The Gatorade Player of the Year award is one of the most prestigious honors in high school basketball.
Since 1985, the award has recognized the top student-athletes in every state and the District of Columbia for their accomplishments on and off the court. A committee selects the winners based on a combination of criteria that includes athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character.
In New England, the competition was once again strong for the Gatorade boys basketball players of the year. This year, four of the top prep players in the region were recognized, including two Class of 2027 prospects.
Here’s the list of six winners from the region. Check out the full list of winners here.
Connecticut: Abdou Toure, Notre Dame West Haven
Class of 2026, 6-6 wing
Hometown: West Haven, Conn.
NCAA: Arkansas
For a second consecutive year, Toure was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Connecticut after he averaged 24.6 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals per game while shooting better than 40 percent from 3-point range as he led Notre Dame West Haven to a 22-4 record and an appearance in the CIAC Division 1 state semifinals. The Arkansas commit, who’s ranked No. 22 nationally in ESPN’s Class of 2026, finished his high school career as a two-time state champion with a program record 1,981 points.
Maine: Nolan Ames, Camden Hills
Class of 2026, 6-2 guard
Hometown: Rockport, Maine
NCAA: Colby College
Ames averaged 26.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and three steals per game as he led Camden Hills to a 20-2 record and an appearance in the Class A state championship game in Maine. A three-year captain, he finished his career as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,585 points.
“Nolan’s the best player we faced all season,” said Brunswick coach Ben Clark. “He shoots it really well, but he’s more than just a shooter because he can score at all three levels. He’s an elite athlete with an incredible first-step burst. He also jumps well and can finish over the top. His court vision is excellent. In fact, he might be a better passer than scorer. And defensively, he can guard at a high level at all five positions. I think he’s the best player in Maine.”
Massachusetts: Alex Egbuonu, Lawrence Academy
Class of 2026, 6-6 wing
Hometown: Nashua, N.H.
NCAA: Marquette
One of the biggest matchup problems in NEPSAC boys basketball, Egbuonu averaged 25.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 36.2 percent from beyond the arc. He led Lawrence Academy to a 22-8 record and a berth in the NEPSAC boys Class AA playoffs as the No. 6 seed. Egbuonu, ranked No. 71 in ESPN’s Class of 2026 rankings, was the MVP of the Zero Gravity Prep Classic, an All-NEPSAC Class AA selection and an Independent School League Defensive Player of the Year finalist.
New Hampshire: Antonio Pemberton, Brewster Academy
Class of 2027, 6-1 guard
Hometown: Lawrence, Mass.
Pemberton averaged 17 points, five assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals through 30 games while shooting 40.1 percent from beyond the arc, and his Pemberton’s 16.3 points per game in the Nike EYBL Scholastic League ranked 10th among all scorers on the circuit. In an expanded role this season, he led Brewster to a 30-6 record. He’s ranked 60th in ESPN’s Class of 2027 rankings.
Rhode Island: Eliezer Delbrey, Classical
Class of 2026, 6-3 guard
Hometown: Providence, R.I.
Delbrey averaged a state-leading 27.2 points and added eight rebounds and six assists per game while leading Classical to a 19-8 record and a run to the Division 1 quarterfinals. He became the ninth player in state history to surpass 2,000 career points as he finished with 2,203 points, which ranks sixth in state history, and he won Division 1 Player of the Year in the state for a third consecutive year.
“My whole game plan this year against Classical was focused around stopping him and he still had 22 against us,” said Shea High School coach James Sorrentine. “He makes the game look easy. The thing I love about him—and what makes him so hard to guard—is his ability to take what the defense gives him. To be as unselfish as he is and still put up the numbers he puts up is really special and the reason he consistently wins.”
Vermont: Kamari Whyte, Vermont Academy
Class of 2027, 6-3 guard
Hometown: Harlem, N.Y.
In his second season at Vermont Academy, Whyte averaged 21.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 2.2 assists per game while leading the Wildcats to a 21-14 record, the NEPSAC Class AAA semifinals and another trip to the national prep championship tournament. He became the fourth player in program history to reach 1,000 career points, finishing with 1,288 points at the conclusion of the year. He’s ranked No. 140 nationally in 24/7 Sports’ Class of 2027 rankings.
