NERR Elite 75: Standout Lead Guards

On Friday, September 11th, I attended the Elite 75 showcase at Mass Premier Courts in Foxboro, MA. Over 200 players competed on six different courts.   There was TONS of talent in the gym—but, as always, it was difficult to see everyone play.   Read: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/09/6-standout-forward-from-elite-75/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prephoops.com/2026/09/6-standout-forward-from-elite-75/">6 Standout Forwards From Friday's Elite 75</a>   With that being said, below are 5 of the best freshmen I saw.    Weaver is truly different. You just don't see guards at his age with his level of processing, feel for the game, and IQ. The 5-foot-10 point-guard was meant to dribble a basketball—he comfortably handles pressure and makes live-dribble reads at ridiculously high speeds and with accuracy and composure. On Friday, I was also impressed with his ability to use his body in the post against smaller guards; he's a lot stronger than he looks and gets tons of elevation on his jumper, so he's difficult to stop in the paint. It's insane to say that a guard of his size has a real chance to make it, but I can't say I've seen many PG's with his level of feel and skill level in my time covering New England hoops.     O'Neill displayed his extremely high skill level, as well as his ability to score the basketball from all three-levels, on Friday night. The 6-foot-2 PG is a lot stronger than people realize, and he has the rock on a string, so he handles ball-pressure extremely well and has a knack for getting to his spots on the floor no matter how much resistance he's facing. The sophomore can also get all the way to the cup and finish high off the glass with a number of nice touch shots, and he's a threat from the perimeter and the mid-range. O'Neill should be quite productive running the show for Tabor Academy this season, especially with how many effective bigs he'll be playing with.     Bennett is in the prime of his development and looks different every single time I watch him. The 6-foot-1 point guard is explosive off the bounce and has such a quick first-step, so he blows by opposing defenders if they don't give him a step. At the rim, he finishes acrobatically and can get above the rim for dunks. The game seems to be slowing down for him, too—he's making reads more effectively out of the pick and roll and is looking quite calm with defenders on his back as a facilitator in the paint. Bennett is going to be a part of one of the most electric backcourts in the entire NEPSAC this season with [player_tooltip player_id='2633531' first='Solis' last='Blue'].     Bates is extremely impressive and put himself squarely on my radar after seeing him for the first time. The 6-foot-1 guard has an extremely high skill level and uses his handle to get into the paint effortlessly. He has a knack for finishing with contact at the rim, but he also comfortably hits threes off the dribble and can get hot in an instant. Worcester has a crowded backcourt this season, but I can't imagine Bates won't get some time given how impressive he is with the ball in his hands. We'll see—regardless, he has a bright future ahead.     Richards was one of the freakiest athletes in the entire gym on Friday. One one fast break, the 5-foot-11 guard easily got up for a one-handed, rim-rocking dunk that got the entire gym out of their seats. He has springs in his legs but also phenomenal quickness, so he's a highlight waiting to happen. The rising freshman hits shots from three and the mid-range, too, and can get hot in a moment's notice. Richard will probably have a big-time season for Brooks and has a chance to be one of the more productive 2030's in the NEPSAC.

On Friday, September 11th, I attended the Elite 75 showcase at Mass Premier Courts in Foxboro, MA. Over 200 players competed on six different courts.