Where are they now? 2009 Junior Elite 75 Showcase
The 1st-ever New England Junior Elite 75 Showcase back in April of 2009 gathered together a deep-group of top middle school talent from throughout the region. Here's a look at the original impressions and current "whereabouts" of all 27 players listed in the Big Men Recap
Jared Terrell - The kid from Weymouth won the MVP on that afternoon seven Aprils ago and went on to star for Brewster Academy via New Hampton via Weymouth HS and Expressions Elite. Ended up ranked #79 in the final ESPN C/O 2014 Top 100 Rankings. JT is now a sophomore guard averaging 13 points/game for the University of Rhode Island.
First Impression in 2009: "Terrell obviously has plenty of physical gifts including great strength and athleticism. He wowed the people gym on a couple of different occasions, first with some fierce blocked shots on the defensive end and then with explosive dunks offensively. He also showed an ability to break his man down off the dribble with his cross-over move. But more than any individual talent, what was most impressive about Terrell was how energetic and intense he was throughout the entire day."
Goodluck Okonoboh - After a prep career at Wilbraham & Monson via the Tilton School and a summer-circuit career with the Mass Rivals via BABC. Ended up ranked #26 in the final ESPN C/O 2014 Top 100 Rankings. After a strong freshman season at UNLV, GO is cat which to continue his career after announcing his transfer from UNLV earlier this winter. It is thought that Arizona State could be a potential landing-spot??
First Impression in 2009: “Perhaps no player in the gym had as much upside as 6’7” 8th grader Goodluck Okonoboh (pictured above). Okonoboh is Alex Oriakhi’s cousin and he plays a lot like the UConn bound big man as he has many of the same physical gifts along with a knack for blocking shots and finishing with dunks around the rim. He lacks any type of awkwardness that characterizes many young big kids and instead is already flying above the rim. He’s also got an infectious personality along with a terrific approach to the game that’s bound to make him a success.”
Jared Reuter - After a scholastic career at Brewster Academy via St. Marks and a summer-circuit career with the New England Playaz via the Bay State Jags Elite, Reuter is currently a 6’7” freshman forward for the #9 ranked Virginia Cavaliers.
First Impression in 2009: “Another player with the potential to be a star down the road is 6’7” 7th grader Jarred Reuter. Like Okonoboh, he not only has all the physical tools, but also appears to have the intangibles necessary to make it big, as he plays with great energy and is always communicating on the court. In terms of his game, there’s plenty to like as he’s a true inside-out threat who can impact the game in a number of ways. He’s a lethal mid-range shooter who also showed he can now score with his back to the basket. He also passed and rebounded well, finishes above the rim (as well as against contact), and had a polished skill set.”
Aaron Falzon - Went on to star at Northfield Mount Hermon via St. Marks via Newton North HS and for Expressions Elite via the New England Playaz. Ended up ranked #75 in the final ESPN C/O 2015 Top 100 Rankings. Currently a 6’8” freshman forward averaging 9 points/game in the Big 10 for Northwestern.
First Impression in 2009: “Made his presence felt on both ends of the court. Scored around the basket offensively and was a star defensively, pressuring basketball and showing an ability to guard multiple positions.”
Bonzie Colson - After a fantastic high school/prep career for St. Andrews & BABC, Colson is now a 6’6” sophomore forward at Notre Dame; currently averaging 12.5 points and 7 rebounds for the Fighting Irish.
First Impression in 2009: “A well schooled big man who made his presence felt in several different ways. He was a major presence on the glass, a consistent finisher around the rim, and even a capable shot blocker defensively.”
Chris Baldwin - Currently a 6’7” senior forward who is part of an exciting C/O 2016 Recruiting Class for the Umass Minuteman via Notre Dame Prep and the Mass Rivals via Expressions.
First Impression in 2009: “Demonstrated the rare ability to impact the game without needing to have the ball in his hands. Was a major factor defensively with his shot blocking ability against dribble penetration.”
Bobby Ahearn - Went on to star at Marshfield HS and then Marianapolis while rolling on the summer circuit with Metro Boston via BABC. Currently a 6’6” sophomore forward at Binghamton University.
First Impression in 2009: “A big and strong interior presence who can outmuscle the competition more often than not, Ahearn finishes plays inside very consistently.”
Jared Wilson-Frame - After playing scholastically at the likes of Windsor HS and Notre Dame Prep and on the summer circuit with Expressions Elite via CBC, JWF is currently a freshman averaging 13 points for Northwest Florida State College; a D1 JUCO Program out of the Sunshine State.
First Impression in 2009: “He has an explosive first step and was one of the most effective slashers in the field. Scored in high volume during the two game sets.”
Evan Hopson – After playing scholastically at Johnson HS, the Providence-Native is currently a 6’1” junior guard at Westfield State in the MASCAC.
