2026 NE Frosh/Soph #E75 - Best of the Forwards pt.1

Tuesday, September 15th, 2026

Today, we're turning our attention to the forwards, a highly talented group with plenty of versatility and long-term upside. From athletic finishers to skilled forwards capable of stretching the floor, there is no shortage of intriguing prospects to follow on this list. Check it out.

Finn McCauley, New Hampton: McCauley was one of the most experienced players in the field that we saw over the weekend. The 6'7" forward out of New Hampshire has impressive athleticism combined with a nose for the ball where he's a notable threat for putbacks and racks up rebounds. His shooting has gotten better as of late and he's also starting to really get into attacking closeouts off the bounce. His upside in the 2029 class is among the top in the region.

Josiah Broko, Cushing Academy: Broko was a mismatch all night long in his initial Frosh/Soph appearance as he joins Cushing in the class of 2029. He's physically gifted with his 6'8" stature paired with the strength/force he brings to the floor. He can really rise up to throw down forceful dunks, while being able to make standstill treys and score off the bounce some. Will be a nice piece for Cushing as he gets into the program this fall.

Tadhg Howard, Thayer academy: The Irish native jumped onto the scene this past Spring and became a coveted class of 2030 prospect in the New England region with the potential to really soar. Howard is a legit 6'7" with a fluid game and advanced feel for a freshman. He does a good job of using footwork to score in the post, while rebounding well and using his length to block shots around the basket. Offers a ton of upside as a pull-up shooter.

Tommy McGovern, Tabor Academy: McGovern becomes a very intriguing forward in the class of 2029 as he moves over to Tabor this fall. At 6'7", McGovern uses his size to his advantage to make an impact in the post. He's extremely good at walling up on the defensive end and blocking shots, while being an efficient finisher around the cup. The Marblehead native spaces the floor as a shooter and has upside to monitor.

Brandyn Clarke, New Hampton: Clarke has great size for the forward position and has consistently developed his game over the past twelve months. His physical tools allow him to cover ground and impact the game defensively to jump lanes and get deflections. On offense, he is a plus athlete who can finish with authority above the rim and is continuing to work on his shooting.

Cleto Deng, Salem HS: Standing around 6'6", Deng brings an impressive resume into his sophomore season having been a starter on a state championship winning Salem team last winter. The forward has broad shoulders with a strong frame to get into the bodies of defenders inside and finish through contact. He's got early physical tools and continuing to become more forceful will be huge for his development.

Ryan ORourke, New Hampton: During the Rivals underdog run to the 3SSB championship game this fall, O'Rourke was very impressive while playing the role of a big and taking on the assignment of covering multiple nationally-ranked centers. While he's still in the process of working on his body, he knows how to use his length and wingspan to alter/block shots in bunches. He's also shown competency as a shooting threat now joining the class of 2029 this fall.

Rayan Taku, Tabor Academy: Following a freshman season where he burst onto the scene for Malden Catholic, Taku heads south to join Class A/ISL competitor, Tabor Academy. He's got great size to him at 6'6" with the ability to put the ball on the floor and make plays as a scorer. He can get past defenders on drives to the rim to finish with strength around the basket, but he's also a competent shooting threat with a big role in sight.

Jalen Sterling, Kolbe Cathedral: The Bridgeport-based incoming freshman forward was seemingly going to miss the showcase with an ankle injury, but decided to come and actually show out two days ago in Hamden. Sterling shines as an athlete who you wouldn't know was coming off a foot injury with the way he can get off the ground. His slashing motor impressed too and with development on his jumper he could make some noise.

Abdullah Bamba, Springfield Commonwealth: Bamba may have converted the most dunks on the weekend across both events as the incoming Springfield Commonwealth 6'7" forward applied pressure when he was on the court. In the open floor, Bamba can make defenders pay as once he gets up, he's not afraid to take contact and force his way in for dunks. 

Parker Ray, Xavier HS: Ray's an intriguing 6'6" forward prospect out of Middletown Connecticut that can impact the game in different ways. He does a good job of using his length to get to the cup on drives, while serving as a shooting threat off the catch and providing some defensive ability. Primed for a big sophomore season in the CIAC.

Will Akason, Greens Farms Academy: Akason had a strong showing two days ago as yet another 6'7" freshman prospect in the NEPSAC who has a chance to make some noise. His specialty certainly resides from beyond the arc as he has that coveted blend of size and shooting in his bag. He can get to the basket and finish off the glass, and has notable upside as he develops both physically and athletically.

Wantue Major, Notre Dame West Haven: Our first viewing of Major came on Sunday as the NDWH sophomore forward's upside shined. He's got athleticism that you can't teach to really hover above the rim and apply pressure as a scorer in the lane. Has a ton more upside as he gets more comfortable and works on becoming a competent shooting threat.

Ege Cakmakkaya, St. Georges: Cakmakkaya actually made his NERR showcase debut in October of 2025 at the Connecticut Open Gym, and now joins St. George's this season. The British based prospect offers some stellar floor spacing ability as a 6'7" forward with intriguing handle and ability to expose defenders off the bounce.

Jameson Purdy, St. Sebastians: Purdy has grown over 6 inches since his last showing at the Frosh/Soph Elite 75 two years ago, and can be an impact player this season for St Seb's. He thrives as a finisher in the lane with the toughness to finish through contact and athleticism to get above the rim. He also has good hands to catch entry passes and can make spot up threes from outside. 

Evan Seitz, Saint Luke's: Seitz announced his decision to reclass last fall and has continued to catch our attention as a young prospect. Now standing at 6'9", Seitz has the ability to finish with authority in the paint with room to develop physically still. He's a three-level scoring threat with great size and can attack mismatches with a quick first step to step into middy pull ups or get to the basket. 

Yala Obuya, Albany Academy: Obuya will be one to track as he goes down the line as he already possesses a 6'7" strong frame in just the eighth grade. The Albany Academy forward is really fluid as a slasher and has athleticism to his game as well.

Joey Teixeira, Grasso Tech: The CT based 2029 made a big impact at the varsity level as a freshman for Grasso Tech, and looks to build on that this season. Teixeira is strong and plays with a motor to get to the basket on drives, or use some moves to score the ball in the post. He can shoot the three a little bit while offering some touch in the paint as well.

Rahshjeem Benson, Holland Tech: Benson's calling card is the true bounce and athleticism he has as a 6'4" incoming freshman forward. He's a consistent lob threat who gets off the groud with ease to really flush down the ball with authority. Expanding his game away from the paint more with his pop makes him a very intriguing prospect.

Ethan Mellor, Cony: Mellor had a really good outing the other night as the Augusta Maine based forward looks to build in his sophomore season. At 6'5" he gets off the floor pretty easily as coaches came away with impressed with his ability to do so. He can space the floor a bit too and has a lot of potential with more consistency to come.

Mason Fay, Trinity HS: Fay's already about 6'4" heading into his sophomore year and is a dual athlete as he plays football as well. He can expose lanes on the defensive end with his slashing skill and is developing more as an athlete around the rim.

Kobe Wisniowski, Brewster Academy: Wisniowski is a sophomore to keep an eye on at Brewster as he's played some high level public school basketball up to this point. He's 6'6" with the coveted blend of size and strength while bringing athleticism and some upside as he develops from the perimeter.