New England Basketball League Awards

The New England Basketball League has concluded its 2025-2026 season, and the Newman School came out as champs. If you missed it, I covered the finals this past weekend, which you can read <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/02/nebl-finals-weekend-standouts/">here</a>.   I've also decided to do some NEBL awards. I'll have 12 awards total—offensive skills, defensive skills, and intangibles—over the next two days. To be clear, I didn't ask any coaches or scouts what they think. These are all my thoughts and my thoughts only. My DM's are always open for things I missed.   MVP: [player_tooltip player_id='2465117' first='Ryan' last='Moesch']   Others in consideration: [player_tooltip player_id='1729831' first='Jordan' last='Skyers'], [player_tooltip player_id='2101863' first='Kamai' last='Samuels'], [player_tooltip player_id='2638999' first='Lucas' last='Morillo'], [player_tooltip player_id='1532640' first='Quinn' last='Costello']   Though Cushing Academy didn't win the NEBL championship, it's hard not to make Moesch the league's MVP after how he carried his squad this season. The 6-foot guard is too quick for anybody—even the league's quickest lateral defenders—to handle. He has a rhythm to the way he handles the ball, and his start-stop nature makes him incredibly difficult to stay in front of. The Siena commit also has no fear when it comes to finishing at the rim, even if it means colliding with 6-foot-10 big men in the air. He has mesmorizing athleticism. When teams tried to blitz his pick and rolls this season and get the ball out of his hands, he did a great job dragging out the screen and making the simple decision, whether it was a pocket pass or reversal. And, he can also make threes when he needs to. He lets the game come to him, but he's also the most electric player in this league when he wants to be. Moesch is a special player.   Putnam's star duo of Skyers and Samuels deserves a shout out, but they didn't carry as much of an offensive load as Moesch. Morillo has only recently fully rounded into form (though he could've been second half MVP), and Costello just doesn't have the type of on-ball impact that the Cushing star does. But all of those guys had amazing seasons.   Defensive Player of the Year: [player_tooltip player_id='2470882' first='Theo' last='Edema']   Others in consideration: [player_tooltip player_id='2553499' first='Adama' last='Tambedou'], [player_tooltip player_id='2396726' first='Jaylin' last='Williams-Crawford']   Edema was the defensive anchor this season for a Cushing squad that has historically been known for their offensive pop rather than their defensive intensity. Though they have some solid perimeter defenders, it's the 7-footers length, athleticism and timing on the back line that really unlocks their ability to guard on the perimeter. Not only does Edema have the physical tools to be a great rim protector, but he does a good job reading the floor and has great instincts when it comes to helping vs. staying with his man. Additionally, I actually think he's a solid perimeter defender when he needs to be, like on switches against small, quick guards who want to score and think they have a mismatch. Edema's offensive skills are still coming along, but his defensive effort, motor, and physical tools are already there.   Tambedou didn't win this award, but he definitely could've (he may or may not be in contention for some other awards). [player_tooltip player_id='2396726' first='Jaylin' last='Williams-Crawford'] has long been known for his switch-ability and length on the perimeter, but CATS simply wasn't dominant enough on the defensive end this season to warrant him winning it.   Best Shooter: [player_tooltip player_id='2341371' first='Chase' last='Geremia']   Others in consideration: [player_tooltip player_id='2341362' first='Jayden' last='Harrington'], [player_tooltip player_id='2915911' first='Jalen' last='Taggart'], [player_tooltip player_id='2470818' first='Anthony' last='Vick']   Geremia is my favorite shooter in the entire region—there isn't a player who I feel more confident in making an open three than the senior Penn commit. Whether it's spotting up in the corner, flying off of screens, or subtly relocating after giving it up, Geremia has a ridiculously consistent shot that he gets off quickly and seems to always go in. Hit footwork when it comes to moving off the ball is far beyond his years, too; he uses the same footwork mechanics and body positioning at NBA sharpshooters like JJ Redick and Duncan Robinson, and he clearly has the mindset needed to be a flamethrower. Even if he misses his first three or four shots, you can tell he thinks the next one is going in. Geremia was a massive factor in Newman's championship run and is going to walk into college hoops as one of the best shooters in the Ivy League.   