WORCESTER, Mass. — It felt like I didn’t even leave.
Two weekends ago, I walked in and out of Worcester Academy for three consecutive days of the first NEPSAC Scholastic Showcase. Before I could even blink, I was back doing it all over again. Like me, hundreds of college coaches from around the country were filing in for second helpings of the best talent in New England.
One of the best events of the regional prep calendar didn’t disappoint with this weekend’s finale. And I was able to find a few more gems to add to my notebook as I continue to dissect the Class of 2027 names to know for the upcoming season. In a land of guards, I was trying to get a better understanding of some of the wings, forwards and bigs that are forming serious college intrigue.
Some of these names appeared in my standouts from two weekends ago – like I said in my guard standouts, that matters because it means there’s real consistency. Here are 10 frontcourt 2027 standouts from the NEPSAC Showcase finale.
NEPSAC LIVE PERIOD No. 2: 2027 backcourt standouts
Adam Anwar, Kimball Union
6-8 forward
Hometown: McHenry, Ill.
There was a collection of inside-out forwards who caught my attention this weekend and Anwar fits the bill. The incoming postgraduate had a quick and consistent trigger from 3-point territory. I saw him make at least four in a game vs. Winchendon, and he also demonstrated impressive skill and creation tools off the bounce, which included a pump-fake into a one-dribble runner and a difficult shot on a series of pivot moves with a finish off glass. He was also comfortable making plays with his back to the basket. He’s a big name to know next season in Class AA.
Alonzo Archbold, Hotchkiss
6-8 forward
Hometown: Staten Island, N.Y.
Archbold played a key role in Hotchkiss’ Class A championship run last season and I’m excited to see him in a more central role as a senior. Our first look was promising. The physical forward was dominant on the glass on both ends in my viewings of him. He thrived in a point forward role with precise passes and scoring in a variety of ways, whether it was a difficult reverse layup finish or backing down defenders and winning battles with good footwork and overpowering physicality. He’s a super versatile two-way prospect who has picked up four new Division 1 offers in the last month.
Nate Blenman, Cushing
6-9 forward
Hometown: Amherst, N.Y.
Blenman appeared on our standouts list two weekends ago and it was impossible to exclude him after this weekend, too. He was dominant again in the paint with his rebounding ability, physicality, footwork and finishing ability around the rim, and he’s continuing to show touch from the 3-point line. Holding double-digit Division 1 offers, Blenman looks like he could be on a high-major trajectory. After missing time with injuries last season, we saw what his potential looks like over the two June live periods.
Larry Brown, MacDuffie
6-7 forward
Hometown: Coatesville, Pa.
MacDuffie could have one of the best frontcourts in Class AA with its blend of length, size, athleticism and physicality – and the incoming Brown brings some intriguing tools to the table. At 6-foot-7, he can bang inside against opposing bigs for rebounds and has a strong motor, and I also saw him put the ball on the deck from the 3-point line, get to the basket and make some smart passes for open looks. He also has defensive versatility with his mobility and can be a rim protector – evidenced by his four blocks per game last season at Coatesville High.
Donovan Clement, CATS Academy
6-9 wing
Hometown: Pawtucket, R.I.
The odds are high that Clement is the best shooter in any gym he walks into. He had one of the best shooting performances of the weekend on Sunday, hitting eight triples en route to 30 points against Lawrence Academy. He was unbothered by pressure on the perimeter and hit several off the bounce against tight coverage. He just simply makes shots, and there is certainly a place for that with his size at the Division 1 level.
Declan Griffiths, St. Thomas More
6-8 wing
Hometown: Simsbury, Conn.
It can’t be understated just how dangerous Griffiths is from 3-point territory; he is genuinely a threat to shoot whenever he steps over half court, and he proved as much with a couple of incredibly deep triples on Friday night against Newman. He’s also capable of using the 3-ball to generate athletic attacks and finishes at the rim. I liked the competitive edge and fire he played with, and I think college coaches on the sidelines were in agreement.
Connor Noel, Milton Academy
6-7 forward
Hometown: Waltham, Mass.
I roamed over to Court 1 on Saturday just in time to see Noel make play after play in the second half of Milton Academy’s win over Dexter Southfield. Three huge 3-pointers, an offensive tip putback and a transition bucket were among the highlights I noted, and I also thought he was active and impactful in individual defensive battles on the perimeter. Noel embodies winning impact and will continue to be a key cog for the Class A contending Mustangs next winter.
Luca Palermo, St. Mark’s
6-6 forward
Hometown: Andover, Mass.
Surprise: Our reigning Class B Large Player of the Year was highly productive throughout the weekend, including lines of 24 points and 21 rebounds vs. Greens Farms and a 23-point, 14-rebound, 12-assist triple-double vs. Millbrook. With his combination of skill, size, footwork and physicality, he’s almost impossible to stop when he gets in the paint, and as usual, he was playmaking at a high level as a point forward from the perimeter. He stepped out to drain a few 3-pointers, too, and demonstrated a high motor on the glass. It’s shaping up to be another big year for Palermo.
Jalen Rogers, Beaver Country Day
6-8 forward
Hometown: Boston, Mass.
I didn’t give Rogers his due for a strong opening weekend and he backed it up with another one in the finale as he led Beaver to a 7-0 record over the NEPSAC live periods. He’s a matchup nightmare with his ability to play off the bounce, overpower opponents physically around the basket and make crafty finishing moves while exploding for big dunks. He also has an ability to stretch the defense from deep. Rogers earned a Division 2 offer from Southern New Hampshire over the weekend and it seems like he’s just scratching the surface of his potential.
Peter Uzgiris, St. Luke’s
7-foot center
Hometown: New Canaan, Conn.
Uzgiris was one of the most intriguing prospects I saw this weekend that I hadn’t previously gotten a closer look at. He opened the scoring in St. Luke’s win over Tabor with a straightaway 3-pointer and he impressed me with his mobility as a 7-footer who has some solid post scoring moves. He also demonstrated his length with an impressive block off the backboard. This is a name I’m monitoring.
