With the calendar soon turning to June, the AAU season is suddenly hitting the home stretch.
Grassroots teams around New England have been practicing and competing throughout the country since late March, and circuit championships are right around the corner in July. Just as importantly, recruits around the region have started to make strong impressions and rise on college radars.
The first live recruiting period – which allows college coaches to evaluate prospects in-person – of the spring and summer came from May 16-18, which gave us a better idea of which players have been the biggest stock-risers this season. Some have performed consistently well all spring, and saw it turn into tangible college interest following the live weekend.
Here are 10 boys' names that have been trending up.
Lateef Afolabi, Middlesex Magic
Class of 2026, 6-3 guard
Dexter Southfield/Dorchester, Mass.
Afolabi has earned a role as one of the main ball-handlers for the Magic’s 17U Hoop Group squad, and he’s excelled in it. An athletic guard who thrives in transition, Afolabi has made a consistent impact as a dribble-drive threat, not only getting to the rim and his strong mid-range jumper, but also making significant growth with his floor game, reading defenses and finding teammates while playing off of two feet in the paint. Afolabi – who Magic coach Lambros Papalambros said was the best player on the court during the second half of their live weekend game vs. Crown – is an emerging outside shooter. He took a few 3s per game during the live period and connected on about 40 percent, enough to make defenses honest. He’s getting interest from some Division 1 schools like NJIT, Quinnipiac, Wagner and Holy Cross.
Sage Baptiste, Team Sims
Class of 2026, 6-6 wing
Tabor/Wareham, Mass.
A big wing with three-level scoring ability, Baptiste has been a consistent force throughout the spring and continued to impress during the live period, where he averaged 23.3 points per game during Under Armour Rise Session 1. Baptiste played mostly on the interior last winter at Tabor but has shown a consistent perimeter game and outside stroke. He’s received college interest from several Division 1 schools, including VCU, Lehigh, Northeastern, Brown and Yale.
Quinn Costello, Middlesex Magic
Class of 2026, 6-10 forward
Newman/Medford, Mass.
Costello has always been an elite 3-point threat, but according to Magic coach Michael Crotty, the big man is now playing with a newfound confidence – and not just from behind the arc. He’s playing with a different level of competitiveness, motor and physicality this spring. He’s running the floor exceptionally well, playing above the rim with 2-3 dunks per game, defending guards and wings alike with purpose and toughness and rebounding at a higher clip. All of the elements of his game are coming together for the makings of a high-major prospect. He’s hearing from Syracuse, Michigan, Purdue, Virginia Tech, Wisconsin and many more Division 1 schools.
Chase Geremia, BABC
Class of 2026, 6-2 guard
Newman/Madison, Conn.
One of the best outside threats in the region, Geremia has shot 54 percent from 3-point range so far in Adidas circuit play. But on a loaded BABC squad where it may be hard to find shots in some games, he’s becoming more than just a shooter and contributing in other ways. On an undersized team with a short rotation, he’s committed to the glass, which showed in a nine-rebound effort in a victory over Compton Magic. He’s given BABC great effort on the defensive end, too. Geremia made Adidas’ all-breakout team following the live weekend and picked up offers from Towson and Penn.
Brayson Green, Mass Rivals
Class of 2026, 6-6 forward
Putnam Science/Beverly, Mass.
One of the most athletic prospects from New England, Green has been a consistent contributor early this spring for the Rivals. He’s a monster on both ends of the rim, a force in the open court and a high-energy defender who can guard multiple positions. After a strong live period – which included a double-double vs. Southern Assault – Green picked up an offer from UMass. His recruitment looks like it will continue to pick up steam over the next several months after reclassifying into the 2026 class.
Ryan McLaughlin, Middlesex Magic
Class of 2027, 6-2 guard
Milton Academy/Hanover, N.H.
McLaughlin led the Magic’s top 16U team in scoring over back-to-back weekends at the GymRat showcase in Albany – which included a 23-point performance against City Rocks – and then Under Armour Session 2, where he averaged 18 points over four games. He’s a confident and skilled three-level scorer who has a sharp crossover and can play above the rim. The son of Dartmouth head coach Dave McLaughlin, he’s a definite Patriot or Ivy League prospect, at the least.
Trey Miller, Team Sims
Class of 2026, 6-8 forward
St. Paul’s/Lansing, Mich.
With an ability to play inside and out, Miller has been one of the most consistent performers this spring for Team Sims. Like Baptiste, he’s had more of an opportunity to showcase his outside game than he did this season at St. Paul’s, and he’s displayed a confident 3-point stroke and impactful face-up game. He’s also a crafty playmaker who can break down defenders off the dribble, play with his back to the basket and finish strong at the rim. A dynamic frontcourt player, Miller is drawing interest from all college levels, from Patriot and Ivy League to high-academic Division 3 schools.
Brady O’Connell, Middlesex Magic
Class of 2026, 6-1 guard
Cushing/Bedford, N.H.
Papalmabros describes O’Connell like this: “He’s the best defender in the gym. Whatever gym you’re in, he’s the best on-ball defender.” The guard has shown his special defensive skillset all spring for the Magic’s 17U Hoop Group team, locking down opponents with his sturdy base, quick feet and elite closeout abilities. Offensively, he shot well from outside over the live period weekend as he continues to mold into a complete two-way player. He’s getting strong Division 3 interest, but some coaches think he has Division 1 potential.
Jaeden Roberts, Team New England
Class of 2026, 6-3 guard
Putnam Science/Boston, Mass.
One of the most natural scorers in the region, Roberts has torn up the MADE Hoops circuit this spring with his three-level ability and monster outside shooting performances. He’s extremely skilled with the ball in his hands, creating separation with his quick moves and leaving defenders off-balanced. Also a tough on-ball defender, Roberts is bound for the Division 1 level and picked up offers from Hofstra, Albany and UMass-Lowell after a breakout live period.
Adama Tambedou, Rhode Island Elite
Class of 2026, 6-8 forward
Putnam Science/Senegal, Africa
Tambedou is a naturally gifted athlete who can play above the rim with the best in the region, but he’s taken his game to new levels this spring and added new elements. His jump shot has improved, and he’s taken steps as a playmaker and making reads off the dribble. He has high-major potential if he can continue to combine his athleticism with his evolving skills and rim-protecting ability. Iowa State, Miami, Illinois, Rutgers, VCU, Saint Louis and Dayton have all expressed interest since a strong live period.