First Impression in 2009: “A combo-forward who can score both inside and out, Hopson is a physical player and aggressive scorer. He’s got an already strong body, goes hard to the rim, and can simply overpower most kids his age.”
Andrew Cartwright - After graduating from the Tilton School, the Guilford, ME native is currently a 6’6” freshman forward at Drexel University.”
First Impression in 2009: “William’s little brother is truly ambidextrous and it shows around the rim as he has a super soft touch with either hand.”
Tyree Robinson - After a scholastic career playing T Durfee HS via Notre Dame Prep via Putnam Science, Robinson is currently a 6’4 freshman forward at Odessa College; a D1 JUCO in Texas.
First Impression in 2009: “Only a 7th grader, Robinson already has all the physical tools as he’s quick and athletic, while standing 6’2”. He’s constantly running the floor and finishes everything in transition.”
K.J. Baptiste - After playing scholastically for Brimmer & May and on the summer-circuit with BABC via the New England Playaz, Baptiste is currently a 6’6” sophomore forward at Brandeis.
First Impression in 2009: “He comes from good stock with a long list of relatives who have history in the game. Baptiste is a very well schooled big man with a good feel for the game and a nice ability to pass the ball for a big man. He scores both inside and out and is also a good rebounder.”
Kyle Lentini - After a prep career at Pingree, the North Reading (MA) native is currently a tight-end on the football team at Stonehill College.
First Impression in 2009: “Can score both inside and out but makes impact in variety of other ways including rebounding and passing, including one especially pretty long outlet pass.”
William Cartwright - The Guilford, ME native is currently a rower on the Crew Team at Drexel University.
First Impression in 2009: “The 6’6” center from Maine has great size and a nice fundamental base to his game. He showed experience beyond his years with his back to the basket as he already knows how to establish position and can score with either hand around the rim.”
Matt Costello - After a scholastic career at Bishop Fenwick High School, Costello went to Suffolk University and played as a freshman before leaving the squad this year.
First Impression in 2009: “Costello made the defense pay from a variety of spots on the floor. He’s a very accurate standstill shooter from the perimeter and also a crafty scorer on the interior."
Luis Rodriguez - Went on to become a 1000+ point-scorer at East Longmeadow High School. Current whereabouts unknown.
First Impression in 2009: “An extremely athletic combo-forward who is a tremendous leaper and big time competitor. He finished plays around the rim all day and was especially difficult to stop in transition.”
Lost but not forgotten
Brad Kimball – First Impression in 2009: “He combines plenty of natural ability with a terrific energy level to be a very effective player. A mismatch problem who can attack both inside and out, Kimball was efficient inside the paint, driving hard to the rim from the perimeter, and utilizing the jump stop as well as anyone in the field.”
Brandon Malloch – First Impression in 2009: “If the showcase awarded a defensive player of the day, Malloch would have likely won it. He did it all on the defensive end: blocking shots; coming up with steals; rotating quickly…and was equally effective in the open court after forcing the opposition into turnovers.”
Alexander Fisher – First Impression in 2009: “Fisher is a young player with good size. He’s got a bright future ahead of him once his frame fills out as he has some noticeable tools.”
Timothy Berry – First Impression in 2009: “Showed some good moves and footwork with his back to the basket and also was productive on the glass, going to the backboards aggressively.”
Brian McNeill – First Impression in 2009: “McNeill is a talented youngster who is 6’3” with long arms and obviously still growing. Look for him to make a name for himself down the road.”
Nick Patterson – First Impression in 2009: “He hasn’t filled out his frame and yet he was still blocking shots inside showing great timing on the defensive end. Offensively, he showed impressive footwork along with a soft touch.”
Kristopher Kodys – First Impression in 2009: “He didn’t back down from guys who were older, bigger, and stronger, and that was never more apparent than when he drained a three-pointer over a contesting Terrell.”
Khalid Thompson – First Impression in 2009: “A face-up four man with a very well developed perimeter skill set including a super soft stroke and great footwork in the rip through series.”
Sean Allison – First Impression in 2009: “He has two distinct advantages over the competition; he has great size on the interior, as well as an understanding of how to use it, and he’s a lefty which throws off lots of defenders.”
Duncan Sewall – First Impression in 2009: “Has a rare combination of being strong and physical as well as extremely intelligent on the interior. That gives him the potential for a bright future.”
Andrew Filthaut – First Impression in 2009: “He stood out to the coaches on staff because of the tremendous effort he put in all day long. He was a relentless worker on the glass and also a factor in transition because of how hard he ran the floor.”
The 8th annual New England Junior Elite 75 Showcase will take place on Sunday, March 13th at the Mansfield SportsPlex. For more information or to register, please click here.
Chris Baldwin