just looking for the best player/prospect and they don’t care if you’re in public school or prep school…so neither do we. 

Other public school products who have managed to crack our top 25 include Westbrook’s Dominic Borelli who is committed to St. Anselm’s and is in at number 15, Hampden’s Jacob Moore who is committed to Bentley and in at 16, Westbrook’s Nich Joblin at 23, and Falmouth’s Stephano Mancini at 25. 

To view the rankings in their entirety click here.