2028 NEPSAC Standouts Pt. 1

JP Pinkrah | Sunday, January 4th, 2026

The class of 2028 has a ton of talent across the ranks that has been making noise. For this article, we will focus on some 2028's who have been leading the charge for their respective teams, with more to come on the other standouts in the class as the season goes on. 

Brayden Buckley, Thayer: Buckley is an intriguing prospect who consistently leverages changes of speed and direction to create offense off the dribble. At 6’3, he’s crafty getting downhill and complements his drives with a reliable mid-range pull-up that keeps defenders honest. He plays with strong body control, allowing him to finish through traffic or stop on a dime when help arrives. Buckley also shows promise as a playmaker, collapsing the defense and finding teammates for clean spot-up opportunities. His combination of size, feel, and shot creation makes him a difficult matchup for opposing guards.
 

Adriel Cantave, St. George's: Cantave impacts the game on multiple levels, with his facilitation standing out most. He’s a highly unselfish guard who consistently puts teammates in scoring positions, whether through catch-and-shoot looks or dump-offs following paint touches. At 6’3, he’s a capable spot-up shooter who makes defenses pay for leaving him unattended. Cantave is also a willing defender who plays with energy on both ends of the floor. He’s particularly effective in transition, where his pace and decision-making help generate high-quality scoring chances.
 

TJ Allen, Darrow: Allen is a determined finisher who welcomes contact when attacking the paint. His offensive game is intentional and fluid, built around smooth movements designed to beat defenders off the dribble. He shows good balance finishing through bodies and maintaining control at the rim. Allen’s athleticism allows him to consistently pressure the defense and create scoring opportunities. As his perimeter game continues to develop, his offensive impact should only grow.
 

Jack Charchaflian, Noble & Greenough: Charchaflian is highly effective at changing direction with the ball, fueled by a sharp and decisive crossover. He stands out as a slasher who plays well off two feet and shows comfort using step-throughs to finish in traffic. Charchaflian operates at his own pace, rarely looking rushed even when the defense collapses. He has a strong feel for identifying and exploiting gaps in the defense. That combination of control and craft makes him a consistent threat in the half-court.
 

Wiji Dak, Tilton: Dak is an explosive athlete, particularly in transition, where he excels at initiating contact and finishing around the rim. At 6’4, he uses his strength to carve out space in the paint and apply consistent pressure on the defense. He shows promise as a short-range scorer, willing to bully his way to layups, kick out to open shooters, or take the jumper when given room. Dak plays with a solid understanding of spacing and timing when attacking. His blend of physicality and basketball IQ gives him a strong foundation moving forward.
 

Malachi Odugbela, St. Andrews: Odugbela’s shooting ability immediately stands out when watching his game. He’s comfortable rising up off the dribble or on the catch, forcing defenders to stay attached at all times. At 6’5, he mixes in downhill drives to keep defenses honest and create secondary advantages. Odugbela takes pride in his passing out of ball-screen actions, consistently making the right read. He plays with notable energy and competitiveness that shows on both ends of the floor.
 

Kingsley Rogers, Willliston: Rogers is an impactful spot-up threat who confidently hunts perimeter shots off the ball. At 6’5, he brings strong shooting volume and spacing value within the offense. His leaping ability shows up on the offensive glass, where he creates extra possessions through activity and timing. Rogers also has potential as a weak-side defender, using his length to disrupt plays. In transition, he’s capable of finishing at the rim with a variety of one and two-foot finishes. The ceiling he has is definitely worth keeping an eye on as he goes through the years. 
 

Jackson Perri, Roxbury Latin: Perri brings scoring range that extends well beyond the three-point line, putting immediate pressure on opposing defenses. He pairs that shooting with a quick first step and dribble-pop that make him difficult to contain. Perri is effective getting to two feet in the lane, allowing him to make both kick-out reads and strong layup finishes. He also shows a polished mid-range package, whether stopping on a dime or creating separation with a fadeaway. His ability to score from multiple levels gives him reliable offensive versatility, and he has an advanced feel for the game due to playing up in age for so long. 
 

Kyle Delves, Mount St. Charles: Delves thrives as a high-pace slasher and playmaker who consistently looks to put pressure on the rim. He uses physicality to bump defenders off their spots and create finishing angles with either hand. In transition, Delves does a strong job skipping the ball to the weak-side corner to counter defensive rotations. The lefty guard is also developing into a legitimate perimeter threat. As his off-the-dribble scoring continues to improve, his overall offensive value continues to rise. Keep an eye on his development as the de facto leader of the up-and-coming squad at MSC.