NEPSAC Class AAA typically has the strongest concentration of college-ready prospects.
While recruiting times are changing, and the AAA teams have expanded their rosters more to include younger prospects, there are still a large number of 2027 recruits searching for their future college hoops home. Many of the class’ top prospects have already committed, but there are still some prominent players available.
As the 2026-27 season gets underway, here are 10 uncommitted prospects to keep an eye on in Class AAA.
Mamadou Camara, Vermont Academy
Class of 2027, 6-2 guard
Hometown: Salem, Mass.
An All-NEPSAC honorable mention in his first AAA season, Camara landed on our preseason Player of the Year watch list. He leads the next chapter at Vermont Academy under new head coach Patrick Ewing Jr. Beyond his obvious playmaking attributes, he brings winning intangibles with his leadership and hustle play.
NEPSAC RANKINGS: Top 10 | Next 10
Avery Council, Hoosac
Class of 2027, 6-1 guard
Hometown: Henrietta, N.Y.
The CATS Academy transfer has already made his presence felt at Hoosac, where he scored a game-high 30 points on 9-for-15 shooting and 4-6 from 3-point range in Wednesday’s thrilling overtime victory over New Hampton. He’ll lead the backcourt for an Owls team looking to build on last season’s Class AAA runner-up finish as they now shift to the NEBL.
Oliver Gray, Newman
Class of 2027, 6-6 guard
Hometown: Barrington, Ill.
Gray made an exciting first impression with Newman at June’s NEPSAC Scholastic Showcase, scoring 20 points per game in three wins while shooting 60 percent from 3-point range. But beyond his elite shotmaking, Newman coach Justin Perron has also lauded Gray’s toughness, competitiveness and winning habits; he was among the Cardinals’ leaders in wins during fall open gyms.
WATCH LIST: 10 Player of the Year candidates in Class AAA
DJ Hawkins, St. Thomas More
Class of 2027, 6-9 wing
Hometown: Farmington, Conn.
Hawkins is our highest-ranked available player, at No. 4 in our latest Best of New England 2027 rankings. At 6-foot-9, he has a blend of positional size, athleticism and length that should help him be an immediate impact player at whatever Division 1 school lands him.
Kareem Hopkins, South Kent
Class of 2027, 6-7 wing
Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario
Hopkins was among my favorite prospects during the June live period. In two games against St. Thomas More and New Hampton, he averaged 17 points and five rebounds per game as he showed intriguing tools with his ability to create off the dribble and protect the rim.
Matthew Jernigan, Vermont Academy
Class of 2027, 6-4 guard
Hometown: Durham, N.H.
An underrated 2027 prospect, Jernigan was an impact player on Mass Rivals’ 17U 3SSB team. He has loads of intriguing tools, including athleticism, positional size, defensive effort and energy that should translate well to the next level.
PLAYOFF FORECAST: Who will win Class AAA?
Ty Lewis, Darrow
Class of 2027, 7-foot center
Hometown: Toledo, Ohio
A newcomer to Darrow’s sizable frontcourt, Lewis was a member of the Atlantic Celtics on the Adidas 3SSB circuit and brings great size and rim-protecting ability. He holds an offer from Georgia Tech.
James Minlend, Brewster
Class of 2027, 6-7 wing
Hometown: Harrisburg, N.C.
A fifth-year senior, Minlend is a three-star rated recruit who Brewster coach Luke Rosinski described as the “backbone” of his team, a glue player who will be one of the Bobcats’ best defenders who will do anything asked of him, from defending multiple positions to diving on the floor for loose balls. He has two publicized Division 1 offers from Washington State and UNC Greensboro.
Alex Pace, Brewster
Class of 2027, 6-2 guard
Hometown: Camden, N.J.
The MVP of the Under Armour Association this summer is one of the most exciting newcomers to New England this winter with his elite burst, scoring and passing ability. Texas Southern, Arkansas State and Lehigh are among his most recent offers, and he took an official visit to Arkansas State.
Leon Powe III, Newman
Class of 2027, 6-5 guard
Hometown: Richmond, Calif.
With some players out injured at Newman throughout the fall, Powe had a bigger opportunity to showcase his abilities during open gyms and impressed. He has great positional size at 6-foot-5, rebounds at a high rate and he’s gifted offensively. Newman coach Justin Perron thinks there’s a good chance he could explode this season.


