Dylan Thayer’s Standout Unsigned Seniors in the RIIL

Tuesday, January 7th, 2025

The state of Rhode Island has some college prospects playing amongst the different ranks of it's state association, the RIIL.

Here are some names in the senior class to know as the season continues to progress.

Liam Simpson, a 6'7" forward quite possibly might be the best prospect on the board in the RIIL's senior class this year. Simpson often creates mismatches on the floor at his size, and does well exploiting them to get baskets. He's a strong rebounder, that controls that end of the floor in this setting, while also being a capable defender and scorer inside. He's shown signs of improving as a floor-spacer from outside, and as a focal playmaker in the offense. 

His running mate Jake Marcone is another top threat in the state of Rhode Island. Marcone stands at 6'5" with an accurate shot from outside. He thrives as a shooter off the catch, but can blow past defenders to get to the rim if they bite on a shot fake. 
 

Griffin Sward makes winning plays for his South Kingstown squad when he's on the court. The 6'2" guard does a great job of using his strength and instincts to box out defenders and corral rebounds off the glass. He's a sharpshooter that moves well off the ball to get his shots from outside.

Jakob Reyes entered this season as seemingly the top scoring option for his Bishop Hendricken squad and has lived up to the bill posting 37 in his first outing of the season. Reyes is a 6'2" guard that has taken his game to new levels since I first watched him play back in the fall of 2022. He's gotten a lot quicker, can do more with the ball, and his shots are falling at a much higher clip than before. 

James Caldarella is another great scoring option for Hendricken as he provides some outside shooting and can get in the lane to score on the move. The two will look to lead the squad to success this season.
 

North Kingstown's Michael DeOrsey showed off his outside shooting prowess in the viewings I've had so far and does so on a nightly basis in Rhode Island. DeOrsey's range can extend well beyond the three-point line and he gets his shots off with limited space. Landon Bodington leads the squad at the point guard. He's known for getting to the basket, getting others involved, and competing on the defensive end of the floor.

Jonathan Ramos and his younger brother John Ramos have gotten Central High School off and running to start the year. The eldest Ramos brother is averaging north of 20 points a game, making his mark as a scorer inside and out. The two brothers have a nice mix of being able to play on and off ball as the primary option's for the squad. While John is just a freshman, Jonathan is a senior that has shown to be a potential college player. Lester Rodriguez is another lethal option for the squad averaging north of 21 points per game, filtering in and out with the other guards on the squad.
 

Tolman's John Hilaire has performed well as the team's leader this season, contributing all over the floor. Just the other day he posted a near triple-double of 14 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. Hilaire is a relentless slasher that can create for others while on the move. His teammates Hayson Ortiz and Nathan Borden are two other important scoring options for the squad this season.

East Greenwich’s Rees Maccarone is a college prospect flying under the radar in RI. Maccarone averages near a triple double on the year and the 6’5 wing has a tool belt of skills to score inside and out. 
 

North Providence is led by two available seniors in Kyle Prete (6'5") and Ronnie Vincent (6'4") in the schools return to DII of the RIIL. Both of the forwards add an inside/out presence, with Vincent excelling as a shooter out of the pick-and-pop. Prete does a good job of using his length to score off the glass. Yosiel Bonilla leads the squad as the point guard using his handle and playmaking vision to get others involved.
 

Ace Cote opened up the season with 32 points for his Lincoln High School squad as they entered the D1 ranks in the RIIL. Cote excels at getting to his spots in the mid-range and converting his jumpers off the dribble.
 

The reigning D1 state champions at Classical currently sit at 4-3 led by junior standout Eliezer Delbrey who just surpassed 1,000 points. Jordan Duke and Abdul Evans are two of the senior options on the squad. Duke is headed towards a college football career but impacts the floor as an athletic finisher and defender. Evans can really score it and does a good job of getting to the basket using his smooth moves with the ball.
 

Juanita Sanchez's RJ Frazier is a strong senior contributor for the team. He's a tough defender that makes plays both inside and outside of the arc, and has good touch on layups.