With hundreds of prospects scattered throughout New England, it’s hard to keep track of everyone. The top prospects, naturally, gobble up most of the attention and headlines.
In August, we released our updated watch lists of New England’s top 10 college prospects of the 2026, 2027 and 2028 classes. But what about those who might be a cut below that group? The ones that are flying under the radar?
It’s time to show them some love. Before the 2025-26 season gets going, we’re highlighting some of the most underrated names in the region. These prospects don’t get the fanfare that the established stars get, but I believe warrant more buzz. They range from Div. 1 to Div. 3 talents; in some cases, I think they should have better recruitment than they’re currently getting. Others have cracked my notes during showcases this summer and I haven’t had a chance to give them their due until now.
We’re starting our series of underrated boys prospects with 15 guards from the 2026 class before we shift to wings/forwards, bigs and the 2027 class. One caveat: None of these players have been listed on a previous watch list. Let’s get into it.
James Caldarella, Cheshire
6-3 guard
Hometown: Barrington, R.I.
Last fall, Caldarella made my honorable mentions in my list of the best shooters in New England, and he’s only continued to prove that. He even drilled 11 3-pointers in an AAU game with BCRI this summer. But he’s certainly more than that. Caldarella – who’s doing a postgraduate season at Cheshire after a decorated career at Bishop Hendricken – is a three-level scorer with a natural feel for the game, and has winning habits on both sides of the ball. He caught my attention at June’s NEPSAC Showcases with his defensive rebounding ability, consistent defensive pressure and active hands that disrupted opposing ball-handlers and generated turnovers. Caldarella has earned interest from Division 1 Air Force and he’s someone to keep an eye on in his NEPSAC move this winter.
JJ Carter, Kent School
6-4 guard
Hometown: West Islip, N.Y.
Carter is something of a guard/wing hybrid, with certainly a bigger size and wingspan than most guards, but he’s a regular ball-handler for Kent School. He led the Founders League in scoring at 24 points per game last season as he was named to the Founders League second team and a NEPSAC Class A honorable mention. Carter has a healthy offensive tool set: he can shoot, play above the rim, score at all three levels, get by defenders and finish well with both hands at the rim and work as a playmaker with strong court vision. He has a really comfortable feel on the ball, and defensively, he swallows up opposing guards with his length, brings rim protection and doesn’t give up on plays. He earned his first Division 1 offer from Le Moyne in June and he’s a certain Div. 1 prospect.
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Jayden Harrington, New Hampton
6-5 guard
Hometown: Glen Ridge, N.J.
Harrington was a starter on one of the best prep teams in New England last season, but didn’t have a ton of usage and was often overshadowed on a loaded roster. But the son of former NBA player Adam Harrington is one of the best shooters in New England – he shot 38.4 percent from deep last season at New Hampton – who doesn’t need the spotlight. He’s a high-IQ player who makes winning plays, never forces the issue offensively, mixes it up on the glass and brings intensity on the defensive end. With several players graduating from last year’s team, Harrington will step into a bigger role this winter and he’ll have the trust to do more as continues adding components to his game.
Trokon Harris, Brooks
6-1 guard
Hometown: Lowell, Mass.
An unsung hero of Brooks’ Class B championship last season, Harris is the straw that stirs the drink for head coach Kenya Jones’ cast. Harris has been an important catalyst at Brooks over the last several years and brings it on both ends of the court. He’s a floor general, a pass-first point guard who limits turnovers, gets to the rim and blows up passing lanes defensively. He's one of the best rebounders on the team, even at 6-foot-1, which allows him to push the pace and initiate offense. Harris, an emerging shooter who’s gaining confidence from the perimeter, is likely a Division 3 talent who will be a coup for any program.
Andre Langley, Holderness
6-5 guard
Hometown: Marblehead, Mass.
Langley is among the most underrated scorers in the region, a three-level threat who posted 16.2 points per game as a junior while shooting 36.3 percent from deep, including a 26-point performance against New Hampton. He made my list of standouts at June’s NEPSAC Scholastic Showcase at Avon Old Farms, where he consistently got downhill and made tough shots. He’s a confident player who gets to his spots, makes an effort on the glass and is difficult to contain with his size, skill, athleticism and shotmaking. He received an offer from Division 2 Franklin Pierce in June, and I think he could warrant higher offers with a big senior season.
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Rhaki Lum, Brunswick
6-2 guard
Hometown: Middletown, Del.
Lum earned multiple votes in our NEPSAC coaches’ survey as the most underrated player in the league. It’s hard to argue. Brunswick may not get a lot of buzz, but Lum’s production and skill set deserves more attention. He averaged 22 points per game, including 25 in Class A, and shot 38 percent from 3 and 85 percent from the free-throw line as he was named an All-NEPSAC selection in Class A. It’s hard to describe, but he just passes the eye test as a Division 1 player — a guard who’s always in control, scores from all three levels and makes the game look easy with his flow. He has great balance with the ball, and hurts defenders with his breakdown drives, tough finishes and spot-up triples. Lum has an offer in hand from Northern Illinois and interest from several other lower Div. 1s. It’s time for New England to know his name.
Kingston Maxwell, Abington High School
6-4 guard
Hometown: Abington, Mass.
One of the top returning players in MIAA, Maxwell is a certain college prospect whose scoring ability and athleticism should earn him looks at the Division 2 or 3 level, at least. He led Abington with a complete stat line of 22.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 2.0 steals per game and translated that to a strong spring and summer with the Middlesex Magic’s Hoop Group squad. He has a polished offensive game as a long guard who has a strong handle, can push the ball in transition and make good reads in the half-court, using his size, skill and athleticism to get to the rim and make tough finishes. I love his motor defensively, too; he’s an active rebounder and on-ball defender who covers a ton of space with his length. That also helps him be an effective shot-blocker.
