Northeast Hoop Festival - Saturday Standouts II

Today, we'll continue our coverage from this weekend's NERR Northeast Hoop Festival, one of the top early travel season events in the region.   After covering five Saturday standouts yesterday, we'll take a look at five more today.   Each of these individuals impressed in their own unique way, putting themselves on the map as recruitable college prospects.   [player_tooltip player_id='2633557' first='Jared' last='Coleman']   Coleman, a big man at Hillhouse, was a dominant paint presence for the 17U Connecticut Elite HGSL group. A 2025 forward, Coleman stood out in two high level matches where he was matched up against future high major big men. At 6'7" with a wide frame, he catches the eye with his agility, mobility, and strong footwork in the post. He's incredibly strong, which allows him to carve out space on the low block, both as a post scorer and defensive rebounder. He makes good decisions with the basketball and even shows the ability to knock down shots in the mid-range and from behind the arc when filling the trailer spot in transition. A deceptive athlete, he has the ability to power up off a drop step to finish with power at the rim or to quickly rise up to block a shot from the help side. Still on the board in 2025, he'd be a quality late get for any Division 2 program that's still looking for a big man or an absolute late steal at the D3 level.   [player_tooltip player_id='2695271' first='Nafees' last='Padgett']   Padgett, a wing from the Tilton School, impressed with his versatility for the 17U Black Bear North squad. A 2025 prospect, who could potentially do a post-graduate year, Padgett has a college ready frame and plus athleticism, both of which combine with his versatility to make him a tough cover on the offensive end of the floor. He's at his best when he's involved offensively and has shows some signs of being able to be a big initiator with the ball in his hands. He's got a good handle, doesn't waste dribbles, and has the burst needed to get by the initial defender. He's a good movement passer, can finish with strength at the rim, and shows the ability to knock down shots in catch and shoot situations. He'd be a plug and play get at the D3 level right now, but if he goes the post-graduate route, should attract the attention of Division 2 programs looking for versatile, two-way wings that can make plays with the ball in their hands.   [player_tooltip player_id='2568514' first='Maddox' last='Dobson']   Dobson, a forward out of Lowell Catholic, stood out with his inside-out play for the 16U The House We Built team. A versatile 2027 prospect, Dobson impressed with his ability to make plays in space, took what the defense gave him, and made good reads with the ball in his hands. At 6'5", he can operate as a combo forward that keeps the offense moving, makes shots from behind the arc in catch and shoot situations, and can attack the rim as a straight line driver. What's really impressive is that he seems to just be scratching the surface of his abilities as a playmaker on the offensive end. Defensively, he's a vocal and switchable defender that makes plays with his IQ and shows that he can really rebound the basketball, both in traffic and in space. He's a prospect that college programs should start tracking early, and, while it's a little too early to predict the level, has the chance to play himself into a scholarship down the road.   [player_tooltip player_id='2832762' first='Wiji' last='Dak']   Dak, a product of Bedford, announced himself to the masses with his play for the 16U Mass Rivals 3SSB group, a team that played up in the varsity division this weekend. A 2028 wing, Dak showed off a well-rounded offensive game on Saturday, taking advantage of his physical gifts to take over the game in transition and in the half-court. Physically, he stands out with an incredibly powerful 6'3" frame that he packs with explosive athleticism and the strength neeed to play through contact. A downhill driver that overpowers smaller guards and overwhelms bigger forwards with his quickness, he impressed this wing with his ability to knock down shots from behind the arc. He's a strong rebounder, can guard up and down a lineup, and makes plays in space with his quickness. There aren't many prospects in New England that have as high of a long term ceiling and it'll be fun to watch him prove just how good he is against some high level competition in the 3SSB this spring and summer.   [player_tooltip player_id='2407066' first='Jakari' last='Clark']   Clark, a guard at Lexington Christian Academy, could be counted among the event's best guards while playing for the 16U Team Sims UA Rise group. A prospect in the class of 2026, Clark is a big time playmaker with the ball in his hands, showing off impressive burst and some wiggle off the bounce. He utilizes his frame to his advantage, showing the ability to play through contact off the bounce and finish at the rim. He does a good job of operating in isolation situations, uses hesitations to his advantage, and has the ability to get by defenders with a quick first step. He slides off the ball to take on a scoring role and is really good at quickly getting into his shot off the catch. Defensively, he can guard either back-court spot and uses his physical advantages to make opposing ball-handlers uncomfortable. The NEPSAC Class C Small Player of the Year this winter, he'll be a priority recruit among New England's D3 programs and could turn heads at the scholarship level with a strong spring and summer.

Today, we'll continue our coverage from this weekend's NERR Northeast Hoop Festival, one of the top early travel season events in the region.