New England Three-Level Scorers
Many players in the region have been successful scoring the basketball efficiently from the inside and outside. Athletes have put on display their full offensive arsenal and are matchup nightmares for defenses. Here are a few lethal three-level scorers in…
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Continue ReadingMany players in the region have been successful scoring the basketball efficiently from the inside and outside. Athletes have put on display their full offensive arsenal and are matchup nightmares for defenses. Here are a few lethal three-level scorers in New England.
Brian Carleton – Tewksbury Memorial High – 5’7” – PG – 2023 (pictured above)
Carleton can light it up from the outside. He is an excellent shooter off the dribble and uses hesitation moves, and change of tempo so that he can create enough space to fire from deep. A maestro in the pick and roll, Carleton comes off the screen and does not hesitate to show off his unlimited range when the defender unwisely goes under the screen. He is also terrific at penetrating and getting into the mid-range off the pick and roll, making the opposing bigs pay for not stepping up and contesting his jump shot. At 5’7”, the Tewksbury floor general is fearless, endlessly attacking the basket, and shows tremendous body control when absorbing contact and drawing fouls. Using his upper body strength to finish after a foul, Carleton makes it count at the free-throw line with his proficient free-throw shooting.
Jack McMullen – East Greenwich/Basketball Club RI – 5’11” – SG – 2021
The newest member of East Greenwich High’s “1000-point club” McMullen is one of the most polished scoring guards. McMullin’s 54 performance against Rogers High was a paradigm of how he can impact the game offensively at all three-levels. His school-record 13 threes were highly impressive, but the innovation of the three-point conversions is what made that historic night special. McMullin was breaking down his man off the dribble, creating separation with a step back and connecting. He was catch and shooting from 5 feet plus beyond the arc. When Rogers High showed a 2-3, McMullen made them pay by finding open areas beyond the line and converting with confidence. Contested or uncontested, McMullin is such a gifted shooter with excellent technique and nothing seems to phase him. His movement off the ball was great to see as well. Curling hard off screens aggressively and instead of settling for jump shots, he would take it strong to the hoop. Showing off his soft touch when finishing at the rim, McMullin checks all the boxes for a bonafide scorer.
Joe Nugent – Somerset Berkley Regional High/Bay State Jaguars – 6’6” – SF/SG/PF – 2023
The South Coast Conference (SCC) leading scorer and three-point shooter, Joe Nugent, is a defender’s worst nightmare when they match up with him one on one. The 6’6” lefty attacks the hoop with power and finishes with a ferocious slam dunk. He is so athletic that he blows by defenders easily with a speed dribble but has an array of dribble moves he can use to create separation to pull up on the defense. His size and length allow him to shoot right over the defense, so if the opposing team refuses to get right up in his air space, Nugent will elevate and connect on long-range jumpers effortlessly. The versatile forward does a lot of damage off the dribble but is a threat off the ball as well. His top-notch conditioning allows him to run off screens for catch and shoot opportunities continuously. Off the catch, Nugent is in rare air, where he has several scoring options to choose from. The sophomore can catch and shoot, pump fake and drive hard to the paint, shot fake into a dribble pull-up, or use his strength and size to back down defenders and score in the post.
Pat Spenard – St. Andrews School/BABC – 6’9” – PF – 2023
Spenard shows great touch around the basket and is virtually unstoppable when he catches the ball deep in the post. With the ability to score over each shoulder in the post, along with a plethora of other post moves at his disposal, the 6’9” forward is a sure two points when backing down. Spenard has excellent footwork, and it is displayed when he catches the ball out on the perimeter. A reliable stretch 4 who can knock down the three-pointer with ease, Spenard will occasionally show a ball fake and get into the midrange and pull-up. Due to his efficient catch and shoot ability, the St. Andrews big man can dominate the pick and pop game. He can also put the ball on the deck and use a combination of strength, hop steps, and spin moves to maneuver to the basket. Possessing all these offensive tools at his size and position is valuable for any team Spenard plays on.
Jaaden Simpkins – Thayer Academy – 6’1” – PG – 2023
Simpkins isolation package is top tier. He has a quick first step and can stop on a dime and pull up before the second line of defense has time to contest. One-on-one Simpkins is so fast, agile, and under control with the basketball, it is hard to stay in front of him. Not just a player who can score penetrating the lane, but will break the defender’s ankles and convert some of the most jaw-dropping stepbacks you will see. To have the concentration, body control, and accuracy to create a deep three-point attempt as routinely as Simpkins does is highly impressive and speaks to how explosive of a scorer he is. His change of pace in the half-court and keeping the defense off-balance creates so many scoring opportunities for Simpkins and makes him so lethal when the ball is in his hands.