Prospect Profile: Ethan McEachern (2021 Blair Academy/Lakeridge HS/Nike Team Northwest 16U)
Ethan McEachern has certainly played against good competition playing at Lakeridge High School these past two years. But the rising 6-foot-1, 180-pound guard is getting a taste of an even higher level of play on the AAU circuit this spring. Suiting up for Nike Team Northwest’s 16U squad, MacEachern got a chance to play against some big-time players and it’s helping prepare him for the environment he’ll be experiencing next fall.
In the spring, McEachern played with Nike Team Northwest on the EYBL circuit at the 16U level. “Everyone was quicker, faster, and stronger on the East Coast,” McEachern said. “But we competed every game and it was a good experience and I think we can win some games this summer. I played pretty well – I played some at the one and the two. I was able to score the ball a little more but at the same time play my pass-first point guard game. I did a pretty good job and didn’t turn the ball over.”
The experience playing against some of the best 16U players in the country is helping McEachern prepare himself for next season. His father Archie recently took a job in China so with his family moving overseas, he’s going to be moving himself to the East Coast to play at Blair Academy. The connection? Blair Academy head coach Joe Mantegna and Archie McEachern were college teammates at Ithaca College. The younger McEachern recently went on a trip East and got a good look at everything.
“All the guards are bigger stronger and more physical, so I’m working on getting stronger and quicker,” McEachern said. “The team is loaded with a bunch of D-I talent, so it will be good to get out there and make a name for myself, try to grow and get myself some more college interest.”
McEachern attended elite camp at Brown and is getting early interest from the Bears, as well as Patriot League members Lehigh and Lafayette. The high-academic, low-major Division I interest he’s receiving is right up his alley. “Those types of schools are the best fit for myself,” McEachern said. “I’m a pretty good student and it just fits my style of play: a lot of shooters, a lot of ball movement, high IQ players – I like that.”
McEachern is hoping a solid July with Nike Team Northwest will lead to some early college options before he gets ready for the next school year at Blair Academy. “I want to try and pick up an offer by the end of the summer,” McEachern said. “And try to win one of the three tournaments we’ll be playing in.”
McEachern currently ranks as the #21 player in the PrepHoops Class of 2020 rankings.