NEBL Regular Season Finale: Top Performers

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.

While there were countless elite prospects in the NEBL, here are six players who really caught our eye with their individual showings in the regular season finale:

Photo: @evapearsonphotography

Kamai Samuels, 6’2, PG, Putnam Science Academy (Conn.), 2026

For a player who is still fighting for a scholarship, there wasn’t more that Kamai Samuels could do than he did with his play at the NEBL Season Finale. The Canadian playmaker posted games of 20 points, nine assists in Saturday’s victory over Cushing and 17 points, seven rebounds in the finale W over Newman. The extremely confident guard was near impossible to stop when he got going downhill with his right hand, applied pressure to the defense anytime he had the ball, and showed he could make plays for others. Having already played with Canada’s national team at the youth level, the Montreal product brings a wealth of experience to whatever D-1 programs he ultimately lands at.

Louis O’Keefe, 6’3, PG, Newman School (Mass.), 2026

A player I was not familiar with going into the event, I walked out of The NEBL wishing that I had seen Louis O’Keefe earlier in his high school career. The scrappy lead guard is a creative finisher in the paint, can shoot it from deep, and had his head on a swivel to find open shooters scattered around the perimeter. The Garner Road AAU product is heading to Princeton next year, where his cerebral style of play should allow him to see some minutes right away.

Great atmosphere in Boston at @thetrackatnb for hyped @PSAhoops (CT) vs @Newman_Hoops (MA) at #TheNEBL that is absolutely loaded with D-1 talent. pic.twitter.com/w2j2qG5GCR

— Rodger Bohn (@rodgerbohn) February 1, 2026

Favour Nkemka, 6’9, C, Putnam Science Academy (Mass.), 2026

While Maryland-bound Adama Tambedou gets the bulk off the attention in the frontcourt, it was Favour Nkemka who stole the show for PSA over the weekend at the NEBL. The powerfully built senior played with a motor that never stopped, rebounded the ball outside of his area, and showed the ability to convert through contact in the paint. The no nonsense big holds D-1 offers, but is still listening to all suitors where he could contribute as an interior presence.

Quinn Costello, 6’11 SF/PF, Newman School (Mass.), 2026

The highest ranked player in the NEBL showed the tantalizing skills that have made him a five star prospect, despite Newman’s loss to PSA in the event’s finale. The jumbo sized perimeter oriented forward moved around the floor like a guard, relocated to open areas to get his near unblockable 3-point shot off, and showcased his athleticism with a heady backdoor cut/dunk. His ascension from unranked prospect to McDonald’s All-American started with his MVP performance at the Pangos All-American Camp and does not appear to be stopping by the time he steps foot on campus at Michigan.

TJ Allen, 6’1, Darrow School (NY), 2028

The best penetrator that we saw early on, TJ Allen got into the paint on anyone that was in front of him. The shifty guard was elite with his change of pace, used his shoulders to create separation once he got in the lane, and brought a vast package of creative takes at the rim. Already having scored 1,000 points in his high school career, Allen will be one to watch on the Adidas 3SSB circuit with BABC.

Ryan Moesch, 6’1, PG Cushing Academy (Mass.), 2026

The highest ranked recruit in Siena history, Ryan Moesch showed everyone in Boston why there is so much anticipation for his arrival in Loudonville, New York. The lefty got to the paint at will, was exceptionally patient when it came to decision making, and created passing angles to find the open man. The experience that Moesch has gained in both the NEPSAC and with Middlesex Magic in the UAA should prepare him to help right away as a facilitator at Siena.