Smotrycz Will Prep at New Hampton

NewEnglandRecruitingReport.com | Monday, June 23rd, 2008

Smotrycz Will Prep at New Hampton

What has been rumored for several weeks has now become official.  Evan Smotrycz will be leaving Reading Memorial High School in Massachusetts and transferring to the New Hampton School in New Hampshire.  Smotrycz will repeat his junior year and reclassify to the class of 2010 at the NEPSAC class A school. 

Smotrycz is a prospect that first came onto the national recruiting scene last summer when he won the MVP award at a session of the Eastern Invitational Basketball Camp.  Since then he has quickly become a player who has generated recruiting interest from numerous mid to high major programs from the eastern half of the country. 

When we first saw Smotrycz play last August at the Scott Hazelton Basketball Camp, we were amazed by his versatile skill set.  For a player who was just 15 years old and already 6’8” he possessed a startling blend of talents.  He was a good spot up shooter, he could go off the dribble, bring his man to the low post, or set his teammates up with his passing ability.  He was only missing two things: a fully developed body and the experience of playing against other top players on a consistent basis.  Now, he should be able to address both of those issues, and in so doing, give himself a chance to play at the highest levels of college basketball. 

When most players reclassify they are getting an edge on the competition because they get compared to players a year younger.  But for Smotrycz, that isn’t the case at all.  He was actually young for his grade to begin with and will now be compared to players his own age for the first time when ranked nationally in the class of 2010.  But he will also have a chance to test himself against some of the best players in the country as class A of the NEPSAC is perhaps the toughest league of basketball anywhere in the country. 

Before Smotrycz arrives at New Hampton, he will continue to have a busy summer with the Mass Rivals AAU club.  Smotrycz and his teammates will be traveling to Hoop Mountain Super Week II, Joe Brown Memorial Tournament in New Jersey, Adidas Super 64 Tournament in Las Vegas, and the Best of the Summer Tournament in Los Angeles.  And don’t be surprised if the super skilled forward has a parade of coaches following him from coast to coast next month.