J.P. Estrella, Ryder Frost and Quinn Costello are among the names in recent Middlesex Magic history who have ascended as the biggest stock-risers in the country during their 17U seasons.
Is Declan Griffiths next in line?
The 6-foot-7 wing from Simsbury, Conn. – who’s No. 9 in our New England Class of 2027 rankings – is on the right track. He picked up his first Big Ten offer from Northwestern earlier this month and he’s off to a very strong start to the grassroots season. A long, athletic wing and one of the best 3-point shooters in New England, Griffiths fits the profile of several past Magic greats like Frost, Costello and even Duncan Robinson.
“He loves to work. He’s a great teammate. He works extremely hard and he’s not selfish. It usually works out for those guys,” Middlesex Magic director Michael Crotty said. “Obviously, he’s coming on the heels of Quinn, on the heels of Ryder, on the heels of some other really, really tremendous, high-level shooters with size that I think would be the major archetype there. I think now, some people are like, hey, there’s the Magic’s next great wing driller. What I’m excited about is he can do a lot more. He can put it on the deck, he’s super athletic, plays way above the rim, he’s getting more physical on both ends of the floor, rebounding the ball better. I think you’re going to see a more well-rounded player than maybe what people expected. …
“I do think he has the opportunity to be singularly himself but at the same time, fall in line with a really good group of Magic guys who have come before him. … I think for him, there’s going to be some traction of, wow, look at all those translatable and transferrable skills and the athleticism. And like Quinn, they can look at a body that’s gotten better, but has a lot of room to grow. So when you’re productive as hell and your potential still kind of outkicks that, that’s pretty cool.”
I caught up with Griffiths at a recent Magic practice for a Q&A. Our conversation covered his goals this season with the Magic, what he’s looking for in his college destination, his transfer to Newman next season and much more.
This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Last year, you got a little taste of playing up on the 17U team during the July live period and performed really well. Did that give you any extra confidence? What did that experience teach you?
“It was a great experience getting to see what that 17s level is like. Obviously more physical, bigger players. I mean, my confidence kind of stayed the same throughout the whole summer. I was confident on 16s and when I got pulled up to 17s, it stayed the same. I was just in a little bit different of a role. Not quite as many minutes because it was an older team, better team. But same thing, just get in, do my thing, help the team win as much as I can.”
You got the Northwestern offer (on April 13). What did that feel like? What does that one mean to you?
“It felt great, to be honest. It was on my way home from practice. Coach (Bryant) McIntosh called me. It felt great. I was really, really excited about it. It’s my first Big Ten offer and that’s one of the best conferences in college basketball, so super psyched about that. I think my confidence stayed the same; it’s just rewarding to feel that. I’ve worked really hard the past, I would say four years, but really my entire life, I’ve been working hard on this.”
When you look at your fit in a college program, what are you looking for in a potential school when you do eventually commit? What are the big priorities that you want in a program?
“I really look for programs that have had players that I think play like me and fit my play style. Obviously I would say my main thing is shooting, so I like programs that shoot a lot of 3s, I like teams that spread the floor and then I’ve really started to develop and gotten better at attacking closeouts and getting downhill. Just watching a lot of college games, seeing what teams have players that are like me and thrive in that program and just go from there.”
What are your goals for the spring and summer? What are you hoping to improve on? Do you have goals?
“I definitely have goals. I have a sheet of paper in my room with all my goals, so at the top of the list is winning UAA (Under Armour Association circuit). That’s the main goal. Coach Crotty is always saying, play for each other and that’s why we’re the best team. I think that 100 percent is true. If we’re winning games, we’re going to get looked at. It doesn’t matter who has 10 points or who has 20; if you win games, coaches want winners. That’s at the top of my list: winning UAA.”
You’re going to Newman next season. What excites you about that opportunity?
“I’m super excited about that. I watched them play in the NEPSAC championship against Hoosac and then I watched every single one of their games at the national prep championship and I was just like yeah, this is the place. I watched them for five minutes and I’m thinking this is where I need to be. Their style fits me perfectly and it’s the highest level I can play at, so I’m just super excited. I think Coach Jackson Johnson does a great job getting those guys ready for college, so I’m very excited for the opportunity.”
How would you describe yourself as a player?
“I would say obviously, everyone sees me shoot and that’s probably my main thing. But also, I can really jump and so that’s where I’m trying to get better at: going downhill and take one dribble and just get up and dunk it, so I think that’s what I always try to work on. … If I keep doing that more and more — keep finding the open guy, making good reads, good passes, and I think that’s what I need to get better at — but once I do that, I don’t think anybody can guard me.”
How did you become such a good shooter?
“That’s been my thing. I mean, my dad was a professional player overseas and he can really shoot it, especially towards the end of his career. When he played in Europe, he really became a shooter. I have a hoop in my driveway, so he’s been teaching me how to shoot since I was a kid. I’ve always just been good at it.”
Are there NBA players or college players who you enjoy watching or maybe model your game after in any way?
“I look at a lot of different guys. I look at Kevin Durant, I look at Duncan Robinson obviously, a Magic guy and then in college, I look at Braylon Mullins. I would say those three guys I like to watch a lot. I like to take bits and pieces from people’s games, like a little bit of Keaton Wagler. He’s more of a point guard than I am but I think he’s a bigger guy who can hit shots really well. And I love his passing which I think is an area I can really thrive in if I get better at putting the ball on the floor, so I’ve been watching him do that.”
Do you listen to music before games? Do you have a favorite pregame hype song?
“I always listen to music before games. Honestly, I just throw on Lil Baby and it gets me fired up.”
Do you have a pregame routine?
“I always start with my shoes off, I start with the green band on my feet, ankle circles, hamstring stretches and go from there and then do a little bit of one-legged balance, get those ankles ready, get my balance ready and then do some form shooting and I’m ready to go.”
What are some things outside of basketball that you enjoy?
“I like playing video games, especially with my brother. He’s in college right now (at Temple), so we play online sometimes so that’s really fun. We play Fortnite, so that’s what I do a lot in my free time.”
