#NEOpenGym - Best of the 2025 Backcourt

Wednesday, October 30th, 2024

We continue on with the recap of the 2025 group at the New England Open Gym, but today we'll take a look at the guards who stood out throughout the session.

Wilkin Paulino, Proctor - Returning from injury this summer, Paulino got right back into the groove of things. He's a defensive menace when guarding on ball with a developed body and gets physical to force turnovers. On the offensive end his athleticism shines as he can throw down emphatic slams, finish through contesting defenders inside, or create a shot off the dribble.

Calvin Godbolt, Holyoke - Known as one of the Springfield area's notable senior guard prospects, Godbolt has had a notable career. He's a microwave scorer with speed and handle at the guard spot to score the ball, and has family history at the highest levels of the sport.

Unai Fernandez, Hoosac    Fernandez's size at the guard spot helps him take advantage of his matchup. The Spanish native is very skilled with impressive passing ability to get others open, a smooth jumpshot and some moves when he gets inside. He's gotten some scholarship looks thus far with a big senior season on the horizon.

Kieran Webb, Hoosac - Webb's contribution's all over the court really caught our eye. He stands at 6'3" and can play either guard position. His handle allows him to score off the bounce, and he gets into the body of defenders inside.

Tristan Rodriguez, Darrow - Rodriguez was one of the top standouts of the day, hounding opposing guards on the defensive end and forcing turnovers. His speed with the ball allowed him to get to his spots all around the court and really leave his mark. He's got a handful of colleges he's currently talking to, and is worth checking out for those seeking a 2025 guard.

Hilary Iyare, BC High - Iyare is a shorter guard that plays above his size as he can manuever his way through the defense with his speed/handle and finish around the rim. When guarding on-ball, he gets low in his stance, keeps the ball in front of him, and can really be a problem for his matchup. Check out this under the radar guard in the MIAA.

Dayn Campbell, Macduffie - Ready for his senior season at Macduffie, Campbell is a guard schools should take a look at. He's an excellent scoring guard that can convert at all three levels, brings a motor to the floor and makes reads as a playmaker.

Jalen Butler, Redemption Christian - Making his way to Upstate New York from the desert, Butler impressed. He's a 6'4" combo guard with a lethal shot from behind the three-point line. His ability to break down defenders off the dribble and create for himself, as well as make the right passes for his teammates truly stood out.

Amyre Gray, Saint Bernards - Gray was an integral factor in the St. Bernard's state title game run this past year, and is looking to run it back and leave with a chip. He's a strong guard that can knock down pull-ups, or manuever his way through the lane to the basket.

Avery Mickens, Suffield Academy - Joining Suffield for a postgrad year this season, Mickens is fresh off a very impressive career in the CIAC. He's got limitless range with a quick load up to his shot to get it off in seconds. His accuracy is notable as well as his shooting efficiency, and looks the part of a good academic prospect.

Sincere Monroe, Windsor Locks - Monroe enters his senior year with lots of momentum, contributing throughout his entire high school tenure thus far. He's a smaller guard that makes up for it with his explosive speed with the ball, and does a great job of getting downhill off screens. Schools looking for senior guards, Monroe deserves a look.

Andrew Crayton, Haddam-Killingworth - An unsigned senior guard of note, Cryaton's scoring skills are defintiely notable. He's got a fluid form to his shot with a smooth release, quick burst to get past closing out defenders, and creates space for shtos from outside with his handle.

Eric Swain, Bridgeport Prep - The native of Vermont brings a ton of physicality to the court with his strong upper body. He's able to score at all three levels of the court, positions himself well to haul in rebounds and plays with a motor.

Danny Adams, Darrow - Adams enters the Darrow School after a standout career at Quincy High School. He's a very athletic guard with twitch to his game, finishes well in the lane using his longer arms, and has solid shot creation skill. He plays tough, competitive defense when matched up with opposing guards.

Luka Dordevic, Hoosac - Another strong, high-academic guard out of the Hoosac School, Dordevic's play caught our attention. He gets low on defense and forces turnovers. When he gets going, he'll take the ball right into the paint to score inside through contact.

