Zero Gravity/NERR Super 16 Varsity Division Standouts

Steven Cordero 6’0 Combo Guard 2023 (Boston Warriors/Everett HS): Cordero has a very good pull-up in the mid-range. Gets to it well when attacking closeouts, coming off a ball screen, or using a sharp crossover move to create separation. If an opponent stops him in the lane on a drive to the rim, he has a smooth turnaround jumper in the mid-post area. Cordero can stretch the floor from beyond long range. Makes three-pointers at a solid rate on open standstill attempts. While getting buckets is his bread butter, he can also make plays for others. Finds teammates for high percentage finishing opportunities in the half-court with pocket passes on ball screens. Cordero does a nice job hitting streaking teammates for layups on the break.

Michael Feroci 6’2 Shooting Guard 2023 (House We Built Select/Winchendon School): Feroci has a reliable shot from three-point range. Makes treys at a solid rate off movement or on standstill attempts. Has the ability to put the ball on the floor when attacking closeouts. Scores proficiently around the rim in traffic with his explosiveness. Feroci moves well without the ball. When an opponent overplays him on the perimeter, he makes quick backdoor cuts for high percentage finishing opportunities around the basket. Feroci has nice instincts being around the ball when it comes off the rim for offensive rebound putbacks. Defensively, he uses his leaping ability and length to make it difficult for opponents to rise over him. Also has a high motor and strong frame to make his presence felt on the defensive glass.

Jared Berry 6’1 Point Guard 2023 (Metro Boston/Vermont Academy): Berry does an admirable job of balancing getting his teammates involved, while also making it clear to the defense he is a scoring threat. Is a solid passer against a set defense or when pushing the ball on the break. Regularly gets into the lane with his good burst, finding teammates for open treys on drive and kicks. Berry creates good looks for teammates in transition with quick-hit-aheads for three-pointers or layups. Can finish around the rim against bigger defenders. Has a soft touch high off the glass with either hand. Needs to be accounted for from beyond the arc. Makes treys effectively when spotting up. Defensively, he generates steals well. Uses quick hands, ripping the ball from opposing point guards when they are not strong with their handle.

Rashid Nikiema 6’4 Combo Forward 2022 (Green Mountain Select/Montpelier HS): Nikiema is a true stretch forward who defenders cannot leave open. Gets a good arc on his shot. Hits three-pointers at a good rate on the move or when spotting up. Has intriguing pick and pop potential for the next level. He has the ball skills to start a fast break when corralling a rebound. Nikiema shows flashes of getting by opponents in transition with a behind-the-back or crossover move. Also uses his fluidity and explosiveness to regularly beat opposing forwards down the floor for finishes above the rim. Defensively, he is a solid rim protector. Has good mobility when coming over the weak side to block or alter opponents’ shots around the basket. Nikiema is also constantly active on the glass, outworking opponents to corral key rebounds.

Cam Estevez 6’3 Combo Guard 2023 (Riverside Hawks/Canterbury School): Estevez regularly gets into the paint with his quick crossover or inside-out moves to create for himself and others. Can stop on a dime to get to his soft mid-range pull-up. When a help defender rotates over to him in the lane, he can create space to get to his pull-up with a sharp behind-the-back move. Estevez can also score over bigger opponents closer to the rim with a smooth runner. Finds teammates well with drop-offs for high percentage finishing opportunities. Is a reliable shooter from beyond the arc. Needs very little time and space to get his attempts off. Makes treys on standstill attempts or when pulling up out of ball screens. Estevez has good speed as a transition playmaker, pushing the ball to hit cutting teammates for layups.

Sawyer Fox 6’5 Combo Forward 2023 (BCRI/Old Rochester Regional HS): Fox is a solid shooter from the perimeter. Excels at hitting three-pointers when spotting up. Does a nice job of regularly taking long-range attempts within the flow of his team’s offense. Rarely takes ill-advised shots. While Fox does a lot of damage from deep, there is more to his game. If an opponent closes out sharply on him to take away his long ball, he can put the ball on the floor and get to the basket. He finishes effectively around the rim with his good body control and leaping ability. Shows in spurts an ability to take defenders off the dribble and hit two-dribble fifteen-foot pull-ups. Defensively, Fox blocks shots at a solid rate. Uses his anticipation, explosiveness, and length effectively when rotating over from the help side.

Noah Beaudet 6’0 Shooting Guard 2023 (Middlesex Magic/Norwood HS): Beaudet is a terrific shooter from beyond the arc who can get hot in a hurry. Has compact form with deep range on his shot. Makes three-pointers on spot-up or pull-up attempts and when coming off screens. Beaudet is more than just a shooter. Has a reliable in-between game. Gets to his high-arching teardrop or smooth pull-up effectively when attacking closeouts. Also uses a sharp rip-through move in isolation situations to get to his spots in the mid-range. If an opponent takes away his scoring angles in the mid-range, he has the feel and vision to find teammates for dump-off layups. Beaudet is a good defensive rebounder for his position. Has good instincts being around the ball when it comes off the rim. Also uses his strong frame to battle against bigger opponents for position.

Aaron Talbert 6’0 Point Guard 2023 (Boys 2 Men/Scotland Campus): Talbert gets into the paint consistently with his good burst, creative handle, or sharp jab-step move. Generates good separation getting to his mid-range pull-up with a step-back move. Creates better scoring angles for himself around the rim with a quick spin-move. Talbert has a soft finishing touch with either hand high off the glass to score over bigger defenders. Is also a consistent long-range threat. Hits treys at a solid rate on standstill attempts or when pulling up off ball screens. Finds teammates well in the half-court on drive and kicks for open threes. Rewards teammates running the floor hard in transition with precise hit-ahead passes for high percentage layups. Talbert is a good on-ball defender. Uses his lateral quickness and well-built frame to make it difficult for opposing point guards to get dribble penetration against him.