Unsigned Senior Spotlight - Dan Braster
Cushing Academy's unsigned 6-foot-8 senior wing Dan Braster has been consistently raising the level of his game over the course of the last year, and just wrapped up a very successful senior campaign for the Penguins. The team finished their regular season 15-0 atop the NEPSAC AA division and qualified for a spot in the field of the National Prep Championship.
Braster, who is originally from Long Island, began his high school career sharing a backcourt with Cole Anthony at Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens, where he played on some of the biggest stages high school basketball has to offer including the City of Palms, Spalding HoopHall Classic, and SNY Invitational among others.
Despite his early experiences, Braster’s time in the NEPSAC has clearly helped his development as he’s continued to add inches to his frame, while filling out his physique, and learning to play through a new level of contact. Everything began to click for him last summer, when he shined at both the NEPSAC Showcase in June as well as the NCAA Basketball Academy in July, earning his first division I offer in the process and reportedly hearing from a dozen other division I programs.
His game continued to ascend this fall, when he stood out in various open gyms at Cushing, before opening the season with an 18-point 12-rebound performance at the National Prep Showcase. He finished the season averaging 10.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game for a Cushing team that went 23-6 overall while converting 48% of his attempts from behind the three-point line.
Along the way he’s added more scholarship offers, from nationally ranked division II programs, but continues to explore his options and look for the best fit.
Prospect Profile
Height: 6'8"
Position: Wing
School: Cushing Academy
AAU: New York Lightning Select
By the Numbers
2019-20 Stats: 10.3ppg, 4.5rpg, & 48% 3pt (52-109)
Academics: 1190 SAT; Full Academic Qualifier
Personal Statement
I pride myself on hard work, I am a gym rat and love competing every day. With the help of the Cushing coaching staff I have gotten a lot stronger, which has helped my defense and rebounding abilities. At 6’8 with a 6’11 wingspan, I can create mismatches with my ball handling skills and 3PT shooting ability. I can shoot over smaller players and use my athletic ability to get by taller ones. I see the court well, and can push tempo in the open court when needed. I also love being able to break full court pressure where my size allows me to go over the top with pass, or around with my handle. Nothing beats a nice assist to a teammate. As Coach Cormier preaches #getbettereveryday
Recommendation
"Dan turned the corner this year and he is absolutely a scholarship level player. His ceiling is very high, with a college weight room and improved maturity, his ceiling is very high. His skill level for a 6-foot-8 guard is already ready for college basketball. He is labeled as a three-point driller, but his best basketball is played in transition. His length makes him a threat to score at the rim and his vision allows him to make plays for others."
- James Cormier, Head Coach, Cushing Academy
"Daniel Braster is a multi-dimensional threat on the offensive end, where he can play the one through four. At 6-foot-8, he is a pure shooter from three off both the catch and the dribbles. He handles very well for his size, sees the floor like a one, and his tear drop is high percentage. With his size defensively, he can guard the three through five positions and can start the break off the rebound on his own."
- Jesse Shapire, Head Coach, New York Lightning Select
Scouting Report
"Dan's skill-set put him on a D1 trajectory when he was an underclassmen back at Monsignor Scanlon. Since then, he's grown another three inches and now there just aren't many guys his size who can do what he does with the ball in his hands, not just from a three-point shooting and floor-spacing perspective but also with his ability to shoot off the dribble, the deep release point that allows him to get his shot off without much separation, and his instincts in the open floor. While he's continued to evolve in all of those areas over the years, I think where he's shown probably the most growth, especially within the last year, is with his body and approach. He's still got to continue getting stronger, but he's gradually getting more comfortable with contact and maturing with his habits. Prospects and coaches don't usually want to talk about that stuff, but they're huge indicators of future success, and when prospects show the maturation to grow in those areas, I think they deserve credit. "
- Adam Finkelstein, ESPN & NERR
Video Highlights
Dan Braster