The new NEPSAC boys basketball season is already inching closer.
In less than a month, open gyms will begin around New England as teams prepare for the 2026-27 season. That means it’s time for our second annual NEPSAC offseason coaches’ survey.
Last month, we sent out a survey to NEPSAC coaches with questions centering around the current landscape of the league, from the top players and teams entering the new season to big-picture topics. Coaches were granted anonymity so they could more freely express their opinions.
More than two dozen coaches responded to the survey. Here’s Part 1 of their answers about the best players and teams they’re watching in the new season.
Who is the best overall player currently in NEPSAC? Why?
Compared to last year, coaches had a harder time pinpointing the definitive best player in NEPSAC. There are several in the conversation.
St. Thomas More’s Patrick Otey (Westwood, Mass.) earned the most votes among coaches. The 6-foot-5 guard, currently ranked No. 89 nationally by ESPN in the Class of 2027, missed most of the summer due to injury but remains one of the best offensive talents in the region after averaging 21.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game last season.
“Tough shotmaker and taker,” one coach said. “He can flip the script in a game on his own. He draws so much attention from opposing teams’ defenses and can score in so many different ways. Will only open up more with the talent around him.”
“High-level off guard who has the ability to flex to primary ball handler in small doses,” one coach added. “Cerebral player who doesn’t get sped up and can score efficiently at all levels.”
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Sticking with the St. Thomas More theme, there were several votes for newcomer Declan Griffiths (Simsbury, Conn.). The 6-foot-8 wing has gained national attention this year as arguably the best 3-point shooting prospect in the region.
“Quick trigger, athletic, great positional size,” one coach said.
A pair of players from New Hampton earned recognition. One voted for Stetson Merritt, a 2027 guard who shined this summer at the NEPSAC Scholastic Showcases and with City Rocks during grassroots play.
“Best player at the most important position,” the coach said.
The other vote went to Derek Swartz (Portsmouth, N.H.), a 6-foot-5 guard who debuted at No. 2 in our 2028 rankings. He’ll play his first season with the Huskies this winter.
“Most versatile, biggest upside, will be highly productive at NHS,” the coach said.
It was notable that even though Masters Academy International players were not technically eligible for this survey because they aren’t in NEPSAC, several coaches made a point to mention that they believe Antonio Pemberton (Lawrence, Mass.) is the best player in New England. It’s hard to argue after his huge summer with Mass Rivals.
Other votes included MAI newcomer Josiah Adamson (Boston, Mass.), whose “improved jump shot makes him a difficult matchup with strength to score at the rim. Plus athlete, who can play in low A-10,” one coach said. “Very impressed.”
Newman wing Philipe Ndong, St. Thomas More wing Greyson Pierce (West Hartford, Conn.), Hotchkiss wing Alonzo Archbold, Phillips Andover guard Jabari Edmonds (Providence, R.I.), Winchendon guard Tavin Penix, Cushing newcomer Eli Prince, St. Luke’s guard Tyler Newsom (Monroe, Conn.), Nobles guard Jack Charchaflian (Winchester, Mass.) and St. Mark’s guard CJ Farrell (Milford, Mass.) all received votes in this section.
Who is the best guard currently in NEPSAC? Why?
There were a variety of answers here, including several mentioned in the best player question. Those players include Otey, Penix and Newsom and Merritt.
On Otey: “I think he is just ready today to positively impact a college game,” one coach said. “I believe he could be playing starter minutes right now at a MM+ school.”
On Penix: “Positional size, three-level scorer, draws fouls, great teammate, underrated defender, and super disciplined in his approach,” one coach said.
On Newsom: “Great overall player on both ends,” one coach said. “Such a tough cover.”
Newman’s Jaylen Hunter-Coleman (Boston, Mass.) earned multiple votes in this section after a strong summer with BABC.
“Older, stronger and more athletic than his peers, and is the best in 26/27 class at attacking the rim and being in the paint,” another coach said.
