NE Preps Avon, Connecticut Showcase Standouts

This event yet again brought out many of the best prospects in all of New England, and the country. Here are some of the players that stood out to me this weekend!

Nigel James: 6’1 PG (Cushing Academy ’25) 

James is an extremely quick guard displayed his ability to get into the paint at will. He also hit two big free throws, and showed toughness and a knack to impact the game with his playmaking and basketball IQ.

Warren Keel 6’0 PG (Bradford Christian ’26)

Keel is a quick PG that has game and basketball IQ beyond his years. He has the ability to both score the ball and facilitate consistently. Will be interesting to see him continue to develop.

Umari Senay 6’2 CG (Bradford Christian ’24)

Senay is high level athlete with ability to get up above everyone and for rebounds on both ends. He excels at scoring on the inside while also being able to score the middy, and from three.

Ebuka Okorie 6’2 CG (Cushing Academy ’25)

Okorie is a smooth point guard that plays downhill, with the ability to consistently score and facilitate. He can score at all three level and has a smooth pace to his game, never seeming rushed. He is a player whose stock will continue to rise this summer.

Jacob Davis 6’6 SF (Cushing Academy ’25)

Davis is a bruiser on the inside with the ability to have a huge impact on both ends. On offense, Davis consistently finishes on the inside and through contact. He also rim protects and provides a layer of toughness for his team.

Luka Toews 6’1 PG (Newman ’24)

Toews is an extremely fast point guard with high IQ and court vision. He showed the ability to consistently get into the paint and make highly contested layups. He also has the ball on a string which allows him to score and create for others with ease. 

Mason Blackwood 6’7 SG (New Hampton ’25)

Blackwood is a super athletic guard that consistently got up above the rim huge slams. He showed knack for getting ahead of the defense for huge slams. He also put constant pressure on the defense, consistently getting downhill and into the paint.

Wyatt Nausidas 6’3 CG (Newman ’24)

Nausidas once again showed his ability to quickly heat up from beyond the arc. He consistently made huge buckets for his team from all three levels. Also displayed intangibles such as effective communication and leadership.

Brant Byers 6’8 F (Newman ’25)

Byers is a highly versatile forward, that has a smooth jumpshot that ranges all the way beyond the three point line. He is also money from mid-range and a tough finisher on the inside. Byers is also a big time rebounder on both ends.

Harrison Peaster: 6’2 SG (Winchedon ’24) 

Peaster has lethal shooting ability from beyond the arc, quick release, smooth repeatable form. Also impacted winning through rebounding, defending, and facilitating.

Oscar Edelman 6’9 F (New Hampton ’24)

Edelmam was tough on the inside for New Hampton. He is an anchor on the inside that rebounds, and scores consistently on the inside. Edelman has high level footwork and can consistently knockdown shots from beyond the arc. 

Jaydon Reid 6’9 PF (Westminster ’25)

Reid showed the ability to seal defenders effectively, and finish on the inside. Additionally, the showcased a knack drawing fouls and cashing in from the free throw line. He was also a big time rebounder and rim protector.  

CJ Cox 6’2 PG (Milton ’24)

Cox used his speed and agility to consistently get past defenders and into his scoring spots. I was impressed with his gamesmanship in the clutch, he scored 5+ possessions in a row when his team needed it most in the final minutes of the game.

CJ Happy 6’8 PF (Milton ’24)

Happy was a big time anchor all weekend for Milton. He can score in a variety of ways, including from down low and all the way out to the three point line. He has an extremely high motor, blocking and contesting shots without fouling on the inside.

Chris Powell 6’4 CG (Westminster ’26)

Powell is a lengthy guard with a smooth game. He can score the ball in bunches and from all three levels. He also demonstrated playmaking ability and high basketball IQ. Will continue to be one to watch in the coming years

Joshua Ojuri 6’5 Wing (CATS Academy)

Ojuri is super athletic and showed his ability to get up and block shots on defense. He also was effective rebounding on both ends, and used his ups to finish in the paint. Ojuri is also tough to stop in transition. 

Desmond Bellot Jr 6’3 CG (CATS Academy’25)

Bellot is a tough guard with the ability to score the ball in bunches. He has a smooth handle and all around game, that is beyond his years. He is handle is highly polished , along with his knack to make tough shots. 

Peter Gellene 6’1 Guard (Bridgton ‘24) 
 
Gellene is a quick guard with high level scoring ability. He made  some tough shots from midrange, moved well without the ball and was tough on defense.

Jaylen Harrel 6’6 Wing  (CATS Academy ’25) 

Harrel displayed a downhill style of play, consistently finishing on the inside and rebounding for his team. He has a knack for finding gaps in the defense when he slashes, while being a player who brings 100% on every play.

 Graham Eikenberry 6’11 C (St. Andrew’s ’24)
 
Eikenberry was a big time anchor on the inside . Showed high level mobility, rebounded on both ends, and finished through contact, while blocking shots and protecting the rim on defense. Also has high energy that rubs off on his teammates. 
 

Dean Hogans 6’4 CG (Hotchkiss ’25)

 Hogans was impressive and lead a tough comeback effort for his team . He consistently got out in transition, finished around the basket, and knocked down threes off the catch.

 
 
 

 

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