Alex Torres, Wilbraham & Monson - The high-academic guard enters a big year at Wilbraham & Monson. He's got toughness to him, runs the offense at the point guard spot, and makes hustle plays all over the floor.

Ben Miller, Hamden Hall - The Hamden Hall guard has made a reputation for himself as a flamethrower from outside. While that is true, other aspects of his game are starting to stick out like his ability to take someone off the dribble, or making reads as a secondary playmaker.

Asher Abeles-Tierney, St. Luke's - Abeles played a strong role with St. Luke's last year as the lead guard, and carries that momentum into this season. He makes excellent reads as a playmaker and snaps passes to open teammates. His shooting stands out as he makes a living from three and in the mid-range.

Tineus McCluster, Macduffie - Entering his postgrad season after a successful career at Chicopee Comprehensive, McCluster is a Western Mass guard of note. He can score it at all three-levels, has fluidity to his game and oozes confidence.

Deryn Momo, Hoosac - Momo has a quick jolt to his game as he's able to change speeds with the ball in an instant and get past closing out defenders. He makes shots on drives to the basket with a package of different ways to finish, and can knock down three-pointers off the dribble.

Marcus Lozius, Billerica Memorial - Lozius has continued to elevate his game as of late, and has shown more improvement since our last Elite 75 viewing in June. His tight crossover blended with his quick first step allows him to fly past defenders towards the basket. He's got athleticism to finish off-balance in the paint, and makes great playmaking reads when attacking.

Isaiah Hernandez, Macduffie - Hernandez is another guard of note from the Macduffie varsity squad. He plays a confident game, abel to finish layups through contact or knock down standstill shots.

Patrick Madden, Hopedale - The Hopedale guard is of a smaller stature but can control the game as the lead facilitator. Madden does a good job of limiting turnovers with his decision-making, has a smooth shooting stroke from outside, and is an MIAA prospect D3's should check in on.

Jaice Martabano, Trinity Pawling - An unsigned senior in Class A of the NEPSAC, Martabano is a guard coaches should check out. He's got speed to his game, excelling on straight-line driveso, but has some twitch in his handle as well. His shooting stands out, as well as his ability to run the offense.

Namisse Musonge, Hoosac - Transferring into Hoosac from Pennsylvania, Musonge brings a good blend of size and skill as a 6'5" wing. He's got tons of length to impact the game defensively, makes tough shots inside and keeps defenders off balance with his handle.

Brady Lynch, East Hampton - Lynch has had a pretty successful high school career at East Hampton (CT). He's got size at the guard spot, uses his body well when attacking the basket, and does a good job of positioning himself for rebounds.

Jason Mahon, Enfield - One of Northern Connecticut's most electric scoring guards, Jason Mahon has made quite a mark in the CIAC. Entering his senior year, he looks to build on his big junior season. Mahon is a sniper from outside with shotmaking versatility, a quick release, and a tight handle.

Daniel Haire, Hoosac - Another high-academic senior guard who participated in the event, Haire's got a well-rounded game. He's very quick, anticipating well on defense to force turnovers an get out in transition. His finishing stands out as he's able to do so with either hand, and shoots it well from outside.

Jonathan Ramos, Central (RI) - A native of Providence, Ramos put on a solid showing. He's a patient attacker, waiting for a lane to open up before attacking the cup and finishing. On three's, he showed some strong outside shooting off the catch.

Sarp Oskan, New Hampton - High Academic's should check out this Turkish wing prospect as he joins the New Hampton School. He's got a stockier frame which he uses well to drive to the basket and bully his way through defenders. His decision making is making strides and he's got upside at 6'4".

Carter Bown, Hoosac - Bown played well on and off the ball at the guard spot in his game sets. His outside shooting prowess is eyecatching as he thrives in the corner and above the break.

Nolan Ryczek, Longmeadow - Ryczek plays a sound game at the guard spot, able to make an impact at different levels. He's got toughness to him and takes contact well on drives to the basket. He enters his senior season at Longmeadow High School this year.

Rory O’Flynn, Darrow - The Irish native thrives as a standstill shooter from outside with a pretty quick and compact release. He's got some touch to his floaters when he gets in the lane, and shields the ball from defenders when handling it.