WORCESTER, Mass. — After attending for the last three years, I may have a hot take: The NEPSAC Boys Scholastic Showcase may be the most important event on New England’s amateur basketball calendar.
Aside from the annual Zero Gravity Prep Classic in December, there isn’t another event that brings prep basketball programs from all corners of the region to compete under one roof. It’s a hugely valuable time for teams to get to know each other and build chemistry for the next season. And the June showcases have the added element of coming at a critical time for recruitment, with Division 1 coaches allowed in the building to scout and evaluate for now and the future.
For the second time in three weekends, hundreds of men’s college basketball coaches from all levels shuffled in and out of Worcester Academy for the NEPSAC Showcase. They were once again treated to a long list of promising 2027 guard prospects who will undoubtedly help college programs next year.
Some of the same names I recognized two weekends ago will be on this list, too. That matters, because consistent performances are important. But there are also some new names that grabbed my attention. Here are 10 standout 2027 guards from the second NEPSAC Showcase.
Malik Adamson, Dexter Southfield
5-10 guard
Hometown: Dorchester, Mass.
Is there ever a game when Adamson doesn’t contribute to winning? A player who continues to be among my favorite in this class, Adamson scored 12 points over the final eight or so minutes to will Dexter to a comeback win over Hotchkiss with a mix of high-level plays, from a reverse layup three-point play to hitting 3s off the catch to causing havoc defensively with poke-out steals and even physically holding his own in 1-on-1 situations against Hotchkiss star Alonzo Archbold, who’s listed at 6-foot-8. Adamson, who holds a Division 1 offer from Siena, is always playing with a high speed and motor with a nose for playmaking in every facet of the game. He’s a joy to watch.
Solis Blue, St. Sebastian’s
6-1 guard
Hometown: Milton, Mass.
Blue was among the most impressive performers throughout both of this year’s NEPSAC Showcases. He averaged 26.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists with just 0.3 turnovers per game and shot 53 percent from the field and 31 percent from 3-point range over the second game. He was just purely dominant and efficient. He took over a victory over Milton Academy, which included seven points over a 90-second sequence, and he could not be stopped getting to the rim against Beaver Country Day with his dribble packages, athleticism, change of pace and acceleration and combination of finishing moves around the rim.
Sam Brigham, Cushing
6-3 guard
Hometown: Springfield, Mass.
Like two weekends ago, Brigham’s scoring ability – including some impressive 3-point range – was on display. But he also made a great impact defensively, picking up charges and fighting constantly over ball screens, and he flashed some athleticism that I hadn’t seen before, which included multiple big dunks. He has a serious competitive edge to him that translates to success on the court – Cushing coach James Cormier told me he has a certain moxie about him that makes him feel like he’ll rise to a high level no matter the challenge in front of him. He has a winning DNA that fits well into the Penguins’ culture.
Oliver Gray, Newman
6-5 guard
Hometown: Barrington, Ill.
There’s a newcomer to the conversation of NEPSAC’s best 3-point shooter. Gray caught fire for 31 points in Newman’s Friday night win over St. Thomas More, which included eight 3-pointers, and he finished the weekend drilling 15 of his attempts from deep. He did most of his damage on clean catch-and-shoot opportunities but also demonstrated an ability to attack closeouts with strong finishing drives and pump-faking into dribble pull-ups. He’s going to be a serious weapon for the reigning Class AAA and national prep champions.
Max Kellogg, Williston Northampton
6-3 guard
Hometown: Amherst, Mass.
Kellogg missed the first NEPSAC Showcase due to injury, and he returned this weekend with purpose. He was playing with a ton of confidence and it didn’t look like he missed a beat with scoring, playmaking and defense. I saw him draw a charge, hit a teammate for a perfect pass in transition and embrace physicality with some difficult takes to the rim. He even backed down a defender in the post and made a finish through contact. And he impressed with his facilitating, which included one slick play where he pump faked into a crossover for a drive, drew two defenders and found a teammate wide open in the paint. A three-level scorer with point guard smarts and a competitive fire, Kellogg holds an offer from Holy Cross, and I think his play this weekend warrants some more scholarship-level looks.
