Top Prospects in the RIIL

New England Recruiting Report | Tuesday, January 3rd, 2017

Rhode Island Interscholastic League play has been under way for a few weeks and already the season is off to an interesting and exciting start. Here is a look at some players to watch as we move into 2017.

Brandon Kolek, Cumberland – Fresh off a 40 point performance and an All-Tournament selection at the Cumberland/Lincoln Boys & Girls Club Holiday Tournament, Kolek is off to a fine start this season. The 6-foot-5 guard has been giving teams a steady diet of three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and nifty scoring in and around the hoop. He is complimented on a talented Cumberland team by sophomores Tyler Kolek, a three-point specialist with good court awareness, and Jackson Zancan, a 6-foot-5 forward who can play inside and outside.

DYondre Dominguez, Tolman – The six-foot-seven sophomore opened league play with a monstrous 48 point performance against Moses Brown. Dominguez spent the night splitting the defense with exciting finishes around the rim, catch and shoot three-pointers, and drawing contact and accumulating over twenty free throw attempts. Dominguez may be the best long-term prospect in the state and if he continues to assert himself like he has early in the season, and demonstrate potential turning into production, his stock will undoubtedly rise.

Justin Mazzulla, Hendricken – The George Washington commit and returning All-Stater is off to a good start for the Hawks again this season. Mazzulla’s physical tools and high motor will allow him to take over most league games this season, but his ever-improving offensive game will be on display as well. He’s one of the most truly versatile players in the state, who can stuff all columns of a stat sheet.

Aireus Raspberry, Cranston East – The crafty and talented five-foot-eleven point guard is off and running for the Bolt so far, having put up some huge numbers early in the season. The sophomore standout has a sharp-shooting senior guard in Sam Hanley on the wing this season and the duo could help propel East into solid runs in the Division I and Open State Tournament.

Trevante Jones, St. Raphael’s – The two-sport standout has helped St. Ray’s off to one of its best starts in recent years. The Saints returning All-Stater is athletic and versatile. He is joined in the backcourt by rugged and aggressive six-foot-three guard Willie Washington (returning from a torn ACL a year ago) and Peter Wilson, a senior shooter with good handle and a really nice mid-range game.

Jamari Johnson, Classical – The lengthy rim protector for the Purple has added some offensive skill to his game in the off-season. Though Johnson is more skilled and effective around the rim, he can now step out and knock down an occasional outside shot that will keep his opponents honest.

Eligible Soon - Two of Rhode Island’s top prospects haven’t even seen the court yet courtesy of RIIL transfer rules which do not permit transfers to play until halfway through the league schedule. LaSalle Academy’s Aaron Gray, a six-foot-four smooth scoring guard, will add some offensive fire power to a Rams team looking to return to the state finals. Meanwhile, the Rams’ rival, Bishop Hendricken, will add six-foot-five forward Tyrone Weeks, who should help the Hawks on the inside and on the glass.

Best of the Rest: Pedro Munoz, Central; Elijah Ramos, Wheeler; Noah Meren, Moses Brown; Nick Mueller, Hendricken; Enoch Cheeks, Mount Pleasant; Tim Holt, Wheeler; Dominic Ciringione, Chariho.