WALTHAM, Mass. – With the spring winding down, the Boston Warriors and Mass Elite got together to host a college showcase for their programs. They got together on this last year and opted to do so again this time around, with results satisfying to both programs. A few other players joined in on the evening, with a good turnout of college coaches as well.
While last year’s showcase had more size up front, this year’s might have had a better lineup of wings. There were also some good underclassmen, so in all there was plenty to see at Waltham High School.
Here’s a look at a few who stood out on the evening.
Niles Cohen (Jr. PG, Cambridge (MA) Beaver Country Day School) He might not pass the “look” test at first, as his body won’t jump out at you, but this left-handed guard was a constant factor. He hit from long range and also used a nice hesitation move at times to get by his man and score.
Spencer Danforth (6’1″ Jr. SG, Danvers (MA) St. John’s Prep) His body has some to go, but he really competed and was in a lot of plays on the evening. He shot the ball well out to long range, handled and impacted the game every minute he was out there.
Jake Kakar (6’4″ Jr. SG, Lakeville (MA) Apponequet Regional HS) Probably the best shooter in the gym on the evening, he didn’t miss much. During shooting drills, he slowly moved back with each shot and kept hitting, and that didn’t stop once the game action was underway. There, he also made some transition plays.
John Korte (6’3″ Fr. SF, Watertown (MA) High) Active forward was in a lot of plays, especially on the glass as he got several stickbacks. He’s an undersized forward now, but he can grow more and plays in a winning program, so he’ll be worth keeping an eye on.
Derek Lamparelli (6’2″ So. SG-SF, Stoughton (MA) Rivers School) An active forward, he has a good frame and seemed to be in constant motion, and as a result was in a lot of plays. He hit a couple of jumpers and finished inside, including in transition.
Joey Luchetti (6’5″ So. SF-PF, Groton (MA) Lawrence Academy) Perhaps the best prospect in his program, he has a good body that can still develop and the tools to play some of both forward spots.
Charles Mitchell (5’11” So. PG, Hyde Park (MA) New Mission School) He’s back this spring from an injury that cost him the school season, and showing no ill effects. He handled and passed the ball often on the evening.
Charlie Mitchell (5’11” So. PG, Hyde Park (MA) New Mission School) Charles’ twin brother is a similar player but might have had a little better evening. He made a lot of good passes on the evening, and later started to get a few baskets, including from mid-range, though scoring isn’t his or his brother’s forte.
Julian Nyland (6’2″ Jr. SG, Melrose (MA) High) At first glance, he won’t leap out at you, and he’s not the most physically gifted player, but he was very effective on the evening. He moves his feet well on defense, got a couple of stickbacks from being active and also hit from mid-range off the bounce.
Eric Sellew (6’6″ Jr. PF, Concord (MA) Concord-Carlisle HS) Well-built post player has solid tools to score inside, though he also went away from the basket at times on the evening. He had a tough time scoring early on, but was better later on.
P.J. Tucker (6’3″ Jr. SG, Chestnut Hill (MA) Beaver Country Day School) You can’t help but notice this well-built athlete, and he was in a lot of the action as well. He got to the basket often and looks very good in the open floor, and he can use his body well and finish through contact. While he can handle some, the ball skills need some more work, though his jumper looked shaky.
Terrell Williams (6’3″ Jr. SG, Bridgewater (MA) Bridgewater-Raynam Regional HS) He played well at this event last year, and did so again this time around. The lefty is a plus athlete and has some to go physically.
