2025’s Rankings Update – Top Newcomers
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It’s time to take a look at some of the Top Newcomers in our most recent rankings update. These are the prospects that made their way into the New England rankings for the first time. Scattered throughout the rankings from #29 all…
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Continue ReadingIt’s time to take a look at some of the Top Newcomers in our most recent rankings update.
These are the prospects that made their way into the New England rankings for the first time. Scattered throughout the rankings from #29 all the way to #125, there are 23 Newcomers in this rankings update.
Our highest ranked newcomer, Alex Wilkins Alex Wilkins 6'5" | CG Brooks School | 2025 State New E , checks in at #29. A 6’5″ combo guard, Wilkins has great positional size and length, can play on or off the ball, and has a terrific feel for the game. While he’s the highest ranked newcomer in these rankings, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him appear as a Riser in the next rankings update as he has significant long term potential.
Here are five more newly ranked prospects to take note of:
An All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention, Henderson burst onto the scene in New England this winter while at Kimball Union. A true scoring guard with great positional size, Henderson is one of the best shooters in this class. He has deep range on his jumper, can create space to get into his shot off the bounce, and does a terrific job of working off the ball to get open, particularly when using screens. He showed signs this winter of leveraging his shooting and utilizing his shot fake to open up driving lanes. Defensively, he should be able to guard across the perimeter at the next level due to his size and athleticism.
Nosakhare made an instant impact at the Tilton School this winter, proving to be a force in the paint on both ends of the floor. A quick twitch athlete, Nosakhare proved to be a high level shot blocker, while also showing the lateral mobility to potentially be a switchable defender in ball screen actions. He’s the type of rim protector that contests everything in the paint; there’s few interior scoring opportunities in a game that he doesn’t block or alter. Offensively, he’s primarily a catch and finish guy out of the dunker spot right now, finishing with authority any chance he gets. He did show the ability to drive off one bounce this winter, and I’d expect him to make strides with his offensive game this spring and summer.
Nkugwa, a 1st Team All-NEPSAC honoree this winter, is an elite athlete on the wing. A threat to score every time he touches the ball in transition, Nkugwa puts an immense amount of pressure on the defense in the open floor. The lefty is a high riser that can absolutely punish rims but has also shown an ability to create as a scorer with the ball in his hands. Defensively, he has an elite combination of athleticism, length, and quickness that allows him to be effective both as an on-ball stopper and a weakside helper that protects the rim. His physical tools are next level; as he continues to expand his skill set on the offensive end of the floor, his ceiling and recruitment should take off.
Webb, one of central Massachusett’s top prospects regardless of class, had a terrific junior year at Tantasqua Regional. A high academic prospect, Webb is an inside-out threat on the offensive end of the floor. He plays with great pace, is a three-level scorer that has great body control in the paint, and does a good job of moving without the ball to get open. Defensively, he’s capable of guarding both in the post and on the perimeter and has proven to be a capable rebounder that can initiate offense in transition. He’ll be an interesting prospect to track this spring and summer as he has all the tools to continue rising up these rankings over the next twelve monts.
Highlights
Cieplicki, who won a state championship at Rice Memorial, is one of Vermont’s most versatile prospects. A big wing that can play and guard multiple positions, Cieplicki does a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he’s a consistent perimeter shooter in catch-and-shoot situations and has proven to be a capable interior scorer that can take advantage of mismatches in the post. Where his versatility really shines is on the defensive end of the floor. He can guard all five spots on the floor, is a vocal presence, and has a nose for the ball on the defensive glass. With a strong spring and summer, he should garner some serious interest from top Division III programs in New England.