Zero Gravity Finals: Middlesex Magic standouts part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This weekend, I attended the Zero Gravity Finals at the Dana Barros Basketball Club in Stoughton, MA. I watched teams in the 10th grade and varsity divisions, mostly in the top division of each.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always, it's impossible to see all of the teams in any given division — there are tons of locations and a handful of games going at once at all times. I try to watch as many games and players as I can. So, this week, I'll be recapping some of the players that stood out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you missed my <a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/06/zero-gravity-finals-crown-hgsl-2026-standouts/">Crown HGSL standouts, here they are</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are some standouts from the Middlesex Magic, who had numerous teams competing in the ZG Finals. All of these kids are 2026 graduates and don't even play for the top team. The Magic are probably the deepest AAU program in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2553728"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-684787a142054"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hoffmaster was Middlesex Magic Alex's best player in a 26 point win over Team Sims UAA. The 6-foot-3 wing hit 7 three pointers and showcased a really well-rounded offensive game. He can handle it on the perimeter and is so unselfish when it comes to kicking the ball ahead in transition. He's one of the hardest working wings in the area and never takes any plays off, and his versatility on the defensive end allows him to guard lots of different kinds of players. Hoffmaster should have a really nice senior season at Concord Academy, where he was a NEPSAC honorable mention this past season. High D3 player for sure.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2341400"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-684787a1420af"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Baum has had a really nice spring season and looks to only be getting better. The 6-foot-8 forward does a really good job attacking the paint and finishing with both hands off the glass, but he can also be an offensive hub on the perimeter. He throws so many nice backdoor passes and really understands screening angles, so he's effective as a dribble hand-off player. The Nobles junior will definitely be highly sought after at the D3 level and could even potentially get some scholarship looks if he improves his outside shooting stroke. Bright future ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2547096"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-684787a1420f8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Barnes is lightning quick with the ball in his hands and uses his burst to blow by defenders effortlessly. The 6-foot guard also has a great handle and can finish with both hands at the cup, and he has really nice vision in both the half court and transition. Finally, he defends like a mad man and has amazing hands and lateral quickness. It'll be tough for Barnes to get too many minutes on Darrow Academy next season (they're stacked), but he should definitely be a high level D3 player. He really understands how to play and has to be one of the most underrated guards in the region. He was turning heads this weekend. He'll be reclassing to 2026 next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1671307"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-684787a14213a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dudley is a 6-foot-4 lefty who is really tough to stop when he gets a head of steam in transition. He's strong, athletic and has really good body control and footwork; he had a couple beautiful eurosteps and multiple tough finishes off the glass at weird angles. Oh, and he cuts very effectively off the ball and attacks closeouts with decisiveness. He can also shoot it from three and defends with great toughness and strength. Dudley should be a key piece for Dexter Southfield next season and will absolutely find a D3 fit and make a coach very happy with his well rounded game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2674384"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-684787a142179"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Maxwell is an athletic, 6-foot-4 wing who rebounds incredibly well for his size and is a menace in transition. His squad (Middlesex Magic Lambros) only had 5 players but he still managed to outwork opponents for loose balls and beat everyone down the floor on both ends. He also elevates really well at the rim and can defend with toughness and strength, even against bigger forwards. His offensive feel is still coming along, but the junior hasn't reclassed yet and still goes to Abington High School, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him transfer schools at some point. He has high D3 potential and could even go higher if he continues to develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->