Upstate NY Prep Standouts

Chad Boyles | Monday, February 23rd, 2026

Before getting to sectional previews, I felt it was appropriate to outline some big names from Upstate’s prep school market.  The featured programs have consistently produced college talent, and while New York is primarily dominated by the public high school scene, the following programs continue to work diligently in providing great players great platforms.  In this article we will feature three names from 5 schools each from Upstate New York’s prep representatives.

Albany Academy:

Logan Rodriguez ‘27

We’ve covered some of the Academy guys in our previous Upstate articles.  The big name to know from this talented group other than Yale commit Jack Louridas is 6’8” forward Logan Rodriguez.  Rodriguez is a strong, physical presence with the explosiveness to finish on the break after putting the ball on the floor, or back you down on the block.  He finishes over defenders inside, but also displays a sharp midrange game with the ability to face-up and shoot over.  He’s got real versatility - while his physical traits are sound for the next level he is also a reliable shooter from distance.  Rodriguez is a force, and I’ll be eager to monitor how he continues to progress for Coach Driggs and Albany Academy.

Daniel Smalls ‘27 

The 6 foot Junior guard has been used to being a centerpiece having led Niskayuna to a State Championship appearance a year ago and leaving as the school's all-time scoring leader.  He was an excellent addition to Albany Academy’s roster over the summer.  With the innate ability to get to the rim and score, Smalls is a maestro with the ball in his hands - creating looks for his team and valuing each possession. He’s got legitimate quickness and a real ability to change directions and speeds - keeping defenders honest.  I am continually impressed with his craft and touch around the rim, especially his ability to finish wide.  Smalls has an excellent touch for a guard.    

Elijah Taylor ‘27

Taylor, like Rodriguez, had been previously mentioned within our articles.  An undersized guard sure, but Taylor is a lightning bolt and does not shy away from being an aggressor on either side of the ball. Defensively, he applies pressure for 94 feet and takes every matchup regardless of position personally.  He’s strong, has great awareness, and is very steady on both ends.  Offensively, Taylor attacks, makes the right decisions, and gets his teammates touches.  He gets to his spots, especially in the midrange, and can knock it down from anywhere on the floor.  The IQ and grit define Taylor's game - coaches won’t have to question his motor.  

Darrow School:

Haisi Mayben ‘26

The former Section 2 champ and MVP has enjoyed his two years at Darrow, a heartbeat of what they aim to accomplish on both ends.  Mayben plays hard and is a weapon offensively from the guard position. He’s a tough shot maker and the type of player who will have the ball in his hands down the stretch, generating offense..  He shoots it, drives it, and finishes through contact acrobatically, consistently putting his athleticism on display.  The senior guard is flat out tough - an isolation bucket getter who will immediately find his guy defensively.  Darrow plays with a lot of pace, an identity built in having their backcourt. Earlier in February he flirted with a triple-double after getting 19, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds against CATS Academy - a statline indicative of his game.  The game prior he went for 34, 7, and 6 as Darrow toppled Vermont Academy.

TJ Allen ‘28

The other half of the intimidating backcourt at Darrow is TJ Allen, a player who’s been on the radar for some time.  The Boston native continues to remain on watchlists - recently surpassing 1,000 points for his High School career as a Sophomore.  Allen’s physical attributes stand out, a force on the ball defensively and a wrecking ball in attack.  He shines in transition and getting to the rim - is smooth on the perimeter - and like Mayben, has the athleticism and strength to finish over, around, and through bigger defenders.  He’s got the bounce, speed, and shot making ability to warrant the interest he’s received thus far.  One of if not the most tantalizing prospects when evaluating all of Upstate, if not all of the northeast.  

Nalajah Christopher ‘27

Another consistent performer for Darrow is junior Nalajah Christopher - who to date has received offers from UAlbany and New Mexico State.  Christopher has a great feel for the game - with the length and athletic ability to produce on both ends.  He moves well without the basketball and is a threat to catch and shoot or create his own look off the bounce.  Like his running mates Allen and Mayben, Christopher finishes efficiently inside, displaying craft, athleticism, and toughness.  Christopher is truly a tremendous athlete with all of the fundamental skills to impact winning basketball at the next level.  

Hoosac School:

Dusan Eric ‘26

The 6’9” Serbian Forward has produced for Hoosac all season.  He operates on the block with composure and finesse and comfortably knocks down shots from behind the arc.  Obviously the ability to shoot the ball at his level makes him versatile in any offense, but like many Europeans in the modern era- his court vision, IQ, and awareness contribute heavily towards Hoosac’s success.  He’s a good passer and will hunt and expose mismatches whether it’s for himself or his teammates.  He’s a real floor stretcher and as previously stated, can contribute in many different style offenses, but he also gets it done defensively.  He’s a big strong body with light feet, helping him guard multiple positions.  

