Our Under the Radar series rolls on to the Class of 2028, and as we've already discussed, the guard depth in this class is remarkable.
Even as the 2028s begin their junior years, they still have plenty of time to pique the interest of colleges at all levels. So this batch of under-the-radar talents is a mix of who I'd consider "underrated" in various respects. Two of these players, as I state clearly, are among the upper-tier members of our Best of New England Top 50 rankings. I believe they should generate more Division 1 buzz.
Others are further down the rankings but critical to their respective teams, and I believe they deserve more acclaim. And half this list includes players I have unranked. I'm excited to see them potentially prove me wrong or otherwise show their talent nonetheless.
Here are my 10 under-the-radar names to know in the 2028 class.
MORE UNDER THE RADAR:Â 2027 guards | 2027 wings and forwards
Jazzlyn Booth, Suffield
5-7 guard
Hometown: East Hartford, Conn.
Booth's twin sister, Juju, gets recognition as an early 2028 standout prospect. But I think Jazzlyn has made strides in her own development over the last year. She's a very different type of guard from her sister as more of a pure point guard and traditional floor general. But I think Booth makes very smart decisions and catches opponents off guard with some of her burst to the rim. Suffield no longer has Sammi Santacroce after she transferred to MacDuffie, so I think Booth has an opportunity for greater impact on a Class B Large contender.
Carolyn Joo, King
5-7 guard
Hometown: Ridgefield, Conn.
Joo is the highest-ranked prospect on our 2028 Best of New England list who, to my knowledge, hasn't received a Division 1 offer yet. At No. 14, she's one of the elite guards and best pure scorers in this class. Joo lit up the scoreboard and willed King to the Class B Small playoffs last year by averaging 26.1 points (with a 37 percent 3-point clip), 5.4 rebounds, 4.1 steals and three assists. She's a dangerous perimeter scorer, capable of heating up both off the catch and on quick pull-up shots. Joo has a tight handle and I thought she showed an eagerness to attack the basket when I watched her at the Scholastic Showcase. I would go to bat for her being a Division 1-caliber guard.
Juliet Laws, Bedford
5-8 guard
Hometown: Bedford, N.H.
I have Laws ranked No. 29 in our Best of New England hierarchy as the top 2028 prospect currently in the NHIAA. New Hampshire's high schools lost a lot of talent to graduation and prep school this offseason, so Laws has a real chance for big-time production on perennial powerhouse Bedford. I've always appreciated how decisive and compact Laws is with her drives and guard decisions. She's a tough lefty who can score through contact, cut smartly and pester opposing guards on defense.
Giavanna Mars, Springfield Central
5-6 guard
Hometown: Springfield, Mass.
I've written and spoken glowingly about Mars' game for a while — even on our HoopWise Podcast summer rankings talk. She's No. 37 in our Best of New England rankings and should contend for our MIAA Player of the Year award after making our All-MIAA Second Team last year. Mars is a stellar perimeter defender and quick point guard overall who can beat players off the dribble and make a spot-up 3. On a young team last year, despite being an underclassman herself, Mars helped lead Springfield Central to the Div. 1 final. The Golden Eagles are my way-too-early top MIAA team.
Ella Martin, Barrington
5-8 guard
Hometown: Barrington, R.I.
Martin's signature highlight from the last scholastic season was her deep-range bomb that sent the RIIL state championship to overtime. But she also scored 16 points and earned MVP honors from that championship victory, underscoring a breakout sophomore season in which she averaged (per MaxPreps) 11.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.2 steals per game. Martin made 50 3-pointers and can heat up behind the arc. She'll lead Barrington's title defense this year as one of Rhode Island's top public school talents.
Kayla Mouzon, St. Luke's
5-8 guard
Hometown: Norwalk, Conn.
Mouzon impressed me particularly following the Scholastic Showcase, where she shined for St. Luke's. She's a versatile guard who works well as a cutter and spot-up shooter first. But Mouzon has more of a scoring bag than I initially realized and is a very difficult guard to stop on drives with her length and natural touch. I think St. Luke's will be in the Class B Large title conversation with Mouzon among the squad's most important two-way players. She's No. 32 in our Best of New England rankings.
Lily Norton, Tilton
5-7 guard
Hometown: Marblehead, Mass.
Norton will step into a larger role at Tilton this year following the graduation of Bela Cucuta and Maddie McCaffery, the Rams' two lead guards. She's got plenty of experience running the show though between her time at Tilton, playing on MCW Starz's top 2027 grassroots team and even previously winning an MIAA title as St. Mary's starting point guard. Norton's reliable decisions and heads-up passing make her a winner on offense, and she's one of Tilton's toughest perimeter defenders too.
Allegra Paquette, Greens Farms
5-9 guard
Hometown: Darien, Conn.
Paquette is one of the underrated elite sharpshooters in this class. She's so quick launching 3s off movement and is great at setting herself and squaring up in very tight windows. Paquette moves well without the basketball and isn't afraid to take a defender one-on-one for a straight-line drive. She's got long arms for her size and is a difficult 1-on-1 defensive matchup too. I'm circling Paquette as a potential breakout player of note in Class B Large.
Joy Robinson, Rivers
5-7 guard
Hometown: Norwood, Mass.
I fully expect Rivers to return to Class B Large contender status this winter. Robinson will be a huge reason why. She has long been one of my favorite defenders to watch in this class, combining her length at her size with great lateral quickness and consistent effort. Robinson has improved as a driving guard and added strength that I think will pay off as she becomes an upperclassman. I have her ranked No. 26 in the local 2028 class.
Aaralyn Scott, St. Andrew's
5-6 guard
Hometown: Providence, R.I.
Scott has one offer from UNH that came more than a year and a half ago. At No. 17 in our 2028 rankings, she belongs at the Division 1 level. She averaged 17 points last year and shot 43 percent behind the 3-point line. That's only part of her well-rounded overall skill. Scott makes some impressive passing reads, uses her strong frame to win through contact and has some of the better handles and skill moves in her class.
