CT Open Gym ‘25 Backcourt Standouts pt. 3

Friday, October 31st, 2025

Daniel Wheeler, Macduffie: Once again, Wheeler came in and showed off his dynamic shotmaking skills. The 2028 wing filled his role well playing next to talented upperclassmen. His long-range shotmaking opened up driving lanes for pentetrating guards, and he showed defensive acumen while rotating away from the ball.
 

Ege Cakmakkaya, Calderstones (UK): Standing at 6'6", Cakmakkaya is probably more suited for the wing at the collegiate level, but his guard skills definitely stood out. He was able to use his size to get inside and score, as well as space the floor and knock it down from outside. As one of the youngest in the group that attended from the UK, Cakmakkaya's ceiling may be the highest.
 

Mitch DeBernardo, Brunswick: He plays with a team-first style on the court and likes to create opportunities for himself and his teammates. DeBernardo was good in transition, getting past defenders and finding open teammates for easy baskets. The guard also knocked down threes both off the dribble and in catch and shoots.
 

Alijah Johnson, Suffield Academy: Johnson played a big role his first two seasons with Suffield and looks to keep the momentum going as this season starts to get underway. A strong shooting threat, Johnson has a ton of range and can draw in the defense with his threat to shoot before making a smart pass. He's quick and uses that to his advantage as both a slasher and defender.
 

Nymeer Dozier, NYMA: Dozier is a matchup problem for most guards that he matches up with. He has size and good lateral quickness that allows him to keep up with quicker defenders. The size he brings to the floor also allows him to switch 1-3 and jump screens to cause turnovers. Offensivly he has a sound jumpshot and plays at a good pace. 
 

Kenneth Foster III, Amistad: An undersized guard in the class of 2027, Foster makes up for it by being a strong contributor to multiple facets of the game. He rebounds well out of the backcourt, jumpstarting transition opportunities and keeping his head up to make passing reads. He can knock down shots off the catch, or get downhill to score inside as well.
 

Matthew Daines, Heartland HS (UK): D3 coaches looking for a guard in the class of 2026, Daines is definitely worth a look as he put on a top performance in his run at the CT Open Gym. A 6'1" point guard, Daines was able to show off his bag as a scorer throughout the night. He gets very crafty in the lane, finishing with touch, while being able to step outside and hit threes. 
 

Jaxon Rosario, East Longmeadow: A freshman guard, Rosario is only in the beginning stages of his physical development. The guard did not back down against the older and more developed competition. Rosario made his mark defensively, hounding ball handlers from the point of attack.
 

Mason Germain, East Longmeadow: Germain is a high IQ frwshman guard with shotmaking upside. He stays in constant motion when away from the ball, generating cutting opportunities, Sharpening his handle will be key moving forward.
 

Conor Devine, Macduffie: The guard from just outside NYC displayed his scoring potency. Devine is a reliable floor spacer and has some tough shotmaking ability from 12-15 feet. Will be tracking his progression over the next few years.
 

David Akhidime, Sale Grammar (UK): The sophomore guard from England came over and played well in his NERR event debut. A 6'3" guard that can float off-ball or operate as a primary handler, Alhidime showed off his will to get inside and finish at the rim repeatedly. His active hands defensively are notable as well.
 

AJ Brown, Valley Central (NY): The guard out of Valley Central New York showed off his impressive skillset heading into his sophomore year. Brown posseses multi-level scoring ability, and can get the offense churning with his poise to make strong passing reads.
 

Mikey Malachi, Trinity-Pawling: A high-academic point guard heading into his senior season at Trinity Pawling this winter, keep an eye out for Malachi. He brings a strong command of the ball to the court using his crafty handle to generate space from the defense and create scoring chances. He reads the floor well as a distributor to make passing reads too.
 

Myles Dickerson, NYMA: Dickerson is a big guard at 6'3" that can drift onto the wing, especially on the defensive end, guarding multiple positions. His multilevel scoring abilities will be key for NYMA this year as he can use his strength to get inside, or knock down shots off pull-ups.

