Wolfeboro, N.H. – Prior to game time Wednesday, Brewster Academy guard Solomon Ball worked on a variety of moves.

A member of UConn’s top-five ranked recruiting class, Ball took a few step-back jumpers, a shot that former Husky great Kemba Walker perfected, breaking ankles ... and hearts ... during his career.

“I watch him a lot,” Ball said. “My three favorite guys are him, Jeremy Lamb, Shabazz (Napier). It’s crazy that they were all on the same (2011 national championship) team. They’re my favorite three players, for sure. And, of course, Ray Allen.”

Ball knows his UConn basketball history, and he can’t wait to be a part of a program that’s captured four national championships and sent numerous players to the NBA.

Before heading to practice Tuesday night, Ball watched some of UConn’s impressive win over No. 10 Marquette.

“It was crazy,” Ball said. “That game was good. Because we had practice, I just saw the first half. … I’m definitely really excited. I feel like I can fit in right away, just the way I play. I like to play fast.”

Ball has the skill set and mindset to make an immediate impact on the Division I level. And he’ll continue to improve this season playing for coach Jason Smith at Brewster, a prep school powerhouse.

“He’s a Danny Hurley guard,” said Smith, who previously coached Jeff Adrien and Jalen Adams, who went on to star at UConn. “He’s tough and he’s competitive. He’s explosive. I think he picked a great program and a great coach. I think he’ll do very well there.

“He’s going to arrive at UConn very poised, very ready and very mature. He’s not going to be overwhelmed with anything. He asks a lot of great questions. He wants to be better every day.”

During Wednesday’s convincing win over Bridgton Academy, Ball, a versatile 6-foot-4 combination guard from Leesburg, Va., displayed his talents and athleticism while contributing 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists. He played mainly off the ball and scored from all over the court.

Ball, whose nickname is Solo, curled around screens and swished home 3-pointers. He grabbed a defensive rebound and dribbled the length of the court for basket. He showed off his court vision and unselfishness by setting up teammates. And he threw down two highlight reel dunks, including a windmill that brought Brewster’s bench players to their feet.

On the season, Ball’s averaging about 16 points, shooting 38 percent from 3-point range and 82 percent from the foul line.

Smith says Ball reminds him of Donovan Mitchell, a former Brewster player now starring in the NBA for the Cleveland Cavaliers, especially in the character department.

“Solo is tremendous,” Smith said. “He reminds me – when I say this, people are going to raise eyebrows – and has a lot of similarities at the same stage to Donovan Mitchell, not in terms as a player but in terms of his character. He listens to learn, as opposed to listens to reply. He listens with his eyes and ears.

“He’s a great kid and a great teammate. His future is very bright. He keeps getting better and better. Much like Donovan at the same stage, he’s just scratching the surface to what he can be three or four years down the road. They both are explosive athletes at this stage, both have ridiculously long arms and a great wing span. But a lot of the similarities are just the type of people that they are and their character.”

It took time for Ball to learn to fit on a deep Brewster team loaded with future Division I players. He previously attended St. James School in Maryland, playing with good friend and now future UConn teammate Jayden Ross.

“I had to figure it out the first part of the year,” Ball said. “The team that I was on before, I was the main guy. I had to score like 30 points for my team to win. I averaged like 28 my junior year at St. James.

“Here, there’s just so many good players around me that you can just share the ball and it makes the game so much easier. I really have fun like that.”

Several times during a conversation after Wednesday’s game, Ball said that he’ll do whatever is needed to win.

A late bloomer, Ball realizes he still has plenty of room for his game to grow. Physically, he’s matured quite a bit, going from 5-foot-4 as a high school freshman to 6-4, 190 pounds now.

High on his list for goals when he gets to UConn is hanging another national championship banner.

“That’s a big goal of mine,” Ball said. “I’ve always been an underdog. People are going to say that they can win it, too. But I think we’ve got a really good chance.”

During the signing period last fall, Hurley raved about Ball, calling him a “rare type of athlete who plays with an athletic rage, with incredible competitive fire and spirit.”

At the Spalding Hoophall Classic last month in Springfield, Mass., Adam Finkelstein, director of scouting for 247Sports, had this to say about Ball: “Solo is a really good player. He’s physically ready, long, athletic and ultra-competitive. He’s a capable shooter. He’s got a very high physical upside.”

Ball plans to hit the ground running when he arrives in Storrs.

“I’m definitely not going to be that one that sits back,” Ball said. “People are going to have to tell me to slow down. That’s just how I am. I’ve always been that way.”

g.keefe@theday.com