STOUGHTON, Mass. — The 2025 grassroots season is hitting an important inflection point in the calendar.
The opening NCAA live recruiting period looms next weekend from May 16-18, which allows Division 1 coaches to watch recruits play in-person. It’s the first of several live periods this spring and summer, which gives coaches valuable insight and added context on players. For recruits, it’s a crucial opportunity to impress in front of coaches against high-level competition.
This past weekend was the calm before the storm, in a sense. But the Hoop Group’s annual New England Jam Fest gave teams from around the region – and beyond – a chance to stay sharp against good competition before heading out to live period events across the country next weekend. It was a valuable opportunity, too, to see New England AAU teams play locally under one roof. Top sneaker circuit teams like BABC, Mass Rivals and Middlesex Magic in addition to several independent grassroots teams participated in the event, with some of the top recruits in the region taking part.
Jam Fest was split up into four different locations around southeastern Massachusetts over the weekend; I picked the Dana Barros Basketball Club to catch the 17U and 16U squads compete as dozens of Division 3 coaches from the area lined the walls to watch. Here are seven standouts who caught my eye – including some new names I hadn’t previously got a good look at – as I roamed the courts for Saturday’s action.
Ramere Brown, The House We Built 17U HGSL
Class of 2026, 6-2 guard
Hometown: Albany, N.Y.
An incoming transfer guard at St. Andrew’s, Brown showed great poise and clutch play in The House We Built’s victory over BCRI. He scored eight points in the final minutes, including a pair of 3-pointers to close out the 64-53 win. Brown is a big guard with a strong frame who was in control as a lead guard and demonstrated a two-way impact; he finished with 15 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Nate Djanogly, The House We Built 17U HGSL
Class of 2026, 6-9 forward
Hometown: London, England
After an injury kept him out for most of the winter at Northfield Mount Hermon, Djanogly is back and showcased a promising weekend. The 6-foot-9 forward was a catalyst in The House We Built’s victory over BCRI with hustle rebounds and showing his skill with passes in transition and a solid touch around the rim and from outside. On one play, he got the ball in the post and made a quick read out when he sensed a double team that resulted in a hockey assist for a 3-pointer. He also showed some aggressiveness with a strong baseline drive to beat a defender at the rim for two. Djanogly finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two blocks in the win over BCRI and then tallied 17 points and five boards in a win over Connecticut Elite on Sunday.
Quinn Costello, Middlesex Magic 17U
Class of 2026, 6-9 forward
Hometown: Medford, Mass.
Confidence is brewing for Costello. After a strong performance at GymRat last weekend in Albany, N.Y., he carried the momentum to Jam Fest. The biggest difference in the Newman forward’s game this spring has been his increased physicality. He fought inside for offensive rebounds and he was living above the rim, where he finished several dunks and alley-oops in transition, and attacked the basket with intention. Costello drained a handful of 3-pointers in two easy Magic victories, too. He’s set up for a big live period next weekend.
Rowan Introzzi, Middlesex Magic 17U
Class of 2026, 6-5 forward
Hometown: Eastchester, N.Y.
Introzzi also plays football as a tight end and it was easy to see why with consistent physicality during the Magic HGSL team’s victory over Excel Cardinals. The 6-foot-5 forward was dominant as he continued to show why he’s an intriguing prospect with his combination of skill, toughness and finishing ability. He embraced contact for multiple three-point plays, including one where he attacked a defender at the rim from the baseline, and he was difficult to contain whenever he got the ball at the high post as he used his big frame, quickness and strong footwork to draw multiple fouls. He showed some finesse, too. The highlight of the game came in the second half, when he delivered a perfect full-court pass through multiple defenders to a teammate for an easy bucket.
CJ Farrell, Mass Rivals 16U
Class of 2027, 6-1 guard
Hometown: Milford, Mass.
Farrell, who was one of the best scorers in NEPSAC Class B last season, showcased his entire bag in a dominant first half as he led Rivals to a comfortable victory over Team Northeast. I counted 21 points in the first half for Farrell, who hit three 3-pointers and a couple of mid-range jumpers that were so pure that the net barely moved, and he was such a threat that he was fouled on one of his attempts from deep. He also had a terrific finish in transition where he expertly shielded the ball at the rim for a picture-perfect reverse layup.
Ethan Njenga, BABC 16U
Class of 2027, 6-1 guard
Hometown: Lowell, Mass.
It would be difficult to find many 2027 guards with a better slashing and finishing ability than Njenga. The St. George’s guard – with help from BABC backcourt mate TJ Allen – led an impressive comeback victory on Saturday. BABC trailed by 22 in the second half before storming back for a 61-55 win over Miami Triple Threat. Njenga couldn’t be stopped. He scored 26 points, which included several difficult finishes at the rim. The 6-foot-1 guard was constantly getting downhill with little resistance, and he showed strong body control with his array of moves at the basket, which included several euro steps, contorting his body in mid-air and finishing with both hands.
Tahlan Pettway, BABC 17U
Class of 2026, 6-2 guard
Hometown: Worcester, Mass.
Pettway didn’t arrive to BABC 17U’s first game against Hoop Roots until halftime, but he had a good excuse; he had graduation at St. Thomas More. Pettway – who’s doing a postgraduate season at STM – apparently didn’t need much time to warm up either, because he quickly caught fire from deep. Pettway scored 17 points, including five 3-pointers, in the second half to help BABC turn a two-point game at halftime into a blowout. Some of his 3-point looks were very deep, and included a couple of heat checks. Pettway is having a strong spring on a star-studded BABC squad that is now 24-0. His ability to stretch the defense will be valuable alongside stars Abdou Toure, Alex Egbuonu and Amir Jenkins, who are among the best slashers and playmakers in the region.
