Program Profiles - Team New England

The Program Profiles series moves on with a look at Team New England Basketball Club. also known as TNE.   Based out of a variety of locations in New England, TNE was founded in 2016 and is led by its founders Greg Hill and Isaiah Davis.   Team New England is one of the largest inner-city basketball programs on the east coast, with six chapters located in eight cities throughout New England.   TNE focuses on cultivating culture through a sense of family, a commitment to academic excellence, the development of leadership skills, discipline, and the promotion of positive values.   They are an active member of the community with a strong sense of community engagement and organizational tag lines of "Teach, Empower, Achieve, Mentor" and "Bigger Than Basketball".   In a few short years time, they've become arguably the top independent program in New England, with prospects playing at the highest level of college basketball each year.   Below are five prospects from Team New England that have stood out so far this spring.    Edema, a member of TNE's 16U squad, is a physically imposing big man out of Cushing Academy in Massachusetts. One of the top big men in the country, he's taken his game to another level this spring, looking stronger, more athletic, and even more comfortable on the floor than ever before. He's a fluid mover that covers ground as quickly as he gets off the floor. Defensively, he has good timing and instincts as a shot blocker, the agility to move his feet when defending ball screens, and a high motor that allows him to clean up on the glass. He runs the floor like a deer, has a huge catch radius, and shows an every improving finishing game in the post. This week alone, he picked up offers from Alabama, Kansas, and Villanova.     Olaniba, a member of TNE's 15U squad, is a versatile forward out of Mount Saint Charles Academy in Rhode Island. At 6'8", he has impressive size for a hybrid forward, with athleticism and strength that compliments his frame. He plays incredibly hard on both ends of the floor, showing particularly strong feel for the game on the defensive end of the floor. He uses his length to be disruptive around the rim, altering and blocking a high number of shots. He can guard in space, makes plays in passing lanes, and is an aggressive leader. Offensively, he flies up and down the floor, has expanded his range out to 15', and shows the ability to attack the rim as a straight line driver. He continues to improve at a rapid rate, proving to have one of the highest ceilings in the class.     Reyes, a member of TNE's 16U squad, is a dynamic guard out of Worcester Academy in Massachusetts. A crafty ball-handler that can slide off the ball to fill a scoring role, he's taken advantage of an expanded role this spring and is turning heads in the process. He has a quick first step, nice burst in the open floor, and does a good job of pitching the ball ahead in transition. As a scorer, he finishes with creativity around the rim and does a nice job of knocking down shots in catch and shoot situations from behind the arc. Defensively, he can really move his feet to stay in front of opposing ball-handlers and has quick hands that allow him to generate steals both on the ball and in passing lanes.     Lolonga, a member of TNE's 16U squad, is a crafty scoring guard out of Mount Saint Charles Academy in Rhode Island. A capable, mult-level scorer, he does a nice job of picking his spots in the half-court and forcing the issue in transition. He has good size on the perimeter, which he uses to his advantage when getting into his jumper over defenders. He has the ability to post up smaller guards, shows a fair amount of wiggle off the bounce, and is a capable perimeter shooter in catch and shoot situations. Defensively, he can guard three positions, has the strength needed to make an impact on the defensive glass, and isn't afraid to give up his body to make winnings plays.     Ostane, a member of TNE's 17U squad, is a playmaking guard out of Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut. A gritty, tough, and competitive combo guard, he plays with a nice combination of athleticism, strength, and aggression. A capable perimeter shooter, he's at his best with the ball in his hands, when he can get downhill and put pressure on the basket. He makes good reads out of ball screens, is slippery in tight spaces, and can get to the rim at will off the bounce. He's a tough shot maker that isn't afraid to take over when the game calls for it. Defensively, he plays with physicality on the perimeter, has the ability to block shots from the help side, and mixes it up on the defensive glass.

The Program Profiles series moves on with a look at Team New England Basketball Club. also known as TNE.