Soren Lolonga, Mount St. Charles
6-5 guard
Hometown: Easton, Mass.
In each of my three viewings of Mount St. Charles this weekend, it was notable how often Lolonga found himself at the rim and scoring, whether it was beating defenders in transition or taking them off the dribble. He also has strong mechanics and balance on his jumpers and I caught one massive one-handed dunk in Mount’s win over Lawrence Academy. He’s a big, athletic guard who overpowers smaller defenders and is quick enough to beat bigger opponents. Choose your poison.
Jack Millward, Rivers
6-5 guard
Hometown: Wakefield, Mass.
Known as a 3-point threat, Millward is continuing to expand his offensive game. He impacted the game with his physicality and playmaking vs. Loomis Chaffee, scoring 23 points with six rebounds, five assists and three steals. He punished defenders in the post with his strength getting to the rim and made some impressive shotmaking out of turnaround jumpers. He made smart passes off of live dribbles and even showed off some of his athleticism with a big dunk. And with multiple Rivers frontcourt players out, Millward accepted and excelled in the challenge of taking on difficult defensive assignments against bigger players. He’s a versatile weapon who’s continuing to get better.
Tyler Newsom, St. Luke’s
6-6 guard
Hometown: Monroe, Conn.
Newsom was cooking in my first-half viewing of St. Luke’s against Tabor on Saturday. He hit multiple 3s, made an athletic finish at the rim off a closeout and also hit a tough fadeaway baseline jumper for a three-point play as he fell to the court. He was also active on the offensive glass and was highly engaged on both ends. One of the best players in Class B Small, Newsom has more than a half-dozen Division 1 offers, and I think he’s still a bit underrated as a big, physical guard with a college-ready body who can impact the game in a variety of ways.
Samuel Owusu-Aduomi, Tilton
6-6 guard
Hometown: Tenafly, N.J.
I thought Owusu-Aduomi was one of the best performers of the weekend; he controlled the game in Tilton’s victory over St. George’s on Friday with his pace and playmaking ability. We know he can score from virtually any spot on the floor, but he was creating constant advantages offensively with his drives, paint touches and smart reads on kick-outs and passes. His feel for the game is very high; the game never looks too fast for him and he has this way of almost lulling the defense to sleep with his patience before making the right play. I’ve also loved his hustle plays throughout the spring with BABC, and he showed that with an impressive block racing back in transition.
Tavin Penix, Winchendon
6-5 guard
Hometown: Syracuse, N.Y.
One of the top stock-risers this spring with Rhode Island Elite, Penix was at the center of another undefeated weekend for Winchendon. I caught him erupt in a winning performance against Kimball Union, making at least three 3-pointers while also blowing past defenders with ease, which included a great take for a go-ahead layup in the final minute. With size, burst, athleticism, 3-point range and defensive versatility, Penix continues to be a coveted prospect in the region – and coach Alex Popp noted to me his efficiency and leadership were impressive this weekend, too. The latter will be important as the top returner on a strong Wapiti squad.
Quick shouts: Here are some other notable performers from my own observations and what I heard roaming around the courts throughout the weekend. …
I didn’t catch it, but the building was buzzing about Phillips Andover guard Hunter Peabody’s (Andover, Mass.) 35-point performance in a win over Williston Northampton. He had at least 10 3-pointers, including some ones from NBA range. He’s in the discussion as one of the best shooters in New England. …
Reece Ayala (Lawrence, Mass.) is back at Milton Academy after spending a year at Brewster and his talent and playmaking ability is making his teammates better already. … Winchendon guard Jayce Johnson is now assuming more backcourt responsibility after the departure of Treddy Faison, and he looks up to the challenge. The 5-foot-8 guard is tough to stay in front of and unafraid of attacking the rim. … St. George’s guard Ethan Njenga (Lowell, Mass.) is turning heads with his speed and explosiveness, and he was hitting 3s with some consistency, too.
