Where are they now? 2009 Junior Elite 75 Showcase III
Guards with the talent and potential to be stars down the road
Demetri Lewis - Tough floor-leader graduated from Charlestown HS in 2014. Current hoop whereabouts unknown. FIRST LOOK: "Lewis showed arguably better leadership ability than any other player as he was vocal with his teammates, constantly working, and tremendously unselfish. He’s also a uniquely talented playmaker with a terrific feel for the game."
Johnnie Vassar - Bounced around after leaving New England after his freshman year before ending up at Northwestern; from where he announced his intention to transfer following the 2014-15 season yet was still at the school this past fall as strictly a student? We'll see where he lands but you got to think he's got a lot of basketball left to play. FIRST-LOOK: "Vassar is a super smooth and composed lead guard who can score with his patented pull-up jumper or by breaking his man down off the dribble. He’ll also make the defense pay for watching him as he has great floor vision and passing ability to match."
Jonathan Joseph - The former floor general for Brockton HS, the Tilton School, and BABC is currently a sophomore guard at Gillette College (JUCO) in Wyoming.
Juwan Gooding - Former Milton HS guard was one of the top junior elite guards Boston has seen in the 21st Century; not sure on his whereabouts, but got to think the C/O 2015 southpaw has further playing days ahead. FIRST LOOK: "Joseph and Gooding were the top 6th graders at the event. Both are incredible and already complete packages offensively who can shoot it from deep, drive it to the rim, and finish against contact."
Aaron Calixte - Currently having a terrific season as the starting point guard for the University of Maine in the America East Conference after a distinguised prep career at Lee Academy via Stoughton HS + a summer-circuit career for the New England Playaz. FIRST LOOK: "Has all the physical tools with great athleticism, quickness, and a tremendous first step. His dribble penetration was the key to his success as he could create shots for himself and his teammates at virtually anytime."
Charles Correa - The former St. Raphael's (RI) star is currently a sophomore averaging 17 points at Dean College. FIRST LOOK: "Speaking of guys that can do it all offensively, Charles Correa certainly fits into that category as he is great with the ball in his hands showing a tight handle, a dependable jump shot, and a gear beyond most others."
Justin McDonald & Colin Richey (currently a sophomore guard at St. Michaels in the Northeast 10 after prepping at Choate Academy and playing on the summer-circuit wth the Blackstone Valley Chaos. - FIRST LOOK: "McDonald and Richey are two guys that stood out from the competition by being exceptionally well schooled in the game, showing both a tremendous fundamental base and also fantastic basketball I.Q.’s."
Cornelius Tyson - Former Springfield Central HS star played a year at Holyoke Community College; not sure where he's at now. FIRST LOOK: "A big point guard and playmaking extraordinaire. He seemingly has eyes all around his head and can do things with the ball that most others his age wouldn’t even dream of."
Tyler Rowe - Graduated from the Taft School via Windsor HS (CT) and is now a freshman guard at Connecticut College. FIRST LOOK: "The little guy proved good things come in small packages as he dazzled the crowd with his prowess off the dribble."
The Best of the Rest
Jackson Donahue – Currently starting in the back-court as a freshman for the Penn Quakers in the IVY League after a prepping at Northfield Mount Hermon and plaing on the summer circuit with the Middlesex Magic. FIRST LOOK: "A great passer, shooter, and playmaker who has all the makings of a very efficient and effective guard."
Jalen Adams – Currently starting in the back-court as a freshman for the UCONN Huskies after a prep career at Brewster Academy via Cushing Academy via Melrose HS and a summer-circuit career witht he Mass Rivals. FIRST LOOK: "The young guard looked like a young Allen Iverson, keeping his dribble while weaving in and out of defenders on his way to the rim. He even had the arm sleeve to match the NBA star."
A.J. Maestas – Not sure where the former Tabor Academy guard is at. Always enjoyed his feel for the game. FIRST LOOK: "A true stopper on the defensive end and a valuable contributor offensively with his ability to get to the rim and finish against bigger players. Considering the 7th grader is 5’8” with size 13 shoes, his best days are certainly ahead of him."
Peter Bocchino – Former Governors Academy guard is now an infielder on the baseball team at Plymouth State. FIRST LOOK: "A 5’0” guard Bocchino surprised some people early, but by the end of the day everyone knew who he was as he made shots from deep, showed great footwork, and a deceptive ability to attack off the dribble."
Juan Velez – Cold Case. FIRST LOOK: "A pure point guard, Velez already understands how to make those around him better with his terrific court vision and passing ability."
Ryan Perron – Former star-guard at North Attleboro HS was a freshman quarterback this fall at Keene State. FIRST LOOK: "Exceptionally skilled for a middle school player, Perron has already perfected his shot fake into a one-dribble pull-up. His game also features outstanding perimeter footwork."
Dizel Wright – Currently a sophomore at Keene State in NH. FIRST LOOK: "A point guard who is always in attack mode, Wright is virtually impossible to keep out of the lane."
Jaylen Blakely – Super-quick point guard was a four-year starter at Brockton High School and then played some at Massasoit Community College. FIRST LOOK: "Has a picture perfect release to his jumper, but is equally effective slashing to the basket which makes him a super dangerous scoring guard."
Tom Hunt – Current New Haven sophomore sharp-shooter had a nice career at St. Andrews before moving on the A-10. FIRST LOOK: "The Smithfield, Rhode Island native is a pure shooter who can stroke the ball from virtually anywhere inside of 25 feet."
