New England Names to Know: Part III
Part three introduces us to five athletes from the class of 2022 who have been flying under the radar all season long. These players have played at an extremely high level and deserve a lot more recognition than they have…
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Continue ReadingPart three introduces us to five athletes from the class of 2022 who have been flying under the radar all season long. These players have played at an extremely high level and deserve a lot more recognition than they have been given. With them all having incredible breakout years, these are names that we will get used to seeing moving forward.
Benny Nguyen – Rockland – 6’2” – SF – 2022
Nguyen is a player who can fit on any team in the state because of his ability to shoot and play defense. One of the most versatile defenders you will see, Nguyen has the lateral quickness and strength to guard positions 1-4 and accepts the challenge of being the defensive stopper for Rockland. Nguyen, one of the more conditioned athletes, will pick up the ball handler full-court and is excellent at forcing turnovers. With the ability to take any offensive player out of rhythm, the 6’2” wing uses his size and length to contest jump shots and make even the best shooters look pedestrian. Nguyen is a talented offensive player who possesses the skills to score 15-20 points; but on a Rockland team where they have bonafide scorers like Patrick Moriarty and Derek Williams, Nguyen does not need to be that guy. Instead, he has settled nicely into the knockdown shooter’s role, where he is automatic from the corner. His max effort on defense combined with his elite three-point shooting makes Nguyen one of the most valuable forwards in the South Shore League.
Chris Paul – Melrose High – 6’1” – PG – 2022
Chris Paul is a valuable player to have on a young Melrose team. He does a great job setting the tempo on offense, staying composed, and galvanizing the team, which has led to the team’s success thus far. A nightly double-double threat, Paul can put on an absolute show with his flashy passing, and overall can see the court better than most in the Middlesex League. When attacking the basket, he can score easily because the defense plays for him to pass, which leads to easy baskets or pull-up mid-range jumpers. You really notice his impact when he is off the court. For example, in a game vs. Wilmington, Paul came out, and Melrose was a -7 on the court; but during the possessions where Paul was on the floor, Melrose was a +11. That differential shows his value when he is in charge of initiating the offense. What is also missed when Paul is on the bench is the team loses their best defender. Responsible for guarding the opposing team’s best player, he is a pest on defense, and he makes it very hard for the opposing team to score. He does a great job cutting off driving lanes and slides his feet well. Paul’s late-game intangibles also stand out. In the 4th quarter, he wants the ball in his hands to make the play; and with the game on the line, he embraces being the player to close out games.
Lateef Patrick – Milton High – 6’2” – PG – 2022
Patrick is averaging 22.1 points a game, and he is just getting warmed up. So physically gifted, Patrick uses his strength and athleticism to get into the paint to finish over anyone. Although he is so aggressive in scoring, he does an excellent job moving the ball on offense and makes an effort to get the best shot possible on each possession. He does a good job reading the defense and knows when to attack, when to pull up and shoot, and when to dish it off to one of his teammates. At 6’2, 191Ibs, Patrick is a locomotive coming at you full steam in transition where you have no choice but to foul him. So strong, he can absorb any contact and finish while also being an efficient free throw shooter. On defense, he is brilliant at getting back tap steals, and those lead to a lot of easy bunny layups for him. Patrick engulfs his offensive assignment when matched up with them, using his wingspan and size advantage to keep the ball handler from scoring. He is an automatic 20 point scorer and has the talent and skillset to eclipse 30 points a game regularly.
Diamond Blakely – Brockton High/VA Prep Sports Academy – 5’9” – PG – 2022
The Brockton native took his talents to Virginia Prep Sports Academy for his junior year, where he is averaging 15 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals in the young season. Blakely is the kind of leader you want running your team. He plays all out, especially on the defensive end, sacrificing his body, taking charges, and setting the tone for his team. His hawk slides on defense will go unappreciated because it will not pop up on the stat sheet. He moves his feet so well when defending and makes an effort to force the ball handler baseline, and rarely gets beaten middle. On offense, one would think that his height would put him at a disadvantage when scoring, but because he has the elite ball-handling ability and a lightning-quick crossover, it makes him extremely hard to guard. It is difficult to stay in front of the 5’9” floor general because you have to get so low in a defensive stance, and if you don’t, Blakely will torch you to the hoop. His superior upper body strength overpowers small guards and has the shooting stroke to hit shots over them. He is one of the most fearful players under 6’0” who can beat you at every level on offense while shutting down opponents on the other end.
Jaeden Greenleaf – Cape Cod Academy – 6’1” – PG – 2022
Coming off a year where he averaged 25 points a game, Greenleaf has come out unstoppable this season, posting 39.6 points a game on 66% shooting. The junior has been in a zone this season, surpassing 30 points in 4 games this year, with one of those games being a 57-point outburst against Sturgis West. What is fascinating about Greenleaf’s game is that he does most of his damage from the outside. He does not rely on speed, elevation, and athleticism to score. Through crafty ball-handling and footwork, Greenleaf can get to any spot he wants on the court and punish defenses. He is a phenomenal shooter who strikes fear in any defense as soon as he crosses midcourt. When you watch him off the ball, he uses screens brilliantly. Always setting up his defender, he runs hard off picks and effortlessly makes shots repeatedly. Greenleaf draws numerous fouls when shooting threes, and a lot of the time, those result in 4 point plays. Greenleaf’s concentration is extraordinary in that he can be dialed in to make a 25-foot shot while initiating contact. His scoring prowess starts and ends in practice. One of the hardest-working players in the gym, he makes an effort to sharpen his skills so that he can put up these mind-blowing stats. Greenleaf has turned into one of Massachusetts’ most polished and dangerous scorers when you combine his volume scoring and efficiency.