The 2025 NEPSAC Boys Scholastic Showcases are over. Now, it’s time to pick which prospects were the event’s biggest winners.
Over two weekends, first at Babson and then at Avon Old Farms, more than 600 recruits from NEPSAC and New England prep schools competed in front of hundreds of college coaches at every level, hoping to impress them in their pursuit of scholarship opportunities. Naturally, some stood out more than others – and ultimately boosted their recruitment in the process.
During last season, we debuted our “5 Stars of the Week,” our regular installment of the top performers throughout the season. We’re bringing it back for a special summer edition, highlighting five of the top performers I thought helped themselves the most over the two weekends of the NEPSAC Scholastic Showcases.
Let’s dive in.
Dywane Chess, St. George’s
Class of 2026, 6-4 guard
Hometown: Bethlehem, Pa.
Chess looked like a refreshed player over the two weekends. The 6-foot-4 power guard did a little bit of everything for St. George’s across both weekends, which included impressive victories over Worcester Academy and Brewster Academy to close the Avon showcase. Chess is taking on a bigger role for the defending ISL champions, and he passed his first test; he played with consistent physicality, impacted the game on both ends and scored efficiently. He earned five more Division 1 offers during this live period – including Manhattan, Bryant and Fairfield – and he has clear momentum heading into the July period with the Middlesex Magic.
AVON STANDOUTS: Top backcourt performers | Top frontcourt performers
Jake Freeman, Middlesex
Class of 2026, 6-5 guard
Hometown: Providence, R.I.
Freeman was one of the most consistent scorers across both weekends, which included a 35-point outburst in a game at Babson before going off for 27 points with four 3-pointers against Cheshire and 25 points with four 3-pointers and eight rebounds against St. Thomas More at Avon Old Farms. He was a three-level scoring threat, especially from deep. The guard from BCRI has heard interest from low-major Division 1 programs and earned a scholarship from Division 2 Rollins College following Avon.
Cheick Sylla, Bridgton
Class of 2026, 6-10 center
Hometown: Bamako, Mali
After a standout debut season at Bridgton – where he averaged 24 points and 14 rebounds per game – Sylla looks slimmer, more mobile and more dangerous than before. Across both weekends, he showed off his rare blend of physicality, skill, footwork and shooting ability; he even hit teammates for full-court passes. There may not be a better post player returning in NEPSAC Class AAA than Sylla, who’s a clear Division 1 prospect and should be seeing more offers roll in.
BABSON STANDOUTS: 2026 backcourt | 2026 frontcourt | 2027 | 2028
Ty Tabales, New Hampton
Class of 2026, 6-2 guard
Hometown: Worcester, Mass.
There isn’t a more confident player in New England right now than Tabales, who was brilliant across both weekends. After coming off the bench for New Hampton last season, Tabales is already thriving in his new role as the Huskies’ lead guard. He was in complete control of the offense, decisive in his playmaking and at times, he couldn’t miss from deep. He knows exactly how to attack defenses and how to find his spots on the floor. He’s playing freely and more comfortable than I’ve seen before. Colleges have noticed, too. Seven Division 1 offers have arrived since the June live period, including Rhode Island, UMBC and Manhattan.
Devan Williams, Milton Academy
Class of 2026, 6-1 guard
Hometown: Uncasville, Conn.
I picked Williams as one of my 25 players to watch before the showcases started, and he delivered. He played with great pace, he scored consistently from all three levels and his fiery competitiveness was on display, too. He always found a way to make a play, and he was clutch down the stretch of a comeback win over Suffield, when he scored 13 points over the final three minutes. The Mustangs’ leading scorer last season, Williams figures to play an even larger role this winter and he looked up to the task over both weekends.
Honorable mentions: Merrick Smith, Kimball Union; Antonio Pemberton, Brewster; Lateef Afolabi, Dexter Southfield; Clyde Walters, Brewster; Keyshon Joyner, MacDuffie