Harrington, Taggart and Vick all have a case for this award. Harrington is probably the best mid-range shooter of the bunch, and both Taggart and Vick can get hot in a moment's notice. But in terms of consistency from game to game, Geremia has it.   Best Passer: Haisi Mayben   Others in consideration: [player_tooltip player_id='2465117' first='Ryan' last='Moesch'], [player_tooltip player_id='2341362' first='Jayden' last='Harrington'], [player_tooltip player_id='2470946' first='LaDanion' last='Payne']   I always thought of Mayben as a scorer, but I've been really impressed with his ability to facilitate this season. The 6-foot guard uses his handle and quickness to get into the paint at will, but it seems like the game has really slowed down for him as of late once he draws two defenders. He makes under-control and simple passes to his teammates, but he also has some flare in the way that he dimes up guys. He threw a no-look pass a couple weeks ago that wow'd me, and he's only continuing to grow in this area. Some other guys could've probably won this award, but Mayben and Darrow deserve some flowers for a very solid season.   Moesch is obviously a phenomenal passer and could've won this award simply based on what he can do in the pick and roll. Harrington is a supremely good ball mover and has significantly more vision than people give him credit for. And for how good of a scorer Payne is, he's also one of the most unselfish kick-ahead passers I've seen—major Lonzo Ball vibes.   Best Big-Man Offensive Hub: [player_tooltip player_id='2341404' first='Chad' last='Cook']   Others in consideration: [player_tooltip player_id='1440697' first='Atticus' last='Richmond'], [player_tooltip player_id='2638999' first='Lucas' last='Morillo']   Super niche award here that only a freak like me would come up with, but I wanted to shout out a big man who I think is, in some ways, an offensive system unto himself. If you're looking for the best player in the NEBL to dump the ball to in the post, at the elbow, or at the top of the key—in an attempt to have the other four players cut and set screens off of him—there's nobody better than [player_tooltip player_id='2341404' first='Chad' last='Cook']. The 6-foot-8 forward is in the best shape he's been in, and it makes him one of the better post up players in the league; he can beat you with quickness or strength, and he has beautiful touch around the hoop. But the Richmond commit also does an excellent job feeding cutters with on-time, on-target passes, and he consistently punishes teams for doubling him in the post. With the way basketball is moving, Cook's ability to run offense at his size is quite a unique tool.   Both Richmond and Morillo are phenomenal in the post, and if they were on a different team that wasn't such a well-oiled machine, they would probably get a lot more post touches. They both have great size, strength and passing ability.   Best Isolation Scorer: [player_tooltip player_id='1729831' first='Jordan' last='Skyers']   Others in consideration: [player_tooltip player_id='2878905' first='Stetson' last='Merritt'], [player_tooltip player_id='2341301' first='Windston' last='Legentus']   Skyers was the first player than came to mind when thinking of this award, because he doesn't have much of an offensive weakness when it comes to scoring the ball. If you go under him on screens or don't pressure the ball enough, he'll elevate for jumpers from both the mid range and three. But if you pressure the ball too much, he'll use his insane quickness and handle to blow by the defender. And when he gets in the paint, he's one of the most physically imposing athletes in the entire NEBL as a result of his body control, strength and leaping ability. Skyers can pass the ball, too.   Merritt is electric with the ball in his hands—he's a three-level scorer who uses his craft and feel to light it up—but he's relatively skinny and can get pushed off his spot at times. Legentus is a menace when he gets hot, but he has been known to take some very questionable shots at times. But if you're looking for a bucket, both of those two can go get it.

The New England Basketball League has concluded its 2025-2026 season, and the Newman School came out as champs. If you missed it, I covered the finals this past weekend, which you can read here.