NERR Northeast Hoop Festival: unsigned seniors who impressed

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday, September 4th, I attended the NERR Northeast Hoop Festival at Dana Barros Basketball Club in Stoughton, MA. There were tons of talented teams and players there, but I was only able to watch some Saturday morning games and then some short highlights from the afternoon and Sunday games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/10/nerr-northeast-hoop-festival-underclassmen-to-watch/">NERR Northeast Hoop Festival: underclassmen to watch</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/10/nerr-northeast-hoop-festival-2027s-who-impressed/">NERR Northeast Hoop Festival: 2027's who impressed</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That being said, here are some unsigned 2026's who impressed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"AJ Baum","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Assebet High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Above the Rim","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e6c5f2da331"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Baum was dominant athletically and totally manhandled his way to a double double on Saturday. The 6-foot-6 big man is incredibly tough and strong in the post and bullied opposing bigs and wings for easy layups and dunks, many of which came off of me-bounds. The senior forward also showcased a perimeter game, hitting multiple three point shots and a host of mid rangers. Baum should be a very key player for Assebet HS this season and will probably have D3 interest for next season as a result, but some added feel and control in the paint could be really big for his recruitment. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Garnett Torres","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"South High (Worcester)","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Above the Rim","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e6c5f2da411"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Torres put up a 30 bomb in Saturday morning's game, and he did it from all over the court. He has the ball on a string and is rhythmic with his handle, so he's able to get downhill virtually at will. Once he gets to the hoop, the 6-foot guard has a variety of finishes despite his lack of size; he has awesome touch and can take contact pretty well while still converting with both hands. When the defense comes, Torres can find the dump down pass. I bet the senior guard will find a D3 fit when the time comes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2696742"],"_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-68e6c5f2da48d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">MacDonald has an old-man's game, but don't let his awkwardness fool you. The 6-foot-2 guard/wing is phenomenal in the paint when it comes to using his pivot feet, both hands, and a variety of crafty upfakes — he might look like he's playing at the YMCA, but he puts the ball in the hoop consistently. He has an awesome pull up jumper and great touch in the lane, and he has good instincts in terms of when to attack downhill and when to swing the ball. Improvements in his three point shot will be massive for his recruitment moving forward. Look for him to be a star at York this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Diego Montanari","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"New Bedford High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"LIT","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e6c5f2da54c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Montanari attacks the hole like his life depends on it, and it makes him really difficult to stay in front of for a full game. You'd think he'd eventually run out of energy to constantly attack downhill, but he's relentless. And when he gets to the hoop, he has excellent elevation and takes contact extremely well. He threw down multiple dunks with his head near the rim. If he can continue to improve his outside shot and feel for the game – looking more for extra passes and playing with a 0.5 mindset – I think his recruitment could definitely pick up. He should be a star for New Bedford this season and one of the better players in the MIAA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2955152"],"_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-68e6c5f2da5e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Marcel is the cousin of Jamier – a current freshman at SNHU who will play hoops there – and you can tell that athleticism runs in their family. The 6-foot-1 senior got hot from three in his first Saturday game; he made shots off the dribble, off the catch, and on the move. His shot looks really solid – he gets it off quickly and has good balance and footwork off of movement – but he's also quite effective as a driver and finisher at the hoop. He has great strength and athleticism and is a very sturdy two-foot jumper. He should be a star for Spaulding High School this season and will be able to find a D3 fit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Simon Ndikumana","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lee Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"NE Elite","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68e6c5f2da6a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ndikumana is an incredibly intriguing long-term prospect. The 6-foot-9 forward is incredibly long, and he uses his physical tools well as a rim protector, rebounder, and finisher at the hoop. He can convert above the rim with dunks and has solid touch with both hands, and his positioning is solid in terms of knowing where to be in the dunker spot and around the baseline. If he can continue improving his outside shot, I could see some D2's being interested in him. Right now, though, he probably projects as a D3 prospect. Look for him to play key minutes for Lee Academy this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->