2025 #E75 Academic Experience - ‘27/‘28 Backcourt

Thursday, March 27th, 2025

There were a ton of impressive underclassmen guards that came to last weekend's Elite 75 Academic Experience, and a number of guys who are bound to continue to improve at a high rate throughout their high school careers. 

Here's who caught our eye.

Jack Millward, Rivers (MA) - Announcing his transfer to Class B powerhouse Rivers a day before the showcase, Millward will definitely be a name to watch in the ISL moving forward. The 6'4" guard is very skilled with the ball and it showed as he was able to use his handle to create for himself, as well as finish inside with both hands. Millward knocked down shots from outside with a clean release, made passes to get others good looks, and played tough defense. A new name in the class of 2027 to monitor in Massachusetts.

Ja Bennett, St. Sebastian's (MA) - The St. Sebastian's freshman has notable upside to track down the line, and stood out in this setting playing with a ton of older players. Bennett is very quick with the ball and has a shifty handle that he uses to create separation. He was able to get to the rim relentlessly, hit floaters on the move, as well as create shots from the perimeter. A name to watch as he continues to develop his game.

Jaise Greaves, Notre Dame Fairfield (CT)    Greaves was a nightmare for opposing guards on the defensive end. Moving his feet well, and forcing a plethora of turnovers. He also showed off his ability to finish with either hand, and his range from beyond-the-arc. Was a well-deserved All-Patriot Conference team member this season that was one half of a dynamic duo with fellow sophomore Josh Charlot.

Syre Gillespie, Capital Prep (CT) - Gillespie was able to use his length to his advantage, contesting and blocking shots on defense. On offense he showcased his smooth pull-up jumper and ability to knock down shots from deep. Gillespie's continued to improve at a pretty impressive rate, and has a ton more upside to keep an eye on as he keeps getting better.

Daniel Wheeler, Longmeadow (MA) -    Following a playoff run with Longmeadow High School, Wheeler's potential is very easy to see. The 6'4" wing has served as a top option during the winter season of his freshman and sophomore years, and can really get things going. Wheeler has size to put the ball on the floor and create space to knock down threes, while he's got some polished moves in the post.

Noah Hambley, South Hadley (MA) - South Hadley star guard Noah Hambley closed out a remarkable sophomore season, highlighted by his 30 point outburst in a playoff win over Uxbridge. That momentum carried over to the Academic Experience as Hambley performed very well. He's got a really smooth looking three that he connected at a high clip at the showcase, while also getting to the rim and playing an unselfish game.

Christian Pastore, Billerica Memorial (MA) - Pastore has a really skilled game led by his ability to control the ball with his handle and see the floor to snap passes to open teammates. He gets into three-pointer's pretty swiftly and has good mechanics on his shot to knock them down at a high clip. As a freshman on varsity this season that was a top contributor, his upside is evident. 

Isaiah Ferguson, Notre Dame Tyngsboro (MA) - The freshman guard played with his NDA teammate at the showcase and their chemistry, specifically on the defensive end shined. Ferguson was able to trap the ball with the help of Rigo Challinger, and put pressure on the ball. He was able to step into three's from outside showing upside on the perimeter.

Christian Figueroa, Dexter Southfield (MA) - Figueroa controlled the pace of the game, and made great reads to get his teammates good looks. He consistently got into the paint and finished tough layups and floaters over much larger defenders.

Sean Costello, BC High (MA) - Costello plays tough defense timing with good anticipation to deflect passes or alter shots. The southpaw guard has touch from outside the arc which allowed him to be a consistent contributor at the varsity level as a freshman. 

Julian Donovan, Rocky Hill (RI) - Donovan is a quick, shifty guard that keeps defenders off balance with his handling ability. Once he gets past his man, the guard has a smooth touch off the glass with good control of his body to finish layups through contesting defenders.

Jacob Tamke, Mt. Hope (RI) - The Rhode Island based freshman played the point guard role well for his team at the Academic Experience. Tamke plays a composed game, getting other players open as a facilitator, while also being able to knock down spot up shots from outside.

Tyler Johnson, Old Colony (MA) - A freshman at Old Colony, Johnson played a solid role for his team coming off the bench as they earned a playoff berth. Johnson's shooting skills were well noted by our staff, as well as his feel for when to cut to the basket, and help set up his teammates to get their own shots off.

Jonathan Polanco, Brookfield (CT) - Polanco's composed guard play stood out in his appearance last week. He was vital to running the offense for his team, directing traffic and making great decisions with the ball. 

