Zero Gravity States Standouts: Part 1

This weekend, I attended the Zero Gravity Massachusetts State Championships. I spent my time at Dana Barros Basketball Club on both Saturday and Sunday and tried to catch as many games as possible. As always, it's impossible to see and get a good read on everyone, so these are just some players that initially stood out. Below is part one.    Simpson is one of the better passing big men I've seen this AAU season. The 6-foot-6 forward constantly has his eyes up and is ready to make whatever pass is necessary. No matter where he catches it on the floor, he's controlled enough to make the cross court or kickout pass while also being a threat to take it to the rim. I also saw him knock down a three and excel as a playmaker in transition. Simpson is a definite college player, it's just a matter of what level will be the best fit for him. I could imagine the highest level D3 programs being interested in him as a versatile big man, but he might even be a scholarship player. He'll be moving to the class of 2026 at Deerfield Academy next year.     Conheeny was part of a BCRI backcourt (and team) that absolutely shoots the lights out. Whether it be off the dribble or the catch, he gets his three-ball off quickly and is super consistent. Like the rest of his squad, Conheeny also does a great job making quick decisions with the basketball; he always knows what he's going to do with it once it's swung to him and is a great extra passer and ball mover. His size will make it tough for him to play scholarship-level college hoops, but the skillset is there and he should definitely be looked at by lots of D3 programs. I would imagine he'll have a huge season at Portsmouth High School next year.     Caldarella is an excellent passer who truly understands how to play the game. He's always thinking multiple passes ahead and is supremely aware of his team's spacing and cutting, and he does a good job manipulating the defense with his eyes. Once he gets the ball, he's a knock down three-point shooter and has some solid ball-handling ability as well. I would be surprised if Caldarella doesn't have a nice season at Cheshire Academy next year (where he'll reclass to 2026) and find his way onto a D3 roster once the time comes. Really high IQ and skilled basketball player who could even potentially get scholarship looks if he gets more athletic and stronger.     Miles is an intriguing college prospect as a result of his size and shooting ability. The 6-foot-6 wing/forward does a good job passing and moving without the ball and has a nice-looking shot once the ball gets swung to him on the perimeter. He also brings size, athleticism and length to the offensive and defensive boards, though he could use some extra weight on him. This will be a big development year for Miles, who should be able to find a D3 fit when the time comes as a result of his modern skillset. One thing is for sure: colleges can count on him to know how to play, because he plays for a BCRI that encourages spacing, ball movement and extra passing.     Bazzano really understands how to play within an offensive system. BCRI clearly likes to run a 0.5 offense where everybody briefly holds the ball before deciding to pass, shoot or dribble, and nobody does this better than him. He does a great job stampede catching — essentially running with the ball as it gets swung to him — and he makes great decisions once he touches the paint. He's a really good passer, too, who's unselfish and smart with his reads. I'll be curious to see whether he can have a larger role on a talented St. George's team next season, but regardless I could see him playing at the D3 level when the time comes.

This weekend, I attended the Zero Gravity Massachusetts State Championships. I spent my time at Dana Barros Basketball Club on both Saturday and Sunday and tried to catch as many games as possible. As always, it's impossible to see and get a good read on everyone, so these are just some players that initially stood out. Below is part one.