Commitment Catch-Up (1/5)

Elias Benaka | Monday, January 5th, 2026

The New Year is upon us, and with that, decision day for the future of prospects in the class of 2026 is nearing as the last five or so months of their high/prep school careers come to a close. 

Here are a handful of prospects who have already locked in their next steps to play college basketball at different levels of the NCAA.

Cyrus Hutchison, Brewster Academy Prep (NH)

Committed to Hamilton College (NY) 

Hutchinson has made a name for himself during his time in New England, having grown up in Las Vegas, Nevada. He can score at all three levels from the wing spot, knocking down tough contested jumpers consistently while also finding gaps in the defense and penetrating towards the rim. His consistent play on both ends of the floor has landed him the chance to bring his talents to New York. As this season continues, he is looking to continue to build on Brewster Academy's Prep team's success and continue to develop his body so that he is ready to make an impact as soon as he steps on his new campus. 

John Spinoso, Cheshire Academy (CT)

Committed to Trinity College (CT)

Spinoso is a gifted shooter from beyond the arc with his smooth jumper and developed shot-creating ability at the wing spot. His IQ is a staple of his game, making extra passes consistently and making smart cuts to the basket to set himself up for easy layups. He grew up in New York and has been a standout player for the Crown Basketball program on the HGSL circuit, and is off to a good start this season at Cheshire Academy. Next year, he will join a highly touted Trinity College roster that has been dominating the Division III landscape the past few years and will look to make his presence felt as a freshman. His experiences of playing in New York and Connecticut have shaped Spinoso into a college-ready player. 

Stryckland Whittley-Ligon, Kingswood Oxford (CT)

Committed to Washington University, St. Louis (MO)

The forward from Kingswood Oxford has been on a tear in the last year, and his work has paid off with a chance to take his talents to the Midwest. Last spring/summer, he started to use his size to be more physically dominant in the post and was able to put up impressive double-double numbers. He drives to the rim with a purpose and can finish through contact at a high rate around the rim. Defensively, he uses his body well in the post, being able to defend people bigger than him and block shots well. Before he travels down to St. Louis, him and his team will look to continue to make noise in Class B this year.

Harrison Miles, Deerfield Academy (MA)

Committed to Emory University (GA)

Miles brings size to the wing at 6’7, and he has a knack for scoring the ball both inside and outside the perimeter. He creates good opportunities for himself in the post with his crafty footwork and soft touch around the rim. Beyond the arc, he is a very consistent spot-up shooter and has spent time perfecting his jumper over his years at Deerfield. Defensively, he rebounds the ball aggressively and looks to push it in transition when he can. On the AAU side, he has been an integral part of BCRI’s HGSL team over the years. At the next level, his ability to stretch the floor and get to good spots on the court will help him find success. 

Zach Baum, Nobles and Greenhough (MA)

Committed to Bowdoin College (ME)

Zach Baum has had a strong start to his senior season at Nobles, and his team is finding success as a result. On the offensive en,d he is smart with his cuts and makes very good back-door passes that set his teammates up around the rim. His rebounding ability is noteworthy as he generates many second-chance points from his work on the glass. Defensively, he can guard multiple positions and is effective in the post with his size. He moves well laterally and hustles to all 50/50 balls. He has found success playing for the Middlesex Magic HGSL team, and he has only improved more over his time at Nobles. Next year, he will travel north and look to bring his versatility and IQ to the polar bears roster. 

Nolan Ames, Camden Hills (ME)

Committed to Colby College (ME)

Maine Native Nolan Ames has had quite the career at Camden Hills, and he will be staying in Maine to continue his journey at Colby College. He has excellent athleticism, and he utilizes it on both ends of the floor. On the offensive side, he gets past defenders with his ball handling and can explode towards the rim and finish through traffic around the rim. Defensively, he is a wall in the post and can keep up with quicker players on the perimeter. He is ranked number 2 in the state and is off to a hot start this year, once again proving his rank amongst the best up north.

Eren Ozcelik, Brewster Academy Prep (NH)

Committed to Trinity University (TX) 

Eren Ozcelik is off to a hot start in his second year in Wolfeboro, NH, after making the switch from Houston, where he first started to develop his game. His hard work has given him the opportunity to travel back to his home state and play for a strong Division III program in San Antonio. He has continued to improve his stroke from beyond the arc, making big time shots as Brewster Academy’s Prep team has started off the season strong. Defensively, he has a nice frame, which allows him to block shots and defend in the post against players who are bigger than him. As he continues to grow and solidify his skill set, he will be able to find success down south and take what he has learned in New England with him. 

Mekhi Simmons, St. Paul’s (NH)

Committed to Colby College (ME)

Simmons has developed his guard play over the years, and now he will be able to display his talents at the collegiate level. He is off to a strong start so far this season for St. Paul’s and has been the catalyst for the team's offense. He can facilitate at a high level and make good reads to create opportunities for his teammates. When he gets downhill, he explodes towards the rim and is not afraid of contact around the rim. Defensively, he moves well laterally and gets his hands into passing lanes to cause turnovers. Next year, he will move one state over to Maine and continue his journey at Colby College. 

Adrian Shepard Jr, Tabor Academy (MA)

Committed to Union College (NY)

Coming out of Rhode Island, Shepard has continued to improve over the years, and playing NEPSAC basketball has only elevated his game. He is a strong two-way guard who plays with a high motor and can finish around the rim at a high level. Defensively, he is a pest along the perimeter and can hold his own against bigger opponents in the post. His frame and size make him a very versatile player. He is off to a hot start on the season and has been an integral part to Tabor's offense so far. When he transitions to Union, he will be taking on the big task of being a dual-sport athlete in college. He will be playing football before the basketball season, but his proven ability to overcome adversity is on his side.

Jack Hynes, Cushing Academy (MA)

Committed to Bentley University (MA)

Hynes has built quite a reputation across New England and will continue to showcase his talents next year in his home state. After making the switch to Cushing this year, he has played solid minutes on a team that has been among the best in the country thus far. At 6’6, he uses his size in the post to create space and can finish through traffic around the rim at a consistent rate. Another noteworthy part of his game is his shooting ability. He can knockdown catch and shoot jumpers at a high clip and moves well off the ball. Next year, he will look to make an impact as soon as he sets foot on campus, and he has developed the skillset to do so. 

Nick Sangermano, Loomis-Chaffee (CT)

Committed to the University of New Hampshire (NH)

Sangermano will return to his home state of New Hampshire following his final season playing in Connecticut at Loomis-Chaffee. A 6’5 wing, Sangermano has made his outside shooting ability a staple of his game and a coveted asset at the collegiate level. The UNH commit has an eye for getting down the lane and finishing above the rim using his athleticism and strength. He plays with strong intangibles, making plays in the lane off of two feet, and limiting the mistakes he can make with the ball in his hands. Sangermano looks to cap off his Loomis-Chaffee career in style this season as a leader of the squad.