There’s little rest for the top prospects in New England.
The end of the scholastic season in mid-March shifted quickly to the grassroots season. AAU teams across the region swiftly transitioned into training camps and practices in late March as they prepare for showcase tournaments, live periods and continued development throughout the spring and to the summer into July.
With the careers of the 2026 class now in the books, it’s time to put the spotlight on the members of the 2027 class. The next several months represent a critical juncture in their recruitment timelines, with college coaches taking a deeper look at high school players who could make up their next class. It’s arguably the best opportunity for them to make a meaningful impression.
Last year, rising seniors all over the region significantly changed the trajectory of their college recruitment with standout grassroots seasons. Quinn Costello was arguably the biggest stock-riser in the country. Adama Tambedou and Amir Jenkins were among the other names who saw their recruitment soar.
Who might be some of those names this year? Here are 10 prospects in New England’s 2027 class who are primed for a breakout spring.
Josiah Adamson, Expressions Elite
6-4 guard
CATS Academy/Dorchester, Mass.
Adamson has continued a steady progression season after season over the last year between Expressions and CATS. A powerful, physical guard who has developed consistent 3-point range, Adamson is coming off a strong winter in CATS’ first season in the Nike EYBL Scholastic, leading the team in scoring while shooting 38 percent from deep in league play. He already holds Division 1 offers from Albany, Central Florida and Old Dominion and he has interest from high-major schools.
Spencer Booth, Middlesex Magic
6-10 center
Milton Academy/Scarborough, Maine
One of the most unique prospects in New England, Booth is coming off an All-ISL season at Milton Academy and brings winning intangibles. He’s a consistent producer who’s developed strength and has strong conditioning. He has an advanced back-to-the-basket scoring game, with great footwork and an ability to pass, and he defends well in the post and on ball screens. He’s primed to be one of the best bigs on the Under Armour Association circuit.
Donovan Clement, BCRI
6-8 wing
St. Mark’s/Pawtucket, R.I.
Clement was one of the biggest stock-risers of the New England prep season that he cemented with an MVP performance to lead St. Mark’s to the Class B Large championship, and he looks ready to carry that momentum into a monster grassroots season. An elite 3-point shooter with length and athleticism, Clement should attract Division 1 interest this spring and summer.
Jabari Edmonds, Team New England
6-5 forward
Phillips Andover/Providence, R.I.
After missing time in 2025 because of an injury, Edmonds was a force for Phillips Andover this season as helped lead the Big Blue to the No. 2 seed in Class A and a trip to the Class A championship game. A big body with a relentless motor, Edmonds is looking to build on his winter in Team New England’s first season on the Puma circuit.
Declan Griffiths, Middlesex Magic
6-7 wing
Newman/Simsbury, Conn.
There’s momentum for a breakout spring and summer for Griffiths, who cracked Rivals’ national rankings last fall, is now heading to Newman next season after a standout winter at Avon Old Farms. An elite 3-point shooter with length, he picked up an offer from Yale in mid-March to add to a collection of Division 1 offers, and he should be on a high-major trajectory. He enjoyed a strong July live period with the Magic’s top 17U team last summer and will be a focal point of their squad this year.
DJ Hawkins, BABC
6-8 wing
St. Thomas More/Farmington, Conn.
It feels like Hawkins is still tapping into his potential and his body. An athletic wing who can play above the rim and shoot consistently from 3-point range, the tools are all there for the St. Thomas More star. He can defend every position on the floor and has bought into rebounding for this BABC group. He already holds offers from West Virginia and Syracuse, and he’ll get plenty of eyes on him in his move to BABC on the Adidas circuit.
Ladanion Payne, Mass Rivals
6-1 guard
Brimmer & May/Mattapan, Mass.
Payne followed a strong grassroots season last year with Rivals’ top 16U team with an impressive winter at Brimmer as he continues to take significant steps as one of the best floor generals in the region. A shotmaker and fearless three-level scorer, Payne has evolved as a true point guard, and he has high-level athleticism to go with it all. He holds low-major Division 1 offers and should gain more steam this spring on at least the mid-major radar.
Greyson Pierce, BABC
6-8 wing
St. Thomas More/West Hartford, Conn.
Pierce missed a chunk of the NEPSAC season with an injury, but he returned in late February and should have some momentum heading into the spring. A reliable 3-point shooter, Pierce has room to grow as a passer, versatile defender and being a more physical presence inside as a rebounder. He’ll have that opportunity as one of the biggest players on this BABC team.
Antonio Pemberton, Mass Rivals
6-1 guard
Masters Academy International/Lawrence, Mass.
Arguably the top prospect in New England’s 2027 class, Pemberton already holds several high-major offers and has made official visits to Marquette and Utah, but he has a chance to skyrocket his recruitment even more with the spotlight firmly on him now. The Gatorade Player of the Year in New Hampshire, Pemberton is already a mature shotmaker who’s continuing to hone his skills as a true point guard.
Julien Wiggins, Middlesex Magic
5-11 guard
Westminster/New York, N.Y.
Wiggins is one of the more underrated players in the region, an electric downhill scoring talent who produces at all three levels and shot 37 percent from 3-point range this season at Westminster, where he was an All-Founders League first team selection. He already has Division 1 offers from Fairfield and Alcorn State and should warrant even more attention in his move to one of the top grassroots programs in the region.