Several NEPSAC newcomers earned recognition here. Cushing’s Josh Charlot (Fairfield, Conn.), a 2028 transfer from Notre Dame Prep, garnered a couple of votes.
“He will be the next great Cushing guard,” one coach said. “He has tremendous speed with the ball in his hands, can get downhill, makes the right play, can pick you up full court.”
Two newcomers were picked here: Brewster’s Alex Pace, a postgraduate who won the UAA 17U championship and MVP this summer during the grassroots season, and Kimball Union's Ian VanWagner.
A pair of under-the-radar selections: St. George’s guard and Brown commit Jelani Middleton, and Darrow guard Nalajah Christopher (Worcester, Mass.).
“Most underrated player in New England,” one coach said of Christopher.
Other guards to earn votes here were Vermont Academy’s Mamadou Camara (Salem, Mass.), Phillips Exeter’s Cole McClure (Stratham, N.H.), Cushing’s Sam Brigham (Springfield, Mass.), Milton Academy’s Reece Ayala (Lawrence, Mass.) and Choate’s Sincere Folk (Meriden, Conn.).
Who is the best wing/forward currently in NEPSAC? Why?
There was a runaway winner for this question: Griffiths.
The St. Thomas More transfer from Avon Old Farms had a terrific grassroots season with the Middlesex Magic in which he shot 37 percent from 3-point range. But the 6-foot-8 standout isn’t just a driller from deep.
“Continues to improve with high-major skills,” one coach said.
“I think he has NBA 3-and-D upside and is wired correctly,” another coach said.
Two of Griffiths’ new teammates received nods for this question: DJ Hawkins (Farmingdale, Conn.) and Pierce.
“High combination of size, skill and ability to spread the floor is special,” one coach said of Pierce. “He moves well, has great range, and has grown as a guy that can put the ball on the deck against a closeout.”
Multiple coaches picked Archbold, the star of the reigning Class A champion, Hotchkiss. He’s up to No. 17 in our Class of 2027 rankings.
“Guards 1-5, versatile scorer, dynamic leader,” one coach said. “Winner.”
Two Newman prospects were chosen. Ndong, who’s up to No. 5 in our 2027 rankings, got two votes, and his teammate Preston Bollin (Raynham, Mass.) each snagged a vote.
On Ndong: “Driller as a shooter with length,” one coach said. “He improves every month.”
On Bollin: “Body is college ready,” one coach said. “Makes enough threes to be a threat but great motor in transition and as a cutter.”
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Cole Blackburn (Winchester, Mass.), the 6-foot-7 wing at Worcester Academy who committed to Dartmouth, has the attention of one coach.
“If he can shoot like he did at the second showcase weekend he could be the best player in AA,” the coach said. “All the physical tools in the world and he's added muscle to his frame. Shooting and discipline could take him far.”
Masters School (NY) 2028 forward Damian Mojica, who entered high-major status this summer, earned one vote. He was one of the best players at June’s NEPSAC Showcase and should be one of the best players in Class B Large this season.
Other wings and forwards mentioned: Edmonds, CATS Academy wing Donovan Clement (Providence, R.I.) and Cushing wing Eliot Erickson (Gardner, Mass.), who’s primed for a big winter after missing most of the last year with an injury.
Who is the best post player/big currently in NEPSAC? Why?
This answer seemed like an easy choice for most coaches. Cushing’s Nate Blenman was picked by more than one-third of the coaches who submitted the survey.
The 6-foot-9 big has had some injury misfortune, but he was healthy and dominant through the spring and summer with Team New England and Cushing. One coach had especially glowing praise.
“Can't move him off his spot and he has great balance for his size,” the coach said. “Awesome footwork with his back to the basket and great hands that just snatch every rebound and pass coming his way. Ability to screen, roll, and seal must be a point guard's dream to play with. If he improves his conditioning, lateral quickness, and outside touch he has a chance to be the best in the 2027 class when we look back in five years.”
“A healthy Nate Blenman for sure is dominant,” one coach added. “Best hands and ability to finish. If he changes his body and conditioning, we will see him at (the) highest level.”