Eli Kingsley, Hamden Hall: Kingsley has patience and composure on the offensive end that allow him to outwork and outsmart his opponents. He is shifty and creates opportunities for himself off the dribble. He is a hard-nosed defender and came away with a few turnovers on the night. 
 

Jason Dlugolenski East Granby: The younger brother of Robby, Jason looks to add another piece to the East Granby program this season as he joins as just a freshman. Keep an eye out for how he can impact the game with his scoring ability and passing to get his teammates involved.
 

Robby Dlugolenski, East Granby: The rising sophomore was a nice piece to an East Granby team that won their first playoff game in over 20 years this past March. Robby plays more the role of an undersized wing that can operate as a guard too with his scoring skillset on the perimeter.
 

Aziz Saamo, Macduffie: A 6'2" combo guard transfer into Macduffie this season, Aziz will be looking to put his impressive guard skills on display. He does a nice job of impacting the game with his shake off the dribble, and ability to defend the ball with his quick footwork.
 

Trenton Frasier, NYMA: Frasier excels as a defender who can switch around in the backcourt and onto the 3-4 a little bit. He does a great job of using his body to secure rebounds, while also setting hard screens with his physical build. He offers another layer of shooting to the team too.
 

Jack Walton, Loreto College (UK): Walton is a traditional facilitating point guard who can make his presence felt in other areas. He was able to show off his range as a shooter, as well as play competitive defense throughout the night last week.
 

Kaiden Phillip, Avon Old Farms: He was one of the youngest players in the gym last Friday night and has all the components you could ask for in a guard. He stands at 6'0 and knocked down jumpshots from all three levels at a consistent rate, while also dishing the ball out for easy assists to his teammates. Phillip's is ready to make a splash in NEPSAC Class A this Winter. 
 

Nate Rolle, Avon Old Farms: The 6'3 wing had a strong outing at the Connecticut Open Gym. He is a good two-way player, being able to guard 1-4 with his frame, and he uses his size to score in the paint on the offensive end. He recently reclassed and will bring a unique skill set to Avon this Winter.
 

Brandon Jean, Brunswick: Jean plays at a fast pace and looks to move the ball around the court quick to catch opponents off guard. After a strong season last year he is looking too continue to make shots from the mid range and beyond the arc while incorporating his teammates as well. Defensively, he can guard multiple positions and is disruptive with his pokes. 
 

Bryce Watkins, NYMA: Watkins showed his ability to shoot the ball at a high level throughout the night at Vale. He made contested jumpers from both the three and mid-range and made some tough finishes at the rim. On defense, he plays with a high motor and makes good switches, which lead to many steals throughout the Connecticut Open Gym.
 

Tachel Compton, Frederick Gunn: Compton really contributes to the game with his defensive presence using his body and getting low to stay in front of the ball. He's a strong set shooter from outside, capable of knocking down standstill three,s and he can distribute the ball some as well.
 

Jaedan Hanley, Marianapolis: Hanley was able to showcase his strong shooting ability throughout the Connecticut Open Gym. He works hard to get himself open looks for easy shots and can hit them at a consistent rate. On the defensive end, he looks to poke balls away and create steals for easy transition baskets. 
 

Vinny Dellasanta, Marianapolis: Dellasanta will be a top shooting option for Marianapolis this winter with his versatile shooting skills. He can get into his shots and hit them at a high rate both off the catch and the bounce. His threat to shoot often lets him rip through and get into the lane for pull ups or slashing opportunities.
 

Will Kotchaen, Suffield Academy: Kotchen showed off his shooting versatility in his outing as he can capably make three-pointers both off the catch and off the bounce at a solid rate. He can make passes as a secondary ballhandler and scans the floor before making a strong read.
 

Seann Katubi, NYMA: Making his way to NYMA this year from the MIAA, Katubi looks to be another MA prospect to make it to the next level from the program. The guard with size does a good job of making things happen with his facilitation and playmaking skills, while playing hard on the defensive end.