If you thought the talent in MIAA boys basketball would be depleted from last season after a star-studded senior class graduated and several players left for prep school, think again.
The collection of star power returning in MIAA for the 2025-26 season is as good as it’s been. The top of the pecking order includes league MVPs and All-Stars from a year ago, and several who took their teams to long playoff runs last March. They’re back to chase glory this winter.
Franklin’s Caden Sullivan took home our first MIAA Boys Player of the Year last season after a legendary senior year in which he led the Panthers to their first Division 1 state championship. Who could win the award this winter?
Let’s take a look at 10 candidates for our MIAA boys Player of the Year watch list.
PRESEASON TOP 10: Central Catholic opens as MIAA's No. 1 team
Dawson English, Winchester
6-1 senior guard/forward
An All-Star in the Middlesex League as a junior, English played a pivotal role as Winchester won a share of the Liberty Division last winter. He set the school’s single-season record for shooting percentage at 64.6 percent while averaging 12 points, five rebounds and two assists per game as he often defended the opponent’s best player. He’ll be counted on in a major way for the Red & Black this winter after several key players departed, including Alex Casey and Jack Charchaflian.
Jimmy Farrell, Masconomet
6-2 senior guard
As a junior captain, Farrell was one of the best two-way guards in MIAA boys basketball, averaging 18.6 points, 6.2 assists and 2.6 steals per game as he helped Masconomet reach its first ever Division 2 Final Four. He’s been a starter every season with the Chieftains and will be a focal point for a squad with state championship hopes this winter.
Cason Faulk, Bridgewater-Raynham
6-3 senior forward
The physical forward averaged 13 points, five rebounds and three assists per game to lead the Trojans to an 18-5 record and a run to the Division 1 quarterfinals last season. His standout junior season included a buzzer-beater to beat Catholic Memorial that made ESPN’s Top 10 plays and a 20-point, 10-rebound, 10-steal triple-double against Xaverian. The Trojans have high expectations this winter, and Faulk is a big reason why.
Matty Gray, Burlington
6-6 senior guard
Gray was a two-way force for Burlington, averaging 16 points, eight rebounds and three assists per game – including a 32-point performance to lead the Red Devils to the Division 2 Sweet 16. He’s one of the more unique prospects in the MIAA, an athletic and long two-way guard who’s one of the most versatile two-way options in the state regardless of division.
Jacob Klass, Beverly
6-1 senior guard
Klass was the MVP of the Northeastern Conference and landed on our All-MIAA Third Team last season after averaging 24 points, three rebounds and three assists per game; his monster scoring season included six 30-point games. Surrounded by a talented and deep team at Beverly this season, Klass’ scoring averages are likely to go down, but he’ll still be the heartbeat of the Panthers.
Javi Lopez, Central Catholic
6-1 senior guard
Lopez is the early favorite to win the award. The reigning Merrimack Valley Conference Player of the Year is the only returner who was on our All-MIAA First Team last season after he averaged 24 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals per game to lead Central Catholic to the Division 1 Final Four. He turned down prep school opportunities to return to Central, where he’s motivated to bring home a state championship this winter. A member of the National Honor Society, he’s receiving college interest from high-academic Division 3 schools.
Kingston Maxwell, Abington
6-4 senior guard
Maxwell was one of MIAA’s top offensive forces last season as he averaged 22.5 points and seven rebounds per game to land on our All-MIAA Third Team. He’s one of the best athletes in the state, a three-level scorer and versatile defender who will lead Abington as one of the best teams in Division 3 this season.
Jonny Sullivan, Tewksbury
6-1 senior guard
After missing his sophomore season due to a torn ACL, Sullivan came back to take home Player of the Year honors in the Merrimack Valley Conference Small Division as he averaged 11.2 points, five rebounds and five assists to lead Tewksbury to one of its best seasons in recent memory. A football star, Sullivan will enter the 2025-26 season as one of the best guards in Division 3.
Ladainian Rodrigues, Attleboro
6-3 senior guard
One of the most physical guards in MIAA, Rodrigues averaged 15 points, 10 rebounds and three assists per game last season to lead Attleboro to the No. 2 seed in Division 1 and a berth in the quarterfinals. The two-way force is a high-level rebounder who can take over games with his athleticism, three-level scoring and playmaking in transition. A two-time All-Star in the Hockomock, he’s arguably the best returning player in the league.
Josh Roux, Andover
6-0 junior guard
After emerging as a starter as a freshman, Roux carried the momentum with a strong sophomore season as he averaged 15 points, three rebounds, three assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 36 percent from 3-point range. He cemented himself as one of the region’s best 3-point shooters this summer with Mass Rivals’ top 16U team as he shot 51.2 percent from deep during the Adidas national championships. He’ll be the unquestioned leader at Andover this season after some key departures.
Five more names to watch: Ethan Elie, senior guard, Braintree; Tahir Bey, senior forward, Springfield Central; Collin Christiansen, junior forward, Lowell; Justin Grimaldi, senior guard, Oliver Ames; Sam Brigham, senior guard, Pope Francis
