Among the most notable grassroots circuits across the country, Hoop Group may have the largest concentration of New England programs and prospects.
Last weekend, in just the HGSL 17U finals alone, seven of the 38 teams in the bracket were based out of New England. That’s not counting many NEPSAC prospects scattered across other teams in the bracket like Valente Rocks, HoopRoots and others. And then there are even more across multiple age groups in both the HGSL and HGAL.
The Middlesex Magic, coached by Lambros Papalambros, took home the trophy in the Hoop Group’s marquee 17U HGSL circuit on Sunday, while several other of the region’s teams and prospects shined in front of college coaches from every level during the final July live recruiting period.
I tracked streams throughout the tournament during the action from Pittsburgh, Pa., mostly focusing on the 17U HGSL bracket. Here are 10 standouts from the weekend.
AAU CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP: 7 New England takeaways from final July live period
Caleb Baker, The House We Built 17U HGSL
Class of 2027, 6-6 wing
Lawrence Academy/Whitman, Mass.
One of New England’s biggest stock risers through the spring and summer, Baker capped his final AAU season with a strong July live period. He continued to thrive in a higher usage role, and he was difficult to stop on this circuit with his combination of athleticism, physicality and improved shotmaking. In an opening round win over SHA Elite, he had success while absorbing contact, used leverage for mid-range pull-ups and converted multiple three-point plays while showing great touch at the rim. I saw him take over with a seven-point flurry in about a minute, which included a three-point play in which he simply overpowered a defender in transition.
Christian Charter, New England Storm 17U HGSL
Class of 2027, 6-6 wing
Phillips Exeter/Hampton, N.H.
The momentum from the spring continued into July for Chartier, who scored 25 points – including 23 in the second half – with five blocks in the Storm’s Round of 32 victory over Higher Level, with the performance coming in front of the entire Mercyhurst coaching staff. He was also impressive in my viewing of the Storm’s Round of 16 loss to Valente Rocks; Chartier is obviously a dangerous 3-point shooter, but his scoring versatility and moves caught my eye. It included a strong baseline spin around a defender for a bucket and a difficult finish moving to his right off the glass. As of Monday, Chartier has four scholarship offers in the bank.
Ben Cormier, New England Storm 17U HGSL
Class of 2027, 6-8 forward
Proctor/Newburyport, Mass.
After recovering from an injury at the end of his MIAA season at Newburyport, Cormier is fully healthy and showing his full catalog of tools as an intriguing, two-way 6-foot-8 stretch big. He averaged 18 points on high efficiency to go along with nine rebounds and three assists per game this weekend. He shot a high clip from 3-point range while making plays as an active, versatile defender.
CJ Farrell, Middlesex Magic 17U HGSL
Class of 2027, 6-0 guard
St. Mark’s/Milford, Mass.
After a midseason roster shakeup, Farrell assumed lead guard responsibilities and sacrificed showing his ability as a scorer while facilitating well and setting up his teammates. But this weekend, we saw the balance of Farrell’s offensive game – and it led to MVP honors as he led the Magic to the HGSL championship with an incredible tournament run. He was the most impactful player on the floor in every Magic game I watched; he found his opportunities to score and attacked the rim with consistency, showing creativity with reverse layups and aggressive takes that drew fouls, and he even got up for an explosive fast-break dunk.
He got into his mid-range and made difficult pull-ups and fallaways. Farrell was a menace defensively on the perimeter and active on the offensive glass, too, and he came up big whenever the Magic needed him, including draining the game-winning 3-pointer in overtime of their semifinal win over Valente Rocks. His recruitment is soaring now, with multiple Division 1 schools checking in after the weekend.
Justice Grant, BABC National 16U HGSL
Class of 2028, 6-0 guard
Thayer/Hyde Park, Mass.
I caught a glimpse of BABC’s 16U quarterfinal game vs. Valente Rocks, and it was Grant making all the plays. He scored eight early points – including two 3-pointers and one really deep triple – and it was noteworthy how much pressure and physicality he was generating on his drives. He drew several fouls with the speed and power he brought to the rim, and had one transition score when he just went through the defender to get to the basket. I noted him for at least 21 points; Grant is a rising junior who’s firmly on my radar as a physical scoring guard.
Ty Grudzien, Middlesex Magic 17U HGSL
Class of 2027, 6-2 guard
Woodstock Academy/Uncasville, Conn.
Alongside Farrell in the backcourt, Grudzien locked up opposing stars and constantly blew up passing lanes throughout the weekend; coach Lambros Papalambros told me he’s on a shortlist, alongside former Magic standout and Bentley commit Brady O’Connell, as the best defensive players he’s ever coached. The X-factor to the Magic’s title run, Grudzien provided the group with another reliable ball-handling option who’s incredibly shifty off the bounce, got to the rim relentlessly and showed terrific finishing touch with his floater game.
JJ Martinez, Middlesex Magic 17U HGSL
Class of 2027, 6-3 guard
Darrow/Lynn, Mass.
The secret weapon of the Magic’s championship run? Martinez was a cheat code coming off the bench. He provided a valuable change of pace and consistently bulldozed defenders, getting into the paint and drawing fouls all weekend with his physicality. He also drained a critical 3-pointer late in the semifinal victory over Valente Rocks. He scored at all three levels and played with great unselfishness and feel throughout the tournament.
Connor Noel, Middlesex Magic 17U HGSL
Class of 2027, 6-7 wing
Milton Academy/Waltham, Mass.
I thought Noel was the unsung hero of the Magic’s championship. With Tyson Robinson out injured, he played as the 5-man all weekend and effectively drew opposing bigs out on the perimeter with his ability to shoot from deep, which helped open things up for the Magic’s guards. He made four 3-pointers in the first half vs. Valente Rocks, including two sandwiched around a defensive block sequence, and I thought he did all the little things that helped win games. He rebounded, blocked shots, made good screens and kept the ball moving. He rarely made mistakes and it was difficult for Papalambros to take him off the floor.
JJ Osinski, Valente Rocks 17U HGSL
Class of 2027, 6-5 forward
Albany Academy/Albany, N.Y.
Oskinski set the career scoring record at Christian Brothers Academy last season and it was easy to see why. He seemingly got whatever he wanted throughout the weekend. Osinski scored the first seven points of the game in Valente Rocks’ Round of 16 win over New England Storm. He’s physically tough and got several offensive rebounds and putbacks, but he’s also extremely skilled with the ball, which included a fluid move in which he went behind the back into a spin and score. I’m excited to see how he translates to NEPSAC Class AA this winter.
Christian Zarzycki, Valente Rocks 17U HGSL
Class of 2027, 6-4 guard
Cheshire/Penfield, N.Y.
Very few prospects in the area can heat up from distance like Zarzycki. He went on a wild 3-point barrage that helped break the game open in the first half of a Round of 16 win over New England Storm, drilling three triples in the matter of minutes, and each make seemed to be further than the last. He later hit a fourth triple off a great crossover stepback move. Zarzycki is truly within realistic shooting distance when he crosses half court. His shotmaking is a real game-breaking weapon.
