Massoud Leads Mass 2019

New England Recruiting Report | Thursday, September 7th, 2017

If Connecticut's junior class is deep, Massachusetts' is deeper.

In fact, we ranked 20 players in the Bay State's 2019 class and even at that there were plenty of others who deserved consideration.

What is currently unanimous among the NERR staff is that MacDuffie School and PSA Cardinals product Ismael Massoud is the top ranked player in the state. With tremendous perimeter size, good length, and one of the most polished skill sets in New England, this guy has real potential to play multiple positions at the next level and is as much of a match-up problem as you'll find facing the basket.

Coming up next are three prospects who have all shown moments of potential to play at the highest levels of college basketball. Dexter and WrightWay Skills big man Charles Coleman has seen his recruitment take off in the last few months as he's worked extremely hard to develop both his body and inside-out skill set. NMH and PSA Cardinals forward Maxwell Lorca-Lloyd is a hyper-active athlete who can run and jump for days and played to rave reviews in international competition this summer. MacDuffie guard Dalano Banton bounced around the grassroots circuit this spring and summer but has undeniable perimeter tools with his size, length, and fluidity. Bradford Christian and D.C. Blue Devils' Gob Gabriel falls into a category with Banton. He's a lanky perimeter player with great length and an undeniable tool set. He's also a major riser this summer as the light bulb appears to now be turning on which led to much more frequent high level plays.

Coming up next are a trio of guards that could literally be arranged in any given order. Dexter and WrightWay Skills guard Noah Kamba has the highest level of recruitment following his UConn offer earlier this summer. Incoming Cushing Academy guard Daman Tate may have the highest upside with his size and budding playmaking ability but fellow Expressions product Noah Fernandes, from Tabor Academy, is the most polished and proven of the group right now with a feel for the game to match his skill set.

Worcester Academy and BABC big man Mitch Doherty may not have the same physical upside as others high on the list, but if you needed to win a game today or were looking for the smartest or most efficient forward available, there wouldn't be anywhere close to 8 others ahead of him.

Next up is a group of wings that have not really differentiated themselves just yet. Expressions and O'Bryant's Rivaldo Soares was a breakout from last fall's Elite 75 Frosh/Soph and came on strong this past July as he showed a power body on the wing with increased playmaking and a newfound ability to facilitate for others. His Expressions' teammate, Preston Santos, also made clear strides this spring following his year at Brooks. Wilbraham & Monson and New Heights' product Idan Tretout was one of New England's most solid sophomores a year ago while Dexter and WrightWay Skills wing Jordan Mason has emerged as well.

Tabor's Chris Herren Jr. and Thayer's Moses Flowers both played important minutes on a New England Playaz 17u squad that saw tremendous success this past summer while Hason Ward was the centerpiece of the club's 16u team thanks to his long and active frame. Milton Academy and Rise Above forward Dan Schlakman played his way into the rankings this summer showing an efficient blend of skill, intelligence, and size. Brookline wing Chris Camille has the talent to be much higher but needs to start turning potential into reliable production. Incoming Brimmer & May forward Jordan Minor has a very high motor and expanding game while his Mass Rivals teammate Marty Silvera is one of the shiftiest guards around with the skill set to match.

Other players right on the cusp of the rankings include Middlesex Magic forward Patrick Mogan, WrightWay Skills guard Alex Stoddard, Expressions forward Joe Pridgen, Castle guard Jordan McAllister, and BABC wings Kyle Layman and Kyle Murphy.. Others not far off include the likes of Matt Niemczura, Paul Durkee, Christian Beck, Rhett Carter, Casey McLaren, Javaris Hill, Dan Klosk, and Matthew Corey to name just a few.