Putnam Science’s Dominant Season

Kam Hickey | Tuesday, March 4th, 2025

Putnam Science Academy is one of the best prep basketball programs in the country, touting a 34-2 record on the year. They have serious wins against nationally renowned programs such as Sunrise Christian and Link Year. Putnam also beat two great military preps in the EPL, Massanutten and Hargrave. All of these teams are packed with D1 talent and size and Putnam ran through them like a buzzsaw. They are currently on a 26 game win streak and haven’t lost since November. 

The Connecticut prep school is as deep as anybody on the prep scene. The perimeter talent is very strong with Putnam even if the size isn’t ideal. 5’10 Warren Keel (26’) is a tough junior point guard who averages 30% from 3pt on 5.5 attempts per40, 1.3 steals (1.1 pfs), and 3.4 ast (1.8 ast/to) for his career. 

6’1 Tony Williams (25’ Fairfield) is the next key guard on this team and he is a two-way threat with very smart playmaking to add. Williams averages 22.2 mins, 30% from 3pt on 4.5 attempts, 29% FTr, 3.3 ast (3.1 ast/to), 2 steals (1.6 pfs). Williams combination of enough size with plus level playmaking, defense, and solid shooting have landed him with the Fairfield Stags, where he could be able to step in and make an immediate impact.

Next to Williams and Keel is Jamell Hatchett (26'), a Michigan native who has came in and made a name for himself throughout New England already. Hatchett is a multi-faceted point guard that guards tough on-ball and can score it off the dribble with his quick burst to create space. He's gotten reported looks from numerous mid-major programs already with another year to play. 

Putnam’s slew of guards doesn’t stop there, and this may be their best perimeter prospect next. 6’3 Jaeden Roberts (26’) is a major issue for opposing defenses. Roberts is a tad out of position playing next to two other point guards but he fills the CG role so well. Jaeden’s averages in AAU this past year: 22.3 mins, 13 points, 40% from 3pt, 2.3 (2.1ast/to),1.1 points stls+blks (1.1 pfs), 35% FTr, 53% from 2pt. 

Roberts look to be a Mid-Major D1 target that could be relied upon very early, and possibly even an easy bet to dominate Low-Major for a freshman. Putnam isn’t without wings though. 6’6 Brayson Green (26’) is a good play finisher and defender. He has career averages of 56% from 2pt, 2.2 oreb, 1.7 stls+blks, and a 29% FTr. 6’5 Parrish Edmond (26') has shown immense upside as an above the rim wing that competes on defense. Sharpshooter Nico Pena ('25) and 6’5 Jamias Ferere (25’ Gardner Webb) solidifies the rest of their perimeter depth. 

Now, the strong frontcourt for the CT powerhouse. 6’11 Ben Ahmed (25’ Oklahoma St) is one of the strongest interior finishers on the New England Scene and will be in March. Ahmed has the size, finishing, rebounding, and smart enough defense to make an immediate impact when he gets to college. Ahmed averages: 19.8 mins , 11 points, 8.5 rebounds(15.4 per40), 54% from 2pt , 52% FTr, and 1.3 stls+blks (2.5 per40) (1.6 pfs). 

Putnam does not let up in the frontcourt either as they run another high-level athlete with very good finishing and defense, 6’9 Sam Osayi (25’). Osayi is a high-level college prospect who should have his pick of Mid-Major D1s and should even be able to provide depth early at the High-Major D1 levels. This past AAU season along with Jaeden Roberts for Team New England, Osayi averaged: 27.3 mins, 13.3 points, 64% from 2pt, 41.3 FTr, 12 rebs, 2.2 stls+blks (2.4 pfs). 

6’8 Adama Tambedou (26’) has started to come on as of late, a prospect who gained a ton of notoriety in the fall open gym season. Tambedou has glaring size to go along with his athleticism and ability to get in the air around the basket. He has tremendous defensive upside which has shined recently as he meets shots off the release, and can crowd the ball to force steals.

They round out the big man rotation with 6’10 Abdou Yadd (25’). Yadd another solid piece that can step in and make an immediate impact as both a lob threat and defensive presence: He averaged: 18.5 mins, 55% from 2pt 1.2 stls+blks. 

Dominating all season, Putnam will be prepared to put that to the side and come in with a fresh mindset, but it’s so hard to see them not being favorites to win it all this year. This team has tough guard play that has defense and passing. Then they have D1 size, finishing, and defense. Teams would have to stop way too much at once while also winning the depth battle when they play Putnam, who has been known for being able to rotate “hockey lines”. That’s a lot of odds to beat.

This program has competed for and won multiple national championships, with this year's group proving to be one of the most dominant in America. As long as Putnam shoots, rebounds and defends, and makes smart plays they have a chance to keep their run moving in their favor.