2025 Prep Profile: Worcester

Monday, December 1st, 2025

Worcester Academy comes into this season with another NEPSAC AA title under Head Coach Jamie Sullivan’s leadership. 

While they won the AA championship in March, the Hilltoppers have lost a lot of key pieces in the graduations of Amir Jenkins (West Virginia), Chris Leman (Mercyhurst), Connor Swider (Youngstown State), Payton Kamin (Penn), Ryan Sullivan (Harvard), and the transfer of point guard Cameron Hailey (Western Reserve).

While they will be without those six Division 1 players this season, it’s hard to bet against them, as you know, the squad will be well-coached and ready to take on the hardships of a season in the NEPSAC's AA division.

Anthony DeJohn and Jordan McFadden will presumably walk into prominent roles this season, as the two look to lock themselves into their future college homes in the near future. Both of the senior guards have been in the program for a while now, bringing experience and familiarity with the high expectation the coaching staff has of their players. 

DeJohn’s a strong off-ball guard who makes himself felt as a physical slasher and high-energy defender. His leadership and catch-and-shoot skills will be essential to the squad. McFadden, a 6’2 guard, will likely handle lead guard duties, changing the game with his shifty handle and strong scoring skill. Both guards have picked up a lot of looks in the high-academic ranks, as well as from schools in the NE-10.

Diesel Kahawai will be another senior with a role on the team, bringing his 3&D skills to the court, with two other seniors in Yagiz Yildiz and Kaleb Ngumo on the roster as well.

Josiah Reyes headlines the returners in the class of 2027, along with Chris Vinson, who missed last season due to injury. The two guards will be expected to step up throughout the season, helping run the offense and carry some of the scoring load down the stretch. Vinson's impact will be one to watch as he has evident upside as a big guard with basketball bloodlines.

Cole Callahan, Cavan Gardner, and Aadarsh Yalamanchili round out the returning junior class for the squad.

Cole Blackburn, cousin of Binghamton freshman Jake Blackburn, joins the squad this year. His development in the program will be one to keep an eye on, having recently reclassified into 2027, and making visible strides in his play out on the perimeter. His athleticism above the rim is a notable asset to the team, but if he can stretch his game to the three more consistently, his upside grows.

Youth is in abundance with this year's Worcester squad as they carry five sophomores on the roster. Jack Rye, a big 6'9 forward from England, showed some game in his Frosh/Soph Elite 75 debut this past September, while others, such as Dylan Lyons and Hunter Berry, are familiar faces from Massachusetts we expect to make an impact down the line. Dyson Smith and Wesley Stromme are also a part of the sophomore class at Worcester Academy.

With two games under their belt in the young season, Worcester will work to compete in a crowded AA field that looks to be as competitive as it's ever been.