Brian Mukasa 1,000-point scorer at Sharon HS did a post-grad year before landing at Post University; where he's currently listed a member of the Track Team. FIRST LOOK: Recognized as a skill-station standout.
Avalon McLaren - Was a back-court standout at Boston Trinity Prep alongside Nisre Zouzoua and Trevon Betts. Not sure where he's at now. FIRST LOOK: Recognized as a skill-station standout.
Connor Costello – Nobles & Greenough grad is now a junior forward having a solid season at Salve Regina. FIRST LOOK: "An extremely hard-working you guard with a good feel for the game and a well rounded skill set."
Matt Swalboski – Played at Newton South HS. FIRST LOOK: "A great spot up shooter, Swalboski is a point guard who can also handle the ball and run a team."
Reynaldo Perez – Cold Case. FIRST LOOK: "A tremendous defender who blocked shots, came up with steals, and then finished plays with both hands in transition."
Adam Ek – Cold Case. FIRST LOOK: "A guard who caught our eye with his great decision making, Ek looks like a future floor general for some lucky program in Maine."
Connor Deegan – C/O 2014 guard was a multi-year starter at Weymouth HS and a standout for the Prodigy AAU Program. Played at Worcester State his freshman year but not with the squuad this season. FIRST LOOK: "An impressive spot up shooter, especially in transition, he also impressed with his ability to handle the ball."
Steven Rowe – Cold Case. FIRST LOOK: "A confident guard who is always under control and also has a nice stroke from the perimeter."
Patrick Benzan – Currently a freshman guard at Holy Crosss after a post-grad year at Worcester Academy via Roxbury Latin and a summer circuit tenure with the Mass Rivals. FIRST LOOK: "Was doing his best work off the dribble as he handled in traffic without a problem and made some great passes off the bounce as well."
Michael Barrettt - Cold Case. – FIRST LOOK: "We don’t know it for sure but we would bet he is a coach’s son because of his solid fundamental base and good understanding of the game."
Shane Farley – Currently a sophomore guard at WPI after a formidable multi-sport scholastic career at Burlington High School. FIRST LOOK: "A true combo guard, Farley can be effective both running the team from the point or serving as more of a scorer at the two-guard position."
Zaman Kalilou – Graduated from Windsor High in 2013. Not sure where he's at now. FIRST LOOK: "A big time shot maker who can also make the defense pay for running at them on close-outs."
Kyle Howes – Currently having a solid season in the back-court at Merrimack College after a nice career at Lawrence Academy. FIRST LOOK: "He has a high skill level for a young player including one of the best one-dribble pull-ups of anyone in the field."
Alexander Pacitti – Currently a mid-fielder for the Lacrosse Team at St. Anselm after a nice multi-sport career at Foxboro HS. FIRST LOOK: "A well rounded player who should an ability to make impact in a number of different ways while letting the game come to him."
Nathan Clarke – Currently a junior guard at Plymouth State after playing his high school ball at Reading HS. FIRST LOOK: "An aggressive defender who forced the other team into turnovers and then was productive in the subsequent offensive possession."
Nick Koeppel – Made a splash in his tenure in the back-court at Oliver Ames HS. FIRST LOOK: "Very proficient at getting to the rim by changing speeds off the dribble, also has a ton of intangibles with his hard working approach and willingness to dive on the floor."
Patrick Kelly – FIRST LOOK: "A skilled point guard with a great one dribble pull-up, he also passes well and defends well away from the ball."
Sean Ryan-Kut – Played at Hoosac Valley HS in Western Mass. FIRST LOOK: "A little guy with a lethal jump shot, Ryan-Kut made the defense pay every time they left him open."
Marcus Middleton – 1,000-point scorer at Stoughton High School was a freshman guard at WPI last season but is not with the squad this year. We'll see if he resurfaces on the hardwood. FIRST LOOK: "Typically a point guard, Middleton played primarily off the ball today and consequently showed he could score, especially in transition."
Kareem Davis Jr. – Currently averaging 10 points as a freshman for Becker College after a scholastic career at St. John's Prep. FIRST LOOK: "Just a 6th grader, Davis has game beyond his years as he more than held his own against kids often times two years older."
Brendan Hill – Currently a tight-end at UNH after a injury-ridden yet star-studded multi-sport career at Mansfield HS and made a lasting impression on the summer circuit with BABC. FIRST LOOK: "Another 6th grader who really impressed with his dribble pull-up and moves off the catch in the rip through series."
Duncan D'hemecour – Was a tremendous two-sport athlete at Danvers High School over the past few years. FIRST LOOK: "Nice player who made the most of his scoring opportunities and showed nice overall game."
Michael Algieri – Currently a freshman guard at Wheaton College after a notable high school back-court tenure at Reading HS. FIRST LOOK: "He can score the ball when necessary but shows signs of being a true pass-first, shoot-second type of floor general."
Zack Holler – Had a nice career at Exeter High School in NH. FIRST LOOK: "The little guy made shots from the perimeter and also showed great intangibles playing very hard throughout the day."
Justin Stewart – Committed to Clarke last March out of the state-champion Putnam High School in Springfield. FIRST LOOK: "Just a 6th grader, Stewart is a young point guard who already possesses a good understanding of the game."
Sean Morris – Played at the Brunswick School in CT. FIRST LOOK: "He combines a sharp intellect for the game with a good looking shooting stroke from the perimeter."
Brendin Woodard – Currently a sophomore guard at Regis College after a scholastic career in Western Mass at Mahar HS. FIRST LOOK: "The mid-range game is a lost art, but not to Woodard, who excelled with his mid-range jumper all day long."