Ashton-Langford building his game
For the past two summers, the Mass Rivals summer team could count on the point guard play of Connecticut-bound five-star Jalen Adams. It's looking as if they are set for the next two summers with the emergence of four-star Makai Ashton-Langford.
A 6-foot-1 point guard at Ashburnham (Mass.) Cushing who currently ranks No. 43 in the class of 2017, Ashton-Langford is a playmaker off the dribble. Still skinny, Ashton-Langford has added strength to his 165-pound frame and he's seen the benefits.
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"The strength helps me a lot," said Ashton-Langford. "If I need to get by somebody I can use my strength to push them down in the paint. Or if I take a bump from a big man I can finish or dish off for an easy bucket."
The name of the game for Ashton-Langford is speed. He hits holes with quickness, pushes the tempo and tries to create for himself and others.
"I think that I'm a creator first," Ashton-Langford said. "But, I can score and that causes the defense to get in on me and makes it easy to get it to my teammates. I like taking it to the basket; I can finish above the rim."
In addition to getting stronger, Ashton-Langford is looking to address his jump-shooting. He is aware that he needs to get his shooting and defense up to speed if he wants to make things easier on himself.
"I'm working on my defense and my jump-shooting," Ashton-Langford said. "College defenses aren't going to come out to guard me if they think I can only do one thing and take it to the basket.
"I can get better in the high pick-and-roll and learning how to read it."
So far, Ashton-Langford has scholarship offers from Boston College, Providence, St. Bonaventure and Rhode Island. He's open to all suitors as he looks to boost his profile, but if he can stay close to home it would be a positive.
"At least a little bit close," he said. "If I can't do that then I'll go wherever they have the most interest in me."
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