Dimitrije Pavlovic ‘26

I’m a big fan of Pavlovic’s game.  A 6’5” true point guard who values distributing the ball and making the most of every possession.  He sees the game like a pro, makes the right reads, and is consistently setting the table for his teammates.  Given his size, he’s a lot to contain for opposing guards, while also explosive off the dribble and creative downhill.  He knocks down the three with confidence and seemingly takes a lot of pride in his work defensively, often orchestrating Hoosac’s transition opportunities.

Malone Gros ‘26

The lefty from France, like Pavlovic, is terrific with the ball in his hands.  Makes the right reads, manipulates and dissects defenses, and finds teammates.  That said, he’s a terrific scorer - can shoot on the catch but often gets his own looks operating behind screens and off the bounce.  He slashes like a true wing, and finishes with craft at the rim with either hand.  He’s got a tight handle that when combined with his speed and creativity makes him difficult to stick in front of.  Super poised in the midrange too - and at 6’3” with his wingspan, he’s either scoring over or dumping off to one of his bigs.  

Mekeel Christian:

Nykim Taylor ‘26

The unsigned senior is the leader of this young and talented group at Mekeel Christian.  Taylor is strong, shifty, and possesses the ability to create good looks for himself and others.  The explosive guard excels at getting to his spots downhill, and said explosiveness allows him to finish effectively through and around contact.  As a primary ball handler, he sets the tone for his team offensively, distributes, and limits turnovers.  He’s got a number of impressive statlines, including a 39 point performance against Darrow in December.

Charles Gadsden ‘27

Having seen Gadsden at a number of events over the past couple of seasons, I am impressed with his continued development - he’s still just a junior.  Gadsden - 6’4” - plays with a high motor and appears to take a lot of pride in playing defense.  He has great length, is sharp in attacking gaps, and uses an array of crafty finishes when attacking with either hand.  The southpaw wing can knock down the three, and like Taylor, is a talented passer.  He’s certainly a versatile player who will continue to grow his role for Coach Bowman at Mekeel.

Michael & Brian Ezeamama ‘28

The 6’7” Ezeamama brothers are certainly two of the Capital Region’s polarizing prospects.  With their size, length, and athleticism - both have all of the tools to be paint beasts as they continue to age and add strength.  That said, the underclassmen have great poise and a general feel for the game, sound footwork, and awesome awareness and timing - evident through a number of their put-back dunks this season.  Both are forces on the glass, often comfortably eclipsing double digit rebounds each.  I’ll be eager to monitor their development as the next terrific 1-2 punch at Mekeel.

Redemption Christian:

Jaiden Holloman ‘26

Holloman has been a consistent contributor at RCA since his arrival.  Now a senior, he’s got the keys to the ship alongside Rutgers commit Imahri Wooten.  What Holloman lacks in height he makes up for in his toughness, grit, and ability to do just about everything else.  He’s a proven scorer, with the speed and quickness to blow by defenders or create space for his own looks from distance.  He plays hard every possession, and never lacks attentiveness on either end.  I’ve really enjoyed his progression as a true point option since his days at Bishop Ludden.  He sets his teammates up nicely, and is always looking to get the others involved.

Brenden Jordan ‘28

Jordan is one of Holloman's consistent outlets, and was previously featured in our upstate 2028 watchlist.  I am most impressed with the 6’7” sophomores awareness and footwork.  He’s smooth down low and anything but one dimensional.  He’s got great timing around the rim, helping RCA’s second chance point total - and really takes his time to create space when catching under the rim or in the short corner.  What really makes him a prospect is the promise he shows from behind the arc.  He has a number of 20+ point performances on the year in large part due to his ability to knock down good looks from the perimeter.  He’s impactful defensively as well - a true rim protector with the size and length to alter opposing looks at the basket.

Jaaziah O’Brien ‘26

A 6’4” senior from Toronto, O’Brien has been steady for RCA all season, especially as an above the rim threat.  He attacks with intent, and has shown great skill at finishing from all angles.  A special athlete, O’Brien provides his guards with an outlet in transition, in which he’s at his best - one on one downhill.  His awareness shines off the ball, slashing constantly or finding the gaps for his teammates to provide him with a good look from three.  This is O'Brien's lone season at RCA - and he’s worked tirelessly in developing into a college-ready wing.