NEBL Opening Weekend: Putnam Science Academy Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last weekend, the New England Basketball League held its first session of this season at the New Balance Facility in Brighton, MA. Eight teams—Newman, Brimmer and May, South Kent, Darrow, Cushing, Putnam Science, CATS, and New Hampton—were in attendance, and I'll have standouts from each of those squads.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To continue, let's look at some standouts from Putnam Science Academy. They went 2-0 during the NEBL's first session and look to be one of the more imposing defensive teams in the country.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/11/nebl-opening-weekend-newman-standouts/">NEBL Opening Weekend: Newman Standouts</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/11/nebl-opening-weekend-brimmer-and-may-standouts/">NEBL Opening Weekend: Brimmer and May Standouts</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/11/nebl-opening-weekend-south-kent-standouts/">NEBL Opening Weekend: South Kent Standouts</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/11/nebl-opening-weekend-darrow-school-standouts/">NEBL Opening Weekend: Darrow School Standouts</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/11/nebl-opening-weekend-cushing-academy-standouts/">NEBL Opening Weekend: Cushing Academy Standouts</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/11/nebl-opening-weekend-new-hampton-school-standouts/">NEBL Opening Weekend: New Hampton School Standouts</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1729831"],"_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-69275a3827401"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Skyers was maybe Putnam's most impressive player during NEBL session 1. He can certainly take some ill-advised shots on the offensive end, but he has incredible quickness and athleticism and is able to handle the rock quite comfortably, even while going full speed in transition. He also has a really nice jab-step game and can make some really difficult contested shots, not to mention some special finishes at the rim with contact. Defensively, Skyers applies an incredible amount of on-ball pressure and is super active with his hands. He should be getting D1 scholarship looks and seems to be one of Putnam's best two-way players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2898406"],"_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-69275a3827458"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Egbuna was ridiculously dominant all weekend for Putnam Science. The 6-foot-9 forward is built like an ox and has super long arms, so he's in the mix for every single rebound on both ends and is quite difficult to keep out of the paint with a box out. Though he's raw in the post, the senior showed some potential with a couple nice drop step moves, and he should look to continue developing his offensive feel. Defensively, Egbuna slides his feet ridiculously well for his size and can also defend bigs because of his strength and size, making him a phenomenal defensive piece. He has big time potential and should be getting high major looks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2101863"],"_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-69275a38274a3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Samuels, with Skyers, might make up the most athletically talented backcourt in the entire nation. The 6-foot-2 guard flies above the rim on takes to the hoop and gets by his initial defender with a quickness that's unmatched by most. He has a phenomenal handle—he dribbles it so close to the ground and has great control of the rock—and he can elevate and take contact at the rim quite effectively once he gets there. He's SO strong and loves the body bump. He can also make shots from the outside and defends like a madman. He's the type of guy you love to play with but hate to play against. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2915911"],"_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-69275a38274eb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Taggart absolutely lit up NEBL session 1 with his shooting ability. I labeled Harrington as the best NEBL shooter from session 1, but the 6-foot-4 guard from Putnam has a case, too. Off the move, off the dribble, in standstill situations—it doesn't matter. Taggart is always ready to shoot and has the same mechanics to his shot no matter what's going on around him. He bailed out lots of possessions for Putnam last weekend and is going to continue to do so all season. Additionally, Taggart can defend his position and is a great help side defender, just like everyone on this squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2325855"],"_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-69275a3827531"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Green is the archetype of what every D1 college and NBA team is looking for: a 6-foot-6, athletic wing who can pass, dribble, and shoot. The senior came off the bench for Putnam last weekend but still made his impact on the game in a variety of ways, most notably with ultra-athletic drives and cuts to the rim. In addition to his size, Green has incredible length, which allows him to extend for very impressive finishes against wings and bigs alike. If he can improve his three-point shot and start to find some more touch in the lane, he could be looked at by some of the best programs in the country. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->