Everywhere you look in New England, there are talented guards to be found.
At the prep school level, the region is home to several high-major guards – New Hampton’s Keyshuan Tillery, who committed to Cincinnati, and Brewster’s Ebuka Okorie, who’s heading to Harvard next fall, to name a couple. But beyond them, there are so many guards who are still relatively unknown and just scratching the surface of their potential.
Some have transferred to prep schools from outside New England or other situations, while others are still growing and developing with the hopes of gaining exposure for a college scholarship or opportunity. Some on this list have even already committed to a college but are looking to take their game to the next level this season.
The common denominator? They’re all underrated, and players who should be on your radar. Here are 10 names to know for the 2024-25 NEPSAC season.
Lateef Afolabi, Dexter Southfield
Class of 2026, 6-3 guard
Hometown: Dorchester, Mass.
The potential is through the roof for Afolabi, a long and athletic guard who possesses a 6-foot-9 wingspan. He wreaks havoc on both ends of the floor and a matchup nightmare for opposing guards with his size. Offensively, he puts constant pressure on the defense with his ability to get downhill. He’s still learning how to play with balance and pace but the future is bright once he puts it all together.
Brandon Arnold, Kimball Union
Class of 2025, 6-3 guard,
Hometown: Baldwin, N.Y.
Arnold started every game as a sophomore for Kimball Union head coach Cory McClure, a sign of his advanced maturity and reliability. A durable, strong and big guard, Arnold has played at the point the last two years but he’s a jack of all trades in the backcourt. He’s been receiving low-major Division 1 and Division 2 interest, and as a true senior who hasn’t reclassified, has the option to do a postgraduate season if he needs one.
Khari Bryan, Proctor Academy
Class of 2026, 6-3 guard
Hometown: Worcester, Mass.
Amir Jenkins, who’s now at Worcester Academy, might have been the star for Worcester North’s back-to-back state championship teams, but the Polar Bears also boasted several other talented guards from its historic run. Don’t sleep on Bryan, who was an instrumental leader in helping North capture those state titles. A strong shooter and playmaker, he’s set to make an instant impact on Class B this season with Proctor.
Thomas Ferdinando, Governor’s Academy
Class of 2025, 6-2 guard
Hometown: Andover, Mass.
Ferdinando made our list of the best shooters from New England last week, just a few days before he announced his commitment to Babson. Still, it feels like he’s just beginning to grow into his potential. His natural shooting talent is obvious, but he’s only getting better with a work ethic that his coaches have lauded. Ferdinando’s confidence undoubtedly grew after helping lead the Middlesex Magic to the Hoop Group title this summer, and that should carry over for an exciting season at Governor’s this season.
Robby Fiore, Rivers
Class of 2025, 6-2 guard
Hometown: Acton, Mass.
There will be some strong shooting nights in Babson’s future with Ferdinando and Fiore, who also committed to the Division 3 school this month. Fiore shot 43 percent from deep last season but needed time to adjust to the NEPSAC level last season after transferring from Acton-Boxborough. He worked hard on his body and handle in the offseason, though, and after a strong summer on the Magic’s HGSL title run, he’s primed for a big year at Rivers. He’ll be thrust into a bigger role as the team’s third option and have much more responsibility as a primary defender on the perimeter and have the ball in his hands more often.
Keyshon Joyner, MacDuffie
Class of 2027, 5-foot-9 guard
Hometown: Worcester, Mass.
Another standout guard from Worcester North’s state championship teams, Joyner joins MacDuffie as a transfer this season – and he has head coach Kurt Steiner beaming with excitement. “He just makes everyone better,” Steiner told me. Joyner has such a winning pedigree that even in MacDuffie’s open gyms, he wins much more often than not. His skill is unique – Steiner said he can pass and shoot with both hands – and he has high potential with three years of prep school left.
Drew Kahn, Nobles
Class of 2025, 6-3 guard
Hometown: Wellesley, Mass.
Kahn had a big junior year, not only being selected as a league All-Star in Class A as he scored 16 points per game for Nobles, but also helping Team USA secure a pair of gold medals as a member of the U18 team in the Pan-American Games, which included the game-winning buzzer-beater in the 3x3 championship game. His scoring and shooting ability is his biggest strength, but the next step for him is playing a total floor game and getting his teammates more involved. There’s a sense that he’s refreshed, too, after a head coaching change this spring at Nobles that brought in Lambros Papalambros, who believes Kahn’s best ball is ahead of him. Kahn is primed for a monster year that could get him some more college looks.
Ryan Moesch, Cushing
Class of 2026, 6-0 guard
Hometown: Chittenango, N.Y.
If you’re not familiar with Moesch yet, you probably will be by the end of this winter. Cushing head coach James Cormier believes “he’s going to be the most polarizing player in New England.” Moesch was an elite scorer in New York, and while there is some uncertainty in how well it will translate to the NEPSAC level as a smaller guard, Cormier has already seen some flashes of brilliance at summer showcases and open gyms. Despite his size, he has advanced body control and ability to finish through contact. And while shooting is an area of needed improvement, Cormier said he has a knack for making the big shot. Moesch is one of the most fascinating prospects in New England entering this season.
PREP PREVIEWS: Cushing | Putnam Science | Vermont Academy
Jakye Rainey, Vermont Academy
Class of 2025, 6-1 guard
Hometown: Cheektowaga, N.Y.
Rainey has been mentioned in a few of our lists already – he was easily the most exciting guard I saw at this summer’s NEPSAC showcases with an electric all-around game. He broke Christian Laettner’s scoring record at Nichols High School in Buffalo, and now he’s at Vermont for a postgraduate season as he pursues more college exposure. There will certainly be an adjustment period at the NEPSAC level, but Vermont Academy head coach John Zall expects Rainey’s scoring ability to translate. But it will also be necessary for Rainey to impact the game in other ways.
AJ Trimboli, King School
Class of 2026, 5-10 guard
Hometown: Norwalk, Conn.
Trimboli was named a league All-Star in Class B last season as just a sophomore, and the potential is very exciting. He opened my eyes at this summer’s NEPSAC showcase with an elite pull-up game. Trimboli just possesses a comfortable feel for the game that’s advanced for his age with his ability to balance scoring and facilitating. He’s certainly overlooked at a smaller school in Class B, but colleges should be paying attention.
Five more names to know: Malik Adamson, Dexter Southfield; Emersen Davis, Brooks; Tahlan Pettway, St. Thomas More; Anthony Vick, Tilton; CJ Farrell, St. Mark’s
