New Hampshire 2018 Rankings Announced

New England Recruiting Report | Saturday, August 19th, 2017

While it was certainly a busy summer, not much has changed atop the class of 2018 in the state of New Hampshire.

That is certainly about to change though as this will be the last set of rankings without incoming prep products that are on their way to not just Brewster Academy but also New Hampton, Tilton, Phillips Exeter, Kimball Union Academy, and more.

Tilton and Expressions guard Marcus Zegarowski leads the local products returning to New Hampshire as he has retained his #1 rankings while living up to the top ten status that he’s held for over a year now. He’s skilled and cerebral but what really sets him apart is his drive as he’s as motivated a player as there is in New England. That’s also a recipe worth betting on long-term as Zegarowski prepares to choose from among his final four of Ohio State, Creighton, Washington, and Minnesota.

The battle for the second spot in the state came down to a pair of Brewster Academy big men in Lukas Kisuanas and Nate Roberts. There’s little question that Roberts has a higher long-term ceiling as he’s continued to grow, now stands close to 6-foot-11, and has a rare combination of athleticism, mobility, and touch to develop.

Kisunas is more of a finished product, physically at least, and while he didn’t have the dominant spring that most expected, anyone who saw the Bobcats last year knows he played a critical role in their first undefeated season in program history. Moreover, the things he does well (rebound, screen, defend the post, play through contact, pass, etc…) are all college ready attributes. For those reasons, he retains the #2 spot for the time being with Roberts gaining ground at #3.

Holderness wing Philmon Gebrewhit had a solid summer playing alongside Zegarowski with Expressions and escalated his recruitment to the Atlantic 10 level in the process. Gebrewhit is a skilled wing and good shooter with one of the best pull-up games in New England and even looked a step quicker this past July.

New Hampton and BABC guard Shandon Brown rounds out the top five. He’s a skilled lead guard and a dangerous shooter off the dribble himself, but where he really distinguishes himself is with his intangibles as Brown is one of the most competitive and tough players in New England with definite leadership qualities. He has cut his list to George Washington and Quinnipiac.

Kearsarge big man Tayler Mattos is undoubtedly the pride of the public school ranks. He had a breakout  junior season last year and following his spring and summer with Wright Way Skills now holds a variety of D1 offers to his name thanks to his big frame, mobility, and potential in the post.

Kimball Union guard Eze Dike is already off the board thanks to an early pledge to Yale. His commitment came on the heels of a big spring after the Canadian native returned home to star with the Northern Kings. He’s powerful, athletic, and if he can prove he’s a full time point guard this season his ranking may continue to rise regardless of who else is coming into the state.

Braintree High School (MA) grad and incoming KUA post-grad Nick Timberlake also had a big summer with Metro Boston, earning division I offers of his own. Timberlake is a good athlete and passer with good perimeter size and consequently has the potential to play multiple positions at the next level.

Tilton forward Max Zegarowski is another definite division I recruit who saved his best for last this summer with a huge performance in Las Vegas at the Fab 48. There’s no doubt he’s one of the best shooters in New England and in a college game that is trending towards more spacing and shot-making he’s only going to be increasingly coveted as the year goes on.

The top ten is rounded out by Phillips Exeter Academy forward Ben Eckstrom who earned his first scholarship offer while helping the D.C. Blue Devils to their huge summer. Eckstrom is a known scorer and skilled forward, but also looked to be in great shape this summer and as quick as we’ve ever seen him.

Click here to view the New Hampshire 2018 rankings in their entirety.