Prep Bound

New England Recruiting Report | Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

Every spring there are always dozens of players, graduating seniors and underclassmen alike, who claim they are heading to prep school.  Inevitably, the number gets much smaller by the time students go through the admission and financial aid process.  So with many still looking to solidify their plans, here is our first like of prep school commitments for the upcoming year:

Braley Chooses Exeter

Chris Braley, who was arguably the best player in the state of Maine as a junior, will reportedly transfer to Phillips Exeter Academy and reclassify to the class of 2012. 

Braley, who has already been the subject of a wide range of division I recruitment, is one of the premier shooters in New England with a rapidly developing complimentary skill set. 

He joins New Hampshire Gatorade Player of the Year Connor Green in Exeter’s incoming class.  

Cushing Gets Two From Maine

Cushing Academy may look to schedule more games to the north next year with the addition of two of Maine’s other top talents.  Seniors Alex Furness and Tyler McFarland will both head to Ashburnham, Massachusetts next year to star for head coach Barry Connors. 

Furness is six-foot-six guard with tremendous size and length.  A crafty creator with his dribble and capable shooter from the perimeter, he is certainly someone who has a high upside. 

McFarland is the reigning Gatorade Player of the Year in Maine and a sheer winner.  One of the toughest and most competitive players you will find in New England, the six-foot-five big man will team with Andrew Chrabascz to form one of the most effective frontlines in class AA next year.

Wilbraham & Monson Drawing Local Talent

Wilbraham and Monson Academy continues to develop into a hotspot for top local talent.  Most recently joining the fold are Jared Johnson and Mike Boornazian. 

Johnson will transfer from Cushing Academy in order to be closer to his hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts while Boornazian will enroll as a post-graduate after his career at Xavier High School in Connecticut. 

Both are expected to make contributions to what should be another strong Wilbraham & Monson team.  Johnson is an athletic defender and slashing scorer with a rapidly developing perimeter game while Boornazian is a spot up shooter who will provide a tough and physical presence on the wing.  

Taft Lands Pair

The Taft School will add two local post-graduates next year in Jake Donnelly and Matt Daley. 

Donnelly is a six-foot-two point guard from Champlain Valley Union in Vermont.  One of the state’s top players in recent years, Donnelly can put points on the board in high volume as well as he can create for his teammates. 

Daley is a six-foot-seven big man from Fairfield Prep in Connecticut.  A late blooming big man with a high upside, Daley has length, athleticism, and signs of an inside-out skill set. 

Cheshire Academy Adding Two

Cheshire Academy head coach Kevin Kehoe will add more firepower to his line-up next year with the addition of Connor Macomber and Al Torrens. 

Macomber was part of the MIAA state champion St. John’s Prep team this year, running the show in the backcourt while also showing his talented one on one skills. 

Torrens starred at Law High School in Connecticut where he has made a name for himself in recent years as a slashing scorer with a good feel for the game. 

Choate Adds East Catholic Forward

East Catholic senior forward Rohan Brown will head to Choate Rosemary Hall next year as a post-graduate. 

Brown is an active and mobile six-foot-five forward with a rapidly expanding perimeter skill set.  A versatile offensive player with a terrific motor on the glass, Brown was one of the top frontcourt players in the CIAC this season. 

Hillhouse Guard Heading North

Hillhouse senior guard Drew Crudup will do a post-graduate year at Lee Academy in Maine next season. 

An explosively athletic guard with a sharp attacking game, Crudup was an all SCC performer this year for Hillhouse and has all the physical tools to crack the rotation for Lee Academy next year. 

NMH Adds Local Products

Northfield Mount Hermon head coach John Carroll has added a variety of local products who will all be reclassifying upon arriving at NMH next fall. 

Pete Miller, Sam Donahue and Will Defanti will all be joining the class of 2013, Victor Udoji the class of 2014, and Jeremy Miller the class of 2015. 

Miller is a talented six-foot-nine post player who comes from Winchester High School while the Donahue/Defanti backcourt arrives in tact from Stonington High School in Connecticut.  Udoji comes by way of Boston College High School while Miller will be leaving Milton High School. 

Together the group will form a young, but undeniably talented, NMH team for the 2011-2012 season. 

Marianapolis Gets Second New Mission Product

New Mission senior Kachi Nzerem will follow in the footsteps of his former teammate Ousmane Drame by attending Marianapolis Prep for a post-graduate year following his high school graduation. 

Nzerem was one of the biggest stock risers of last summer’s AAU circuit showing his potential as a wing with good size, tremendous athleticism, and a very consistent stroke from behind the three-point line. 

Odenwaelder to Canterbury

Wamago High School’s Mike Odenwaelder will be staying close to home for another year and attending the Canterbury School. 

One of the toughest and most hard-nosed players there was in the CIAC this year, Odenwaelder was able to dominate with his size and strength during the high school season and will look to continue to develop his perimeter skill set at the prep level. 

Davine to Vermont Academy

First year head coach Jesse Bopp turned Vermont Academy into the state’s premier basketball program in his first year on the job and continues to draw top local talent as a result.  Troy Davine becomes the latest product to come aboard. 

Davine is coming off a big senior year that saw him lead his Rutland squad to the finals of the division I state tournament.  At VA, the six-foot-two point guard promises to provide depth and versatility in the backcourt while gaining valuable experience against a higher level of competition. 

Rhode Island Product Heading to Milton

Milton Academy continues to add tough local products and the latest is Rhode Island native Max Motroni who is expected to repeat his junior year and reclassify to the class of 2013. 

Motroni is a six-foot point guard who was one of the RIIL’s top scorers this year but is also capable of running the show.  A tough and scrappy player, Motroni is an ideal fit in a Milton Academy backcourt comprised of similarly hard-nosed players. 

PSA Adds Assie

Fresh off his state championship at St. Joe’s, Oscar Assie will complete a post-graduate year at Putnam Science Academy.  He averaged 13 points and 12 rebounds this year for the Cadets while leading them to a 23-1 overall record. 

“I think Oscar is one of the premiere athletes in Connecticut,” said PSA head coach Tom Espinosa. “He has all the tools to be a terrific prep school and College basketball player.”

Assie is the first incoming player to join the Mustangs for the 2011-12 season but will join returning starters Zaquan Nelson (Waterbury, CT) and sophomore Tyree Robinson (Fall River, MA).