Hoop Group New England Academic Elite Camp Second-Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This weekend, I attended the Hoop Group New England Academic Elite Camp. Over 120 players competed in games across two days.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always, it's difficult to see everyone play all the time. With that being said, I watched everybody play at least once and tried to see everybody play twice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read: H<a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/08/hoop-group-new-england-academic-elite-camp-first-team/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prephoops.com/2026/08/hoop-group-new-england-academic-elite-camp-first-team/">oop Group New England Academic Elite Camp First-Team</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is my second-team from the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3623945"],"_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","fullHeight":true,"anchor":"acf-block-6a724e10e9d7f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Santos had a heck of a weekend shooting the basketball and looks like his game should eventually translate quite well to the college level. The 6-foot-5 wing doesn't need the ball to be successful—he's a really good off-ball mover, he spaces the floor with his ability to shoot the three ball, and he can attack closeouts and finish with athleticism in transition. The lefty is unselfish but can also get going offensively when his team needs it. Defensively, Santos' size allows him to guard a wide variety of players, and he works hard on that end. He should be one of Franklin's best players this season and will certainly find a college fit when the time comes because of how physically ready he already is for that level. Definite post-grad or reclass candidate, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3715065"],"_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-6a724e10e9de7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Donovan shocked me this weekend. The 6-foot-4 wing has grown a lot over the past year—both height-wise and in terms of his body—and it's playing dividends for him on both ends of the floor. His shooting stroke has always been solid, but his improved physicality now allows him to body players in the paint and get above the rim for dunks. He really understands how to use his body and attack closeouts, but he also has a solid handle and some wiggle in his game and finishes at the cup like a guard. Defensively, he plays hard and isn't afraid to mix it up with bigger players—I was impressed with his toughness all weekend. The rising junior should be one of Catholic Memorial's best players this upcoming season and is going to be a really intriguing college prospect over the next couple of years, especially if he chooses to go to prep school for a year or two. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":3715066,"_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-6a724e10e9e3d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Varano was one of the better true point guards I saw this weekend. The 5-foot-10 floor general has a phenomenal handle and really good quickness, so he's difficult to pressure in the full court and is always a threat to burst by his defender and finish at the cup. But he also has good passing instincts and really understands how to get his teammates involved, whether it's in the pick and roll, the drive and kick two-man game, or in transition situations. Defensively, he plays his behind off and has super active hands. Varano should be a key player for Needham HS this season and will be able to find a college fit, but a post-grad year could be good for him to improve his recruitment and show D3 coaches that he can play against bigger and better guards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":3715071,"_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-6a724e10e9e8e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I had no idea who Carlucci was before this weekend, but I walk away feeling confident he'll be one of Franklin's best players this season and one of the biggest stock risers in the entire MIAA. The 6-foot-4 wing can do it all offensively—he has a great-looking shot from three, but he also has fairly explosive athleticism at the cup and a knack for finishing through and around contact at the rim (he had multiple very impressive reverse layups). He can get to two feet in the paint and make under-control decisions, too, and he does the little things on the defensive end and on the boards. Carlucci is only a rising junior but is going to burst onto the MIAA scene this season. Definite college player who will help Franklin have a bounce back year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2964866"],"_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-6a724e10e9edf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Markovitz was the most well-conditioned athlete I saw all weekend. The 6-foot-4 wing had just finished his last Sunday game before another team needed another guy, and he stuck around—he ended up being that team's hardest-playing guy, even though he was playing an extra game and had just finished a game prior. He works extremely hard on the offensive boards and literally never stops moving, so he's an awesome little things guy and will consistently find a way to make himself useful on both ends. In terms of his skillset, Markovitz passes the ball really well and is effective as a driver to his left hand. Defensively, he slides his feet extremely well and can guard ANYBODY. The rising sophomore has an extremely bright future ahead, especially once he combines his effort and physicality with an improved outside shooting stroke and a better right hand. I wouldn't be surprised to see him start for Kingswood-Oxford this coming season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->