2024 Junior Elite 75 Recaps pt. 2

Tuesday, March 26th, 2024

The Junior Elite 75 returned this past Friday March 22nd in Foxborough Massachusetts, as 5th-8th graders took the court to put their skills on display. The gym was loaded with future talent in the New England region that we were thrilled to welcome to our Elite 75 showcase series. In the coming days, we will be going through and highlighting those who took the court.

Some 2028 & 2029 Up-and Coming Hoopers

Isaiah Ferguson packs a strong scoring arsenal, capable of producing at all three levels on the court. His game extends beyond scoring, as he showcases a keen eye for threading passes and anticipates defensive plays with good timing and awareness.

Jackson Perri displays maturity beyond his years, honing his skills at Roxbury Latin as he has played up since 7th grade. He displayed his high IQ game in many different facets at the Junior Elite 75, most notably in his composure and anticipation. Perri also showcases exceptional passing skills, knocks down shots and runs the offense. While already playing varsity, his high school “arrival” this fall will be one to watch. 

Matthew Goorno demonstrates a knack for knocking down jump shots, particularly excelling in the mid-range game. Coupled with a strong ball-handling ability, he poses a threat to opposing defenders. 

Michael Caterino shines with his ability to finish plays around the basket and tenacious defense. His competitive spirit stood out as he consistently battles for rebounds and disrupts opponents with his defensive intensity.

Michael Quinlan showcases tight ball-handling skills and a knack for making intelligent passes. His ability to facilitate ball movement and make sound decisions on the court enhances his value as a playmaker.

Justice Grant exudes composure on the court, showcasing fluidity in his movements as a guard. His proficiency in knocking down long-range shots adds a dynamic element to his game, but he can also score it consistently around the basket as a slasher. The 5’10” guards development at Thayer Academy is one to watch.

Making the trek over from Greenfield Mass, Lobsang Rabten, impressed at the event. Rabten combines a smooth outside shooting stroke with a motor on the offensive glass. His positive demeanor and polished finishing moves around the basket make him a versatile scoring threat and a prospect of note in the Western Mass region.

Rashad Williams distinguished himself with his vocal leadership on defense and clean shooting stroke. His fluid ball-handling skills complement his defensive acumen, making him a valuable asset as a two-way player.

Robert Gianfresco's imposing height at 6 '2'' , quick footwork, and switchability provides versatility on defense, enabling him to guard multiple positions effectively. A commanding presence on the boards, he excels in controlling rebounds and anchoring his team's defense.

Zabian Evora showed precision in ball-handling, seamlessly transitioning into shooting opportunities from beyond the arc. His quick release and tight handles make him a formidable offensive threat that defenses at the showcase needed to be aware of.

BJ Dawan-Abdullah's experience against tough competition with Brimmer & May this season has contributed to his continued development as a point guard. Dawan-Abdullah is crafty with the ball and uses his bag of hesitations and crossovers to keep the defense guessing. Despite rolling his ankle, he undoubtedly made his presence on the floor felt. 

Duvan Duque shined with his shifty ball-handling skills, keeping defenders off balance with quick passes and scoring opportunities. His proficiency in knocking down three-pointers adds another dimension to his skill-set, but his passing ability stands out as a strong part of his game.

Henry Callan of Northampton displays early promise as a guard, showcasing solid ball-handling skills and scoring instincts. His ability to create scoring opportunities around taller defenders stood out at the event.

Jayden Wilbon's proficiency from beyond the arc shines through with his ability to knock down threes in various situations. Coupled with acrobatic finishing ability, he presents a multifaceted scoring threat in the class of 2028. 

Amyas Hall-Chiari emerged as a notable prospect some time ago, earning recognition while playing with the varsity team at Putnam Science with numerous 20+ point outings on the season. With an array of moves to create scoring chances and crafty dribbling skills, he poses a challenge for defenders. He does a great job of creating space, scores buckets in bunches and can be the focal point of an offense.

TJ Espinosa recently made the move to the powerhouse program at Putnam Science under the tutelage of his father, head coach Tom Espinosa. TJ is capable of hitting step-back shots and scoring at all levels. The guard exudes confidence and does not shy away from contesting defenders. His feel for the game and how to analyze a defense are very impressive as well.

Naziel Hilario stands out as a well-rounded guard with an already established reputation as he put together a remarkable 66-point outing. His scoring abilities extend across all three levels, and his passing vision as a lead guard is notable. Hilario has a quick handle and keeps opposing defenders guessing as he drives to the basket.  He makes an impact on defense as well, playing with a high motor and making the right rotations. 

Some Standout 2030 Prospects 

Reading's Adrian Gibson stood out as a taller presence amongst the group. He made a notable impact defending driving opportunities in the paint, contesting shots that came his way, and pulling in rebounds.

2030 prospect Alan Twomey stands at 5'8" and looks to still be growing. Twomey's shooting skills around the floor were on full display as he knocked down shots, finished at the basket and drew contact to get to the line.

Chase Triant's high energy play helped power his showcase squad over the weekend. Triant was all over the court on defense, as well as knocking down pull-up jump shots and making the right passes to his teammates.

Warwick's Cooper Prescott stood out with his flashy play at the guard spot. Prescott is a ball-dominant guard that uses a variety of moves with the ball to navigate the floor and plays aggressive on-ball defense.

Cory Palmaccio is a shorter guard that uses his speed to his advantage, especially on the defensive end. Palmaccio uses quick footwork to keep the ball in front of him, and to drive to the basket on the offensive end.

New Britain's Davian Marcano is a stronger guard that uses his physicality to make his mark on the game. Marcano has advanced court vision as a guard and knows how to set teammates up as a distributor of the ball.