2015 Elite 75 Flashback
We are now only a few weeks away from the 2023 Elite 75 Showcase: Frosh/Soph Edition, set for Friday, September 8th, at 6:00 PM in Hanover, MA at the Starland Sportsplex.
Space is still available. Interested prospects in the classes of 2026 and 2027 can use the link above to learn more or register.
Today’s update is from 2015, when the eighth installment of the Elite 75 Frosh/Soph Showcase once again raised the bar for regional recruitment. Over the past few years, many alums from 2015's showcase have continued their success at some of the highest levels. Here are just a handful of the biggest updates from recent years:
After averaging as many as 8 points and 4 rebounds at Stanford, two-time All-PAC-12 Defensive Team Iona Prep alum Bryce Wills has continued his success in the NBA G League following a stint with the Denver Nuggets Summer League squad. He averaged 7 points and 5 rebounds this past season with the Grand Rapids Gold in the NBA G League.
Putnam Science alum Akok Akok recently transferred to West Virginia after averaging 7 points and 6 rebounds in his first and only season at Georgetown last year. He spent his first three seasons at UConn, averaging as many as 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
St. George’s alum Tyler Kolek just had an incredible season at Marquette last year. At the top of a long list of accolades for his performance this past season is Big East Player of the Year, as the now-rising senior averaged 13 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals, shooting 40% from three-point range and 47% from the field as a junior last year.
Avon/Northfield Mt. Hermon alum Nate Laszewski and Milton Academy alum two-time NEPSAC Class-A Player of the Year Cormac Ryan both just finished dominant Notre Dame careers, with Laszewski recently signing with New Basket Brindisi of Italy’s Lega Basket Serie A, and Ryan transferring to UNC for his final year of eligibility. Laszewski averaged 14 points and 7 rebounds, shooting just under 40% from three-point range and over 50% from the field this past season. Ryan averaged 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and over 1 steal per game. Both served as team captains.
After averaging 14 points and 7 rebounds in his final college season the year before last with Syracuse, St. Andrew’s alum Cole Swider had a stint with the Los Angeles Lakers on a two-year, two-way contract. He averaged 15 points and 6 rebounds in the Summer League, shooting 43% from three-point range. He also made a handful of regular season appearances. He most recently signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Miami Heat.
Swampscott/Brimmer & May alum AJ Reeves averaged over 4 points for the Maine Celtics this past season in the NBA G League following a successful college career at Providence, where he averaged 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists as a senior the year before last.
This is once again only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to successful alums of the Elite 75 Frosh/Soph Showcases. Other players from 2015 who went on to play Division I (and some professional) include Jarred Reuter, Ian Sistare, Djery Baptiste, Aaron Falzon, Corey Daughtery, Elijah Pemberton, Preston Santos, Philmon Gebrewhit, Dana Tate, Keigan Kerby, Tommy O’Neil, John Kelly, Chuck Hannah, Joel Mensah, Tanahj Pettway, Shandon Brown, Jonas Harper, David Mitchell, Terrell Brown, and even more!