Vermont gets first 2021 commitment

Yesterday Vermont received the first commitment in their 2021 class from Sam Alamutu, a 6'5 guard from Ajax, Ontario. Out of the players that Vermont had offered during this past recruiting cycle, Alamutu was the guy I wanted Vermont to land. He is poised to be the next star guard from Canada, following in the footsteps of Trae Bell-Haynes and Stef Smith. He will also be the third player from Ajax, Ontario on the roster, joining Stef Smith and Eric Beckett. Alamutu is a big strong guard capable of dominating the game on both ends of the floor. Like Bell-Haynes and Smith, Alamutu is incredibly driven to be the best, and dedicated to getting better. He traveled a long way to play his prep ball at the Rothesay Netherwood school in New Brunswick where he is a prefect (Harry Potter fans rejoice!) and his coaches rave about his leadership and intangibles. I have been watching his highlight video periodically for months and find myself daydreaming at what he could bring to the Catamounts. Alamutu is tenacious going to the hole and can finish above the rim. He also has a nice pull up jumper and looks to have the tools to be a strong outside shooter. He is also a strong rebounder from the guard position. Alamutu uses his size and strength to his advantage on the defensive end with the ability to guard multiple positions. He is the perfect fit in the system at Vermont where his size and strength at the guard position will continue to give the Cats the ability to be a lockdown defensive team. He is a future team leader and could develop into one of the best players in the league. This quote from North Pole Hoops perfectly sums up his potential:

"There’s been deep study on this type of talent and those before him from Canada who are now in the NBA. North Pole Hoops’ scouting team has evaluated Alamutu in every environment possible and he checks off all the vital boxes that make up a pro at the highest levels."

I am beyond excited about Alamutu's future with the Vermont program and despite what has to be the strangest and most difficult recruiting cycle the coaching staff has faced, the Cats continue to knock it out of the park.