Having spent the bulk of the scholastic season covering prep schools in leagues such as the EYBL Scholastic, Grind Session, and Overtime Elite, I decided to switch things up a bit. Making the trek to the Northeast for some college games, I opted to take in some of the more traditional prep schools that the nation has to offer. These aren’t necessarily the ones that are producing NBA players every year. These are the true college preparatory schools. You know, the ones that have future Presidents of the United States come out of, and fortune 500 CEO’s or International dignitaries send their children to.
Enter the New England Basketball League.
Held at the state of the art Track at New Balance, the NEBL is comprised of a number of traditional Northeast powers who have another league to compete in, in addition to their NEPSAC schedule. Brimmer & May School (Mass.), CATS Academy Boston (Mass.), Cushing Academy (Mass.), Darrow School (NY), New Hampton School (N.H.), Newman School National (Mass.), Putnam Science Academy (Conn.), and South Kent School (Conn.) composed the eight-team league that was competitive in virtually every game played.
We took in the final weekend of the regular season that saw Putnam Science Academy crowned the regular season champs. The victories are short lived, however, as the NEBL Playoffs start this upcoming weekend in Boston.
With the NEBL being a senior and post grad laden league, there are plenty of players who are physically ready to contribute immediately at the college level in the 2026 class and we took a look at a number of them yesterday. However, the 2027 class brought no shortage of D-1 prospects who still fall a little under the radar amongst the rankings, but D-1 coaches have already taken notice.
Here are some of the best juniors that the NEBL had to offer:
Photo Courtesy of Cushing Academy
Theo Edema, 7’0, C, Cushing Academy (Mass.), 2027
An absolute physical monster, Theo Edema changed the game with his sheer size and strength in a win over CATS (Mass.) post grad team. The powerful junior was an absolute wall defensively, controlled his area on the glass, and flourished finishing at the rim with contact. The four star prospect already holds countless high major offers and will continue to gain more attention as his offensive game develops.
Stefon Merritt, 6’3, PG/SG, New Hampton School (NH), 2027
Capable of playing either backcourt spot with equal efficiency, Stefon Merritt was the best combo guard that we saw, regardless of class, at the NEBL. The junior was great once he got going downhill, sought out contact whenever he got in the paint, and really distributed the rock to open teammates with either hand. Merritt has numerous mid-major programs vying for his services and will have the opportunity to take his recruitment to new heights in his final go around in the EYBL.
Jalen Taggart, 6’3, SG, Putnam Science Academy (Conn.), 2027
There wasn’t a player with more range in Boston than Jalen Taggart. A guard who can routinely shoot the ball out to 27 feet, he is the epitome of a floor spacer that must be guarded wherever he is on the floor and opens the game up for his teammates because of that. The constant threat that Jalen is anytime that he is on the hardwood as a floor spacer will make him one of the more interesting shooters to watch in the EYBL for the 2027 class with City Rocks.
Anthony Vick, 6’4, SG, Cushing Academy (Mass.), 2027
The best junior shooter that we saw with feet set in the NEBL was certainly Anthony Vick, a two guard out of Cushing Academy. The sniper did a great job of getting his feet set to quickly get into his shot, showed nice footwork shooting on the move, and had a high enough release to get his shot off in tight spaces. Already holding D-1 offers, Vick should add countless more with shooting being such a premium when he’s on the Pro 16 circuit with Team New England.
Preston Bollin, 6’6, SF, Newman School (Mass.), 2027
The younger Bollin brother may not have taken the most shots, but made his impact felt in a variety of ways for Newman at the NEBL. Able to play inside and out, Bollin offered defensive versatility, shot the ball well from deep, and can beat you with straight line drives. Having won MVP of Newman’s win over Florida power Southeastern Prep, Bollin looks to carry over that momentum to the Under Armour Association with Middlesex Magic.
Elliot Erickson, 6’6, SF, Cushing Academy (Mass.), 2027
Another player I wasn’t familiar with, Elliot Erickson did a little bit of everything from either forward spot for Cushing Academy. The bullish junior utilized his strength on the defensive end, finished through contact in the paint, and showed the ability to hit the three ball. The inside-out versatility that Erickson offers will make him a nice D-1 prospect down the road.
Nate Blenman, 6’9, C, Cushing Academy (Mass.), 2027
A new age center, Nate Blenman showed a skill set you don’t see out of most players his stature. The space eater is remarkably coordinated for a big, has a feathery touch shooting it from deep, and has more vertical pop off the floor that you’d expect. Already owning mid major offers, Blenman will assuredly gain more with Team New England on the Puma Pro 16 circuit.
Editor’s Pick
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