Kingstan Scannell, Hopkins (CT) -  A known shooter in the class of 2028, Scannell lived up to the bill in his run at the Academic Experience on Friday. Scannell is able to knock down shots in a numerous ways as his shotmaking versatility shined. His high motor is another notable trait we made note of, as he exhibited a ton of effort on both ends of the floor throughout the night.

Mason Brodsky, Ridgefield (CT) - High academic freshman Mason Brodsky made a good impact for his team the other night. Brodsky's shooting skills were well noted by our scouts as he showed great form and a fluid release on his shot from deep. 

Rigo Challinger, Notre Dame Tyngsboro (MA) - Challinger's defensive play with high school teammate Isaiah Ferguson was well noted by our scouts, but his offensive play is notable as well. Challinger impacts the game as a three-level scorer that can stack on points when given the opportunity. As a faciliatator, he put the other guys on his team in good spots for scoring opportunites too.

Aidan Sullivan, Narragansett (MA) - The coastal Rhode Island freshman showed great poise at the guard spot in his appearance the other night. Sullivan was able to read the floor with the ball in his hands and navigate around to create good looks for the others on his team. 

Amari Delves, Villages Green (RI) - The sophomore guard limited turnovers when attacking the basket using his body and keeping the ball tight to his hip. Delves made smart cuts to the basket to expose the defense and finish inside, while also contributing as a rebounder and a sound help defender.

Grant Neal, Lynnfield (MA) - North Shore based sophomore Grant Neal just had a great season playing varsity as one of the youngest players on the squad. Neal has a great jumper from outside that allows him to stack up three-pointers, a feat he accomplished many times over the winter.

Jaylin Sanchez, Concord Academy (MA) - Sanchez is a name to know out of the Massachusetts sophomore class who excels on the defensive end. All throughout the Academic Experience, Sanchez's ability to guard the entire floor and play with a high energy level resonated with those around him. The Concord Academy guard's quickness off the dribble on drives stood out as well in his outing.

Chris Maina, Central Catholic (MA) - Maina did a great job of attacking the basket using his quickness and ability to create holes in the defense. He contributed on the boards at the event, took contact on drives and converted at the line, all while showing upside as a ballhandler as well.

Lucas Mashikian, Roxbury Latin (MA) - Mashikian has some upside as a scorer and has shown that can he hit shots from the mid-range and behind the arc. His energy level on defense is notable and he competes hard out on the floor to make winning plays.

Austin McLaren, Brunswick (CT) - McLaren has some upside to make note of in the Connecticut class of 2027. His offensive arsenal was on full display at the showcase as he was able to connect on his pull-up jumpers, while being able to get into the lane.  When he got to the basket, McLaren utilized his great footwork to create openings and make layups or floaters.

JT Araujo, Xaverian (MA) - Araujo was aggressive attacking the basket and was able to create advantages for his team by getting into the paint. While in the lane he displayed solid ball security, avoiding turning the ball over with defenders pressuring him.

Jeremy Kapoke, Keefe Tech (MA) - Kapoke showed good feel for the game with some of the passes he made in the halfcourt. On defense he did a great job keeping his man out on the perimeter, and sliding his feet to keep the ball in front of him.

Shawn Senatus, Framingham (MA) - Senatus was aggressive on the defensive end at the showcase and made a significant impact rebounding the ball. He also knocked down multiple three-pointers, speaking to his range from deep.

Matthew Robinson, King (CT) - Robinson was great as a help-defender, getting into driving lanes and forcing turnovers. On the offensive end he showed off his finishing ability by converting layups over taller defenders

Jack Hamilton, Lexington (MA) - Hamilton is a great shooter with incredibly consistent form on shots from beyond-the-arc. He can open the floor up for his teammates by shooting off the catch, or knock down tougher shots off the dribble.

Cameron Clemons, St. Luke's (CT) - Clemons was frequently matched up against larger players and was able to box them out and grab a lot of rebounds. On offense he opened up the floor for his team by knocking down a variety of outside shots.

Ezra Cutler, Gann Academy (MA) - Cutler was one of the most versatile players in the building, showcasing his impressive passing and shooting ability on the offensive end. On the defensive end he also slid his feet well, and provided help defense at the rim.

Cannon Cosindas, Old Rochester (MA) - Cosindas showcased great form on his pull-up jumpers, and took a lot of great shots. He played in the flow of the offense, and made some great passes to free up his teammates.