Rising Class of 2026 prospect Ethan Butler updates recruitment | Zagsblog
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Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
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Monday / February 17.
  • Rising Class of 2026 prospect Ethan Butler updates recruitment

    By ZACH SMART

    FRESH MEADOWS, N.Y. — Ethan Butler, the Class of 2026 St. Francis Prep (NY) guard, entered Tuesday’s NY CHSAA “AA” matchup against Christ The King averaging 18 points and 7.2 boards in a four-game span.

    The 6-foot-6 Butler, a Manhattan native who has improved incrementally in all phases of his game, scored 11 of SFP’s first 18 points, splashing a corner 3-pointer and getting free for a lay-in. In the second quarter, a balanced SFP team predicated on fluid ball movement and a commitment to the extra pass built a double-digit lead which they never came close to squandering.

    Butler leaked out into the open court and crammed a dazzling left-handed dunk, sending a jam-packed gym into a frenzy. A high-academic recruit, Butler finished with 17 points and eight rebounds as SFP stamped a convincing 75-61 victory to remain undefeated in conference play.

    SFP’s hulking, versatile 6-foot-7 forward Oesoemana Sacko, who has now picked up an offer from Siena, scored 18 points and grabbed eight boards to go with three blocked shots.

    After a significant showing during CHSAA team camp and a summer spent making conditioning a livelihood, Butler is starting to hear from an array of Division-I programs.

    “I’ve been hearing from some of the regional programs that have been in to see me play like Siena, Stony Brook, Quinnipiac, Fairfield, Princeton, Manhattan, Iona, and Columbia,” said Butler.

    The Manhattan native was offered by Iona head coach Tobin Anderson back on Jan. 7th. His relentlessness on the glass and multi-positional defensive aptitude have been noteworthy during this ascension.

    “I envision myself playing the two through the four at the next level,” the Manhattan native explained. “I would describe myself as a big guard who shoots the three, rebounds, gets to the basket and can play out the post.”

    While Butler has a bulldozer with a consistent outside stroke in Sacko alongside him, SFP is led by a high-octane, uncommitted 6-foot Class of 2025 point guard Vere Anthony.

    Anthony, who recently attained the 1000-point milestone, erupted for 43 points during a 76-67 win over Nazareth on January 7th. He’s a traditional point guard bolstered by shiftiness and a knack for knifing his way to the rim.

    “We can all go on offense,” Butler said of the troika he, Sacko, and Anthony are rapidly evolving into.

    “If a team’s focus is to take one of us away from the offensive end, then the other one can go and really take over the game at times.”

    Butler’s commitment to being a scholarship-worthy player, he said, has come with the right people nurturing his day to day development.

    “I owe a lot to Book Richardson and Ross Burns,” Butler explained. “Since middle school, Book has been developing my game. He’s been pushing me to compete at a highest level possible. I’ve worked with Ross to help polish my shooting and guard skill set. (Brian) Harrington has really helped me along the way, getting my body right.” Butler has made campus visits to Yale, Columbia, Manhattan, and Iona.

    “I enjoyed all of my visits, because each school had different and unique things that appealed to me.

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    Written by

    Zagoria@hotmail.com

    Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.

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