The NEPSAC Class AAA boys basketball season is upon us, with games starting next week.
The top class of NEPSAC basketball is stocked with talented prospects, including some who come to the region for a postgraduate season. But it was notable how many of this class' best players are New England natives who have made a name for themselves here for several seasons.
With our two-time Class AAA Player of the Year, former Newman star Lucas Morillo, now at Illinois, there's opportunity for a new Player of the Year this winter. Here are 10 early candidates who could win the award in 2026-27.
Preston Bollin, Newman
Class of 2027, 6-6 guard/forward
Hometown: Raynham, Mass.
NCAA: Princeton
Among Newman’s returners from its championship treble season, Bollin has the most experience on the top national team. A memorable 16-point performance in a Hoophall Classic victory over Southeastern Prep highlighted his junior campaign. He brings a high level of toughness, competitiveness and leadership, and he’s selfless in doing whatever it takes to impact winning.
AAA PREVIEWS: Newman | St. Thomas More
Mamadou Camara, Vermont Academy
Class of 2027, 6-2 guard
Hometown: Salem, Mass.
A state champion in 2024 with Malden Catholic, Camara took NEPSAC by storm in his first prep season with his high IQ playmaking, scoring ability and winning habits to help Vermont Academy earn the No. 2 seed in Class AAA. The All-NEPSAC honorable mention selection will be a key cog for new head coach Patrick Ewing Jr.
Declan Griffiths, St. Thomas More
Class of 2027, 6-7 wing
Hometown: Simsbury, Conn.
NCAA: Vanderbilt
The Avon Old Farms transfer enters the highest level of NEPSAC fresh off a monster summer with the Middlesex Magic that culminated in a commitment to Vanderbilt in the SEC. He’s one of the best 3-point shooting prospects in the country, unafraid to pull the trigger anywhere on the court, and blends it with elite athleticism. He’ll have plenty of offensive opportunity on a loaded St. Thomas More squad.
Mahamadou Landoure, Bridgton
Class of 2027, 6-10 center
Hometown: Djenné, Mali
NCAA: Virginia
Landoure is a newcomer to Bridgton and should immediately impact Class AAA as one of the physically imposing big men in the league. A former Real Madrid product, he joined NBA Africa Academy and has strong touch and footwork that help him dominate in the post. He also has a strong passing feel and shot 87 percent from the free-throw line last year.
Stetson Merritt, New Hampton
Class of 2027, 6-4 guard
Hometown: Troy, N.Y.
NCAA: Buffalo
Merritt impressed in his first NEPSAC season last year as he earned All-NEPSAC honorable mention honors and followed that with an explosive summer on the Nike EYBL circuit with City Rocks. An electric three-level scorer, Merritt will asked to play a bigger role as the lead guard of a young and talented New Hampton team.
Philipe Ndong, Newman
Class of 2027, 6-9 wing
Hometown: Denver, Col.
NCAA: Marquette
Ndong played most of last season on Newman’s prep team, but with many of last season’s Cardinals graduated, he’s expected to have a major role this winter. Our No. 5-ranked player in New England’s 2027 class, Ndong is an elite 3-point shooter who makes consistently smart decisions and brings length and athleticism to both ends of the court.
Patrick Otey, St. Thomas More
Class of 2027, 6-5 guard
Hometown: Westwood, Mass.
NCAA: Duquesne
Otey returned to New England last season and was one of the best players in AAA, putting up 21.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game to lead St. Thomas More to the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. He missed crucial parts of this grassroots season, but he’s back fully healthy and ready to lead the top-seeded Chancellors. He was one of the most offensively gifted prospects in the region.
Alex Pace, Brewster
Class of 2027, 6-2 guard
Hometown: Camden, N.J.
Pace is one of the most highly-touted newcomers in NEPSAC this season, fresh off a massive summer in which he was named the Under Armour Association circuit MVP – averaging 14.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game – while leading WeR1 to the championship. A high-level playmaker with an ability to create for himself and others with smart reads, he’ll be the lead guard at Brewster.
Derek Swartz, New Hampton
Class of 2028, 6-5 guard
Hometown: Portsmouth, N.H.
One of the most highly-regarded young prospects for several years, Swartz will make his prep debut after spending the last two years at Portsmouth High School. He’s coming off a standout spring and summer with Mass Rivals’ top 17U team as he played a key role in their run to the Adidas 3SSB final. Swartz is a talented scorer who rebounds at a high rate; he holds offers from Marquette, Boston College, Providence and Maryland, among others.
Abraham Taiwo, Darrow
Class of 2028, 6-8 forward
Hometown: Kebbi, Nigeria
Taiwo is ready to take another leap at Darrow as a skilled and versatile prospect who is among the most talented in a new group for head coach Antonio Anderson that boasts tons of size, length and athleticism. The transfer from Sunrise Christian holds offers from Kansas State and Illinois.
More players to watch: Avery Council, Hoosac; DJ Hawkins, St. Thomas More; Davon Maloney, Newman; Greyson Pierce, St. Thomas More; Michael Parris, South Kent
