17u New England shoe team standouts: part 2

This week, I'll be looking at some standout players from the shoe circuits, specifically the EYBL (Nike), 3SSB (Adidas), and UAA (Under Armour). All of these players either play on New England AAU teams or play their high school ball in New England.   If you missed part 1, <a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/05/17u-new-england-shoe-team-standouts-part-1/">here it is</a>.   Over the next couple days, I'll have some other more general articles about standouts from this AAU season so far.   Below is part 2 of the New England shoe team standouts.    On a BABC team that doesn't play any true big men, Toure is tasked with a large load on the defensive end, often guarding taller and stronger players but holding his own as a result of his impressive defensive instincts and toughness. The 6-foot-6 wing is averaging 16 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.5 blocks per game, and there literally isn't a thing he can't do on the basketball court. He's an efficient scorer (56.8%) and can even shoot it from three (37.5%). Most impressive is his ability to attack downhill and finish with ridiculous athleticism at the rim. Huge future ahead for Toure, who is getting tons of D1 looks.     Cook has really impressed me with his ability to man the paint for Middlesex Magic this UAA season. The 6-foot-6 forward is a bit undersized for the center position, but that's what he plays for the Magic and he does so quite effectively. He seems to have gotten stronger since the high school season, which allows him to guard opposing centers who are taller and longer. Offensively, he acts as a top-of-the-key hub that can play the dribble hand-off game and make plays for himself and his teammates. I was really impressed with some of the passes he made to backcutters and baseline cutters. He should have a larger offensive role on New Hampton next season.     Baptiste has been one of the top performers on the UAA Rise circuit for Team Sims. The 6-foot-6, big-bodied forward is a menace in the paint and cannot be stopped as a low post scorer when he puts his mind to it and plays with effort/intensity. But he's also shown an improved shooting stroke this season (46.7% from three on 5 attempts a game), which is the x-factor part of his game. If he can be a stretch forward that can consistently knock down outside shots -- which it certainly looks like he is for Team Sims -- he should be getting D1 looks. He's also averaging 8 rebounds per game, better than anyone on Sims.     Costello could've been in my biggest stockrisers article that'll be coming out Saturday, but he has become a legitimate weapon for Middlesex Magic that warrants him making this list instead. The 6-foot-10 stretch four has gotten a lot stronger since the high school season and looks so much more comfortable banging around with other big men in the paint. But when he steps out on the perimeter, he has one of the prettier shots I've seen of any big man in New England; it's quick, compact, and accurate, and he can shoot it off the move quite effectively. This unique skillset has earned him lots of D1 offers, most recently from Notre Dame. He should have a big season at Newman.     Terry got hurt towards the end of this high school season, but he looks to have continued right where he left off with Expressions Elite. He's leading the team in points per game (13.3) and is, as usual, showing off a well-rounded scoring game; he can shake and bake to get to the hoop, but he can also step back for threes and get to his pull ups in the midrange. I've been super impressed with his defensive effort and ability to slide with quick offensive players, which will be an x-factor in his recruitment moving forward. Terry should be a top scorer for CATS Academy next season.

This week, I'll be looking at some standout players from the shoe circuits, specifically the EYBL (Nike), 3SSB (Adidas), and UAA (Under Armour). All of these players either play on New England AAU teams or play their high school ball in New England.