NEPSAC Transfers Pt. 1
Making the jump to the NEPSAC requires commitment to your game, regardless of level.
Six new players to the area, in addition to six players from the New England area making the transition to NEPSAC basketball must make subtle to notable improvements to become college ready. All 12 players have extremely solid to elite skill sets, but must improve in one or two aspects to take their game to the college level.
The list of prospects includes Jerry Johnson, Alex Hamblet, Alonzo Archbold, Landon Green, Zion Williams, and Grant Mordini. Mostly repeat juniors and postgraduate players, this injection of talent to NEPSAC Class A continues to excite fellow students and alumni alike, as most—if not all—of these athletes will continue to excel with their studies.
Jerry Johnson is a newcomer to the area, but in basketball lingo, the incoming junior can really “go”, captivating audiences with show-stopping dunks and crafty finishes around the rim.
Johnson will join Coach Ben Farmer’s Williston Northampton Squad and will impact winning by providing his athleticism; he must continue to develop a midrange pull up game with one or two dribbles in addition to working on his off-ball movements.
Coach Farmer emphasizes the importance of off-ball movement, often mentioning the 95% rule, which states you do not have the ball 95% of the time, so what are your plans without the rock? Jerry will be an integral piece of next year’s roster, providing some explosion for the Wildcat Offense at 6’4”.
Alex Hamblet is a 6’8” wing who played up for Team Rampage’s 17u squad, part of the New Balance emerging circuit.
Hamblet will join an Exeter team following the departure of senior Ryder Frost. Hamblet can attempt to fill the shoes of the current Notre Dame guard by developing post moves further, especially working off the glide stop or “1-2” footwork, aka the outside inside step.
Hamblet will serve new Exeter head coach Harry Rafferty with his stellar, college-ready three-point catch and shoot game and ability to play at his own pace.
Alonzo Archbold is an emerging star as a new 2027 for Joe Busacca’s brigade.
At Hotchkiss, Archbold must bring his scoring-at-will mentality, already seen at the NEPSAC showcase, and willingness to challenge balls at the rim, in addition to a high motor. Archbold moves very well, but must show to college coaches he can work off a few dribbles; improvement in scoring efficiency will be key for Archbold’s budding career.
At 6’8” and 205 pounds, Archbold poses a blatant threat for offense and defense alike—watch out, NEPSAC!
Landon Geren will continue to bring his three-point repertoire to the Wild Boars under Coach Dawson. The 6’6” player moves well off the ball and runs well in transition. Geren will fit right in for Choate because of his height release point, potentially replacing recently departed Yale big man Jack Sullivan.
Geren must work on his cutting and playing under increased pressure on offense to succeed in Coach Dawson’s system. Geren is a post-graduate in the class of 2026.
Zion Williams, not Williamson, is a post-graduate big who appreciates corner threes. Williams must show poise for his catch-and-shoot game under constant scrutiny as a marked catch-and-shoot guy; we will see if Zion’s shooting is a glitch in the system. Zion Williams is headed up to Massachusetts to play for Coach Ivory and attend Andover.
Refreshing about Williams’ game, clear in his highlight tapes, is his ability to matriculate to open passing lanes, moving impeccably off the ball. Many great shooters may have their bread and butter be standstill three-pointers, but elite shooters can move with the ball; this characteristic of his game is college-ready. Williams must prove himself as a chronic hustler and diver for loose balls to differentiate himself in addition to his shooting skills.
Grant Mordini is a 6’10” player originally from Lake Forest, Illinois, coming from a very fundamental, set-based system at Lake Forest High School, Mordini will attend Avon Old Farms for a post-graduate year.
His seemingly one-dimensional game will inherently expand because of increased opportunity on offense. Showing considerable improvement from the beginning of last year’s high school season, his post game and ability to throw down lobs will be a stabilizing factor for Coach Mihalich’s team.
Mordini must work on his passing game to secure the minutes he desires and continue to develop a three-point shot to diversify his scoring options.
Jack Sullivan
Ryder Frost