WORCESTER, Mass. — It was, at times, difficult to find a seat during the weekend at the NEPSAC Boys Scholastic Showcase.
Why? Because hundreds of college coaches from all over the country were lining the courts at Worcester Academy.
Coaches from every level of college basketball were in the building. There were assistants from high-major schools, dozens of head coaches from the Division 1 mid-major and low-major level and all the way down the line into Division 2 and 3. There was something for everyone.
We already covered the backcourt standouts from New England’s 2027 class. Now, we move on to the frontcourt. Here are 10 wings, forwards and bigs who caught my attention during the opening weekend of the NEPSAC Showcase.
Joseph Adebayo, Putnam Science
6-10 forward
Hometown: Okitipupa, Nigeria
Adebayo might have been the most physically strong big I saw this weekend, and he also flashed athleticism and some impressive touch around the basket. In my viewing of Putnam’s game against Cushing, he impacted the game on both ends of the rim, which included a strong recovery block after being beaten by a backdoor cut. I want to see more of him, but there are some intriguing tools to work with here. He picked up an offer from Western Carolina following the weekend.
Caleb Baker, Lawrence Academy
6-6 wing
Hometown: Whitman, Mass.
Opportunity has found Baker, who’s the lone returning starter for the Spartans, and if the weekend is any indication, he’s ready for it. A stock-riser with The House We Built this spring, the ball-handling wing is starting to look really comfortable as the offensive lead. He scored 30 points in games vs. Worcester Academy and Mount St. Charles, filling it up at all three levels and showing poise playing off two feet around the basket and finishing through contact. The work he’s put into his outside shot is also starting to see rewards; he hit multiple triples off the catch in each half of Lawrence Academy’s first two games.
Nate Blenman, Cushing
6-9 forward
Hometown: Amherst, N.Y.
Blenman’s last year-plus has been disrupted by injuries, but the big man showed his capabilities when he’s healthy and on the court producing this weekend. He’s an absolute load in the paint – good luck boxing him out – because of his positioning, physicality and work rate. I saw him pile up second chance points, and third and fourth chances in some cases, while dominating the glass on both ends. He has great footwork in the post, too, and we saw him stretch out and confidently hit 3-pointers.
Christian Chartier, Phillips Exeter
6-6 wing
Hometown: Hampton, N.H.
The stock-rising wing is already well-known as one of the best shooters in New England – and he made plenty of triples over the weekend – but it’s noticeable the different layers he continues to add to his game. Chartier showed some athletic pop with two dunks vs. Belmont Hill and he’s continuing to evolve as an active, versatile defender. I also saw him make some strong off-ball cuts for buckets. Chartier had 19 points in a win over Deerfield and added 17 against Belmont Hill. The wing recently grabbed an offer from Air Force and he’s continuing to earn interst from high-academic schools.
Donovan Clement, CATS Academy
6-9 wing
Hometown: Pawtucket, R.I.
Another big move: Clement announced last Thursday on the eve of the showcase that he was transferring from St. Mark’s to CATS Academy. The reigning Class B Large tournament MVP proceeded to remind everyone in attendance what he does best: drill 3s. He made seven of them, including five in the first half and a few really deep ones, against Wilbraham & Monson and I don’t think any of them touched the rim. I’m excited about Clement’s continued development at CATS under new head coach Miguel Bocachica.
Declan Griffiths, St. Thomas More
6-8 wing
Hometown: Simsbury, Conn.
Griffiths looked comfortable in his St. Thomas More debut and we saw a lot of what we’ve already seen throughout his stock-rising spring. He hit at least six 3-pointers in a Sunday morning victory over New Hampton, and he was also attacking the rim and exploding for dunks in the way that’s helped make him a high-major prospect. I thought he handled pressure really well when he put the ball on the floor and embraced physicality with a few three-point plays and finishes through contact. Coaches representing Syracuse, Providence, Butler, Marquette and Boston College – and several more – were on hand for St. Thomas More’s morning tip. Griffiths received an offer from Butler last week.
Kareem Hopkins, South Kent
6-7 wing
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I like the roster South Kent coach Craig Carter is building, and Hopkins is a returner who looks like he’s improved his game significantly. The lefty wing had an impressive weekend in which he demonstrated a lot of his intriguing tools. He can handle it well, slash fluidly to the basket, finish well and play above the rim, and shoot it from deep. He scored in double figures in all three of South Kent’s games while rebounding well and adding some rim protection. Hopkins is a name to monitor.
Kai Johnson, Worcester Academy
6-8 forward
Hometown: Frisco, Tx.
We highlighted Johnson as a promising newcomer a few weeks ago; he made a great first impression this weekend. I was really impressed with his playmaking ability at his size. He moves well and plays with a blend of power and athleticism in the paint, finishing through contact and even making a spin move for a three-point play. I also caught him going coast to coast for another three-point play, so he’s clearly capable and comfortable handling the ball.
Greyson Pierce, St. Thomas More
6-8 forward
Hometown: West Hartford, Conn.
Shots can be hard to find on this St. Thomas More squad, but Pierce found enough to drill seven triples in the Chancellors’ win over New Hampton, including a straightaway 3 in the final minute to seal it. He also made some strong self-creation opportunities that led to clean looks at the rim. There were also some encouraging moments controlling the glass; if Pierce can consistently work hard throughout games to get rebounds, his impact and recruitment should continue to increase.
Tyson Robinson, Brimmer & May
6-7 forward
Hometown: Newton, Mass.
It’s been a bumpy road for Robinson, who has had to battle injuries the last few years. But I came away encouraged with his play vs. Tilton on Saturday, when he embraced physicality against the Rams’ taller bigs, drew fouls and finished plays through contact. He also made a couple of impressive blocks as he flashed the athleticism we’re used to seeing when he’s fully healthy. With three more live periods over the next month, there’s a huge opportunity for Robinson to build on that momentum.