Markus Maxwell-Grimes, Suffield
6-1 guard
Hometown: New York, N.Y.
A standout during the NEPSAC Scholastic Showcase at Avon Old Farms in June, Maxwell-Grimes returns as one of the most fundamentally sound point guards in the league this winter. He led Suffield in assists, steals, deflections and offensive rebounding last season, which represents the loads of winning traits he brings to the table. I was hugely impressed with his feel for the game at Avon; it seemed like whenever he had the ball, he always made a good read, whether it was hitting teammates on cuts to the basket, finding space to penetrate the paint or pulling up from deep. He’s a name that low-major Division 1s should be all over.
Evan Mitchner, Lawrence Academy
6-3 guard
Hometown: Providence, R.I.
It can be difficult to grab attention alongside nationally-ranked teammate Alex Egbuonu, but Mitchner makes everything go for Lawrence Academy, which was evident when he returned from an injury-plagued season to lead the Spartans into the playoffs in March. He finishes with both hands at an elite level and set the tone defensively last season with his energy and communication. The biggest feedback he got in his recruitment last year was to improve as a shooter, and he went from 25 percent to 37 percent from deep last season, which include nine makes against Thayer and seven triples against Winchendon. Mitchner has only gotten better since, adding 12 pounds of muscle since June. He’s been a pleasant surprise to coaches in early open gym runs and he seems primed for a breakout senior season.
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Brady O’Connell, Cushing
6-1 guard
Hometown: Bedford, N.H.
One of my favorite recent pieces of scouting insight came from Middlesex Magic Hoop Group coach Lambros Papalambros, who told me that O’Connell had the best defensive close-outs he’s ever seen. It seems specific, but it speaks to the level of detail that the Cushing guard puts into his craft. Papalambros came on our podcast earlier this month and praised O’Connell’s winning intangibles, saying that if he needed to win one game, he’d be on his short list of players he’d pick. He’s one of the best defenders in the region and better than most think offensively; he’s capable of hitting big shots and he makes the right plays. This summer, he continued developing into a more complete player, and while he’s getting heavy Division 3 interest and would be great at that level, he has been attracting some Div. 1 attention.
Lino Sanchez, Beaver Country Day
6-1 guard
Hometown: Boston, Mass.
I can sum Sanchez up like this: If you’re a captain picking players for an open run, pickup game or any competitive game setting, you want this guard on your squad. He’s a fiery competitor who wills his team to victories and will do anything in his power to make a play. Good luck defending him in isolation; Sanchez has a quick first step and can hit you with an array of moves and change of pace to get anywhere he wants, and he might be one of the best finishers in the region with his combination of acrobatic moves around the rim. Defensively, he’s always engaged, anticipates passing lanes for steals and deflections and is just a terror to play against. The Team White Mamba guard made the All-MADE Hoops third team this summer; folks are starting to pay attention to him.
Aiden Smith, Tabor
6-0 guard
Hometown: Dartmouth, Mass.
Smith is certainly not physically or athletically imposing, but if you want to win games, he plays bigger than he is. He’s a scrappy competitor who gives guards and even bigger opponents fits on the defensive end with his energy. He became extremely valuable off the bench for the Middlesex Magic’s top team this summer with his two-way pace and reliable shotmaking off the catch while becoming one of the team’s best rebounders, even at his size. Smith is a smart and crafty player who wins games with his effort. He’s getting Division 2 scholarship interest and heavy Division 3 looks. I think he’ll thrive at those levels.
AJ Trimboli, King
5-10 guard
Hometown: Norwalk, Conn.
Every time I watch Trimboli play, I’m so impressed with his poise, control and high IQ as a lead guard. He’s never rushed, he’s patient in his decision-making and then he seemingly always makes the right play when he gets into his action. He averaged 20.5 points and 5.0 assists per game last season to lead King to the Fairchester Athletic Association championship and a berth in the Class B playoffs. He hits consistently from 3-point range – he shot 43 percent from deep this summer with Rens United CT – has a great mid-range pull-up game and he’s efficient in his scoring versatility, never taking bad shots. Trimboli is going to make a Division 2 or 3 coach very happy.
Devan Williams, Milton Academy
6-1 guard
Hometown: Uncasville, Conn.
Williams was one of the biggest standouts of the NEPSAC Showcases, where he was one of my ‘5 Stars’ for his complete performances over both weekends, and I think he still warrants more love. His competitiveness is contagious, he plays hard both ways and last season’s leading scorer for Milton Academy, he can score in bunches with his shotmaking and slippery downhill drives to the hoop. He averaged 16 points per game last season while shooting 38 percent from 3, and his continued consistency this summer netted him Division 1 offers from Boston University, UMBC, Brown and Dartmouth. He should be one of NEPSAC’s most exciting players this winter.
Rokas Zilys, Vermont Academy
6-3 guard
Hometown: Naperville, Ill.
After playing three seasons at Vermont Academy, Zilys returned home to Illinois to play at Marist High School last season, and after a standout year, he’s back at Vermont Academy to conclude his high school career this winter. Low-major Division 1 and Div. 2 schools should be all over all over this guard, who will be one of the best shooters in New England and can score at all three levels with his strong touch and finishing ability through contact. He’s physical, tough and rebounds well for his position. Head coach John Zall is going to love having him back.