St. Mark’s big man Luca Palermo (Andover, Mass.), the reigning Class B Large Player of the Year, received several votes, too.
“Unbelievably tough cover,” one coach said. “Post moves for days and under control.”
“He is one of the best rebounders, post scorers, and can really pass at his size,” another added. “He does not get as much love as others because he is in Class B, but he is a tremendous post player that can do it all.”
Tilton’s Salim Diaby, a 2028 center who is one of the most improved players in the region over the last year, earned multiple votes.
“Force in the paint on both ends, athletic and mobile enough to switch and contain guards, skill level improving rapidly,” one coach said. “Was the most impactful big I saw at the showcase.”
One coach remarked that Chance Finlayson (Newport, R.I.), a 2029 for St. George’s, “can do everything and (his) confidence is growing.” Other choices for this question included Winchendon newcomer Jack Burley, Albany Academy newcomer Isaac Gonda and Choate’s Timmy Dennis.
Who is the most underrated player currently in NEPSAC? Why?
This is one of my favorite questions every year because it produces so much variety. This year, 20 players were named in answers.
Three players earned multiple votes here: Farrell, St. Sebastian’s guard Solis Blue (Milton, Mass.) and Cheshire guard Christian Zarzycki.
On Farrell: “Can play at any level and impact the game,” one coach said.
On Blue: “Solis is one of the better scoring guards in NE, should have a great season,” one coach said.
On Zarzycki: “Winner,” one coach said. “Excellent shooter, tremendous IQ. Plays with toughness.”
Three players from Newman were recognized here: Hunter-Coleman, Ndong and Davon Maloney.
On Hunter Coleman: “I think that he is the best defensive prospect in NEPSAC, while also growing his offensive game,” one coach said. “He is a bulldog, and people don't always think about him because he has been on such a talented team at Newman. He is ultra competitive and will assume the role as the leader for the 2-time defending AAA champs.”
There were two representatives from Milton Academy here: Ayala and Connor Noel (Waltham, Mass.).
“Reece Ayala is going to remind a lot of people really fast just how good he is,” one coach said.
On Noel: Probably the best shooter in every gym he walks into,” one coach said. “He's adding weight and rebounding the ball well.”
Guard play dominated this answer, which included a few picks I definitely agree with. Dexter Southfield transfer Thomas Quinlan (Dorchester, Mass.) made the list, as did a pair of smaller but impactful guards in Winchester’s Treddy Faison, who just committed to Albany, and Deerfield’s Teddy Cyr (Hadley, Mass.).
On Quinlan: "Father was a great player at Bentley, and Thomas is now figuring out how to score in many ways, one coach said. “Absorbs contact. Very good shooter. Possibly can move over to the (point guard), but very comfortable playing off the ball. Patriot/Ivy player that isn't talked enough about!”
On Faison: “Two-way player who gets paint touches, defends, rebounds, shares the sugar, etc.,” one coach said.
On Cyr: “I think the player people don't give enough credit to for his impact on winning is Teddy Cyr from Deerfield,” one coach said. “Likely a NESCAC player, but the kid is an absolute winner and was a massive part of getting Deerfield to new heights.”
Zion Robinson (Hamden, Conn.), a 6-foot-11 forward for Hopkins who cracked our 2028 rankings at No. 45, also earned a mention.
The other names that were picked: St. George’s guard Ethan Njenga (Lowell, Mass.) was praised for how he “impacts winning in so many ways, good defender and point guard, improved shooter.” One coach believes St. Andrew’s 2028 guard Malachi Odugbela (Providence, R.I.) is a top 30 player in the nation. Exeter's McClure, Brimmer & May’s Tyson Robinson (Newton, Mass.), Suffield’s Ladainian Rodrigues (Attleboro, Mass.), Mount St. Charles’ Kyle Delves (Providence, R.I.), Vermont Academy’s Trey Ambrozich and Austin Prep’s William Nunes (Danvers, Mass.) all received votes.
