New England’s 2025 Rankings Newcomers
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After updating our rankings this week, we feel it’s important to highlight some of the newcomers to the New England 2025 rankings. While we’re here, we’re differentiating newcomers to the rankings from newcomers to the region. We’ll feature the region’s top ranked new faces…
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Continue ReadingAfter updating our rankings this week, we feel it’s important to highlight some of the newcomers to the New England 2025 rankings.
While we’re here, we’re differentiating newcomers to the rankings from newcomers to the region. We’ll feature the region’s top ranked new faces in an article later this week.
Oswin Erhunmwunse Oswin Erhunmwunse 6'9" | C Putnam Science Academy | 2025 State #26 Nation NLG (#2) and Dwayne Aristode Dwayne Aristode 6'7" | SF Brewster Academy | 2025 State #43 Nation NLG (#3) check in as the highest ranked newcomers in this update. In fact, seven of our new Top 10 prospects are newcomers to these rankings.
Since we already covered the Top 10 this week, here we’ll highlight other noteable rankings newcomers:
Frost makes his first appearance in the rankings after transferring to Phillips Exeter and reclassifying this past summer. The power wing, who just picked up an offer from Penn State, can really fill it up from behind the arc and does a great job of getting square to the basket, even when his feet aren’t set. He does a great job of leveraging his shooting to open up driving lanes and is adept at finishing through contact at the rim. He’s a terrific rebounder, both in and out of his area, while also showing that he’s strong enough to guard in the post against traditional big men. His most recent offer should just be the tip of the iceberg and I’d anticpate that there will be a long line of suitors following him this summer.
Highlights
Jones, who just received an offer from Brown University, has done a whole lot of winning over the past 12 months, both at Rivers and with the Middlesex Magic. The scoring guard has proven to be a crafty finisher off the bounce, utilizing an assortment of floaters, euro-steps, and bank shots to score at the rim. He’s a high level shooter in catch and shoot situations and does a good job of leveraging his shooting to create driving opportunities. Defensively, he’s got a high IQ that allows him to consistently be in the right position within his team’s defensive schemes. He’s a good athlete that’s capable of guarding up and down a perimeter position as well. I’d expect that he’ll be popular with high academic colleges and universities this summer on the grassroots circuit.
Lopes, who now checks in as the regions 3rd highest ranked point guard, is one of New England’s top playmakers. He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands and has a lightning quick first step that allows him to get into the paint whenver he wants. He impresses athletically and is a gifted and creative finisher around the rim. He has great size and length for a lead guard, which only aides in his playmaking ability. Defensively, he can guard the ball all 94 feet and does a great job of jumping passing lanes for steals and deflections. There might not be another guard in the class who can turn defense into offense like he does. He’s got a handful of offers to his name already and should be someone that mid-major coaches across the country are tracking this spring.
Clark, who burst onto the scene this summer playing alongside Cooper Flagg with Maine United on the Nike EYBL circuit, has continued his strong play into his high school season at St. Paul’s. The lefty is a big, combo forward who shines as a secondary scorer that can really stretch the floor. He gets his feet set quickly and has a stroke that’s both consistent and clean. As he’s continued to adjust to high level competition, he’s become more comfortable attacking closeouts and finishing at the rim. Defensively, his length is his best asset and although he’s still pretty lean, he does a good job of mixing it up on the glass. He’s another high academic prospect that should definitely be on the radar of high academic programs across the country this spring.
Watson, like Frost, makes his first appearance in these rankings after reclassifying last summer and subsequently transferring to Milton Academy. He’s a high IQ, big guard that plays to his strengths and doesn’t force anything. He’s a good shooter, has nice touch in the mid-range, and is a willing ball mover. He’s the type of guy that just finds a way to help his team win basketball games. Defensively, he knows where he needs to be off the ball and is capable of guarding up or down a position. He’s got good length and is disruptive in passing lanes. It’ll be interesting to track his progress this spring and summer and to see what level of recruitment he can gain.
Smith, our highest ranked prospect from the state of Maine, is an under-the-radar prospect who followed up a strong sophomore year by taking his game to another level this winter. He makes his impact around the rim, but is showing signs of increasing versatility on both ends of the floor. Right now, he’s a solid post presence with an array of finishing moves and good touch around the rim. Defensively, he’s mobile enough to defend in screen-and-roll action and does a nice job of cleaning up on the boards. He’s not uncomfortable with the ball and has potential as prospect who can initiate offense off a defensive rebound. He’s another prospect that will have a chance to drastically change his recruitment this summer and could play his way into a scholarship.