When Kimball Union coach Cory McClure looks over his roster for the upcoming season, one thing stands out: Maturity.
Three of the Wildcats’ best players – Brandon Arnold, Merrick Smith and transfer Hudson Scroggins – are already committed to Division 1 schools, and each of them have the confidence to know they’re good enough for their level and don’t have to worry about their futures. McClure boasts six players in the 2026 class and two more incoming 2027 recruits who have international experience.
“I do love the upside of this group because I think, collectively, this is a super coachable team,” McClure said.
KUA emerged as the No. 3 seed in a packed NEPSAC Class AA race last season before advancing to the semifinals, and though the Wildcats lost two significant pieces in Christian “Mouse” Williams and Isaiah Henderson, there’s enough returning talent and exciting additions to build on that in 2025-26. If they stay healthy, even in a loaded Class AA picture, KUA should be in the mix for another top-four seed.
Here’s what to expect from the Wildcats this winter.
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Guard play will continue to be a strength
Last season, KUA had one of NEPSAC’s best backcourts with the combination of Brandon Arnold and All-NEPSAC performer Christian “Mouse” Williams, the latter of whom reclassified to 2025 and committed to Cal-State Fullerton. Arnold, who committed to Marist, is back to lead the Wildcats and the backcourt shouldn’t fall off either with the additions of Swedish guard Lennart Payne, sharpshooter Zach Romich, Bedford High (NH) transfer Jacob Bayer and Lexington High (MA) transfer Chris Lupone.
Arnold had shoulder surgery at the conclusion of his AAU season this summer and has been on the shelf; he’s expected back for the season but McClure is being cautious with his star as he keeps his future in mind. But if Arnold needs to miss any time, he feels like he’s in good hands with Payne, a 6-foot-5 lefty slashing guard from Sweden who has experience playing international basketball against older players, including twice for the Swedish national team at FIBA tournaments. McClure said there are some things he wants to refine, but the 2027 guard can play on and off the ball as a three-level, physical scorer who gets to the rim well and can set up teammates.
“(He’s) kind of caught between wanting to score and making sure that he’s keeping his team organized,” McClure said. “Same thing I went through with Brandon. (He’s) a mid-major talent.”
McClure described Bayer as a pleasant surprise as a hard-working impact player who can shoot and handle the ball, and Lupone will certainly be a rotation piece for him as a combo guard who can shoot. He’s really intrigued by Romich, a 6-foot-3 transfer from Groton-Dunstable who’s capable of lighting up the nets from 3-point range, and can run the offense if McClure needs him to. He’s receiving a wide range of interest from Division 1 to 3 schools.
“He can be a glue guy, he can be an impact guy,” McClure said. “He’s just a solid, reliable, big skilled guard with a high basketball IQ.”
Hudson Scroggins is a NEPSAC sleeper
While Payne will certainly see significant minutes and make a big impact, KUA’s most intriguing transfer might be Hudson Scroggins, a versatile 6-foot-8 forward from Lake Forest, Ill., who’s committed to Valparaiso.
A former baseball player, Scroggins is expected to make a significant two-way impact as a lefty three-level scorer who gives them even more versatility in the frontcourt. With Williams and Henderson gone, Scroggins will need to pick up the scoring slack for KUA.
“He’s the most talented guy short of ‘Mouse’ that I’ve had in my six years here,” McClure said. “Hudson’s only downfall right now is just playing — he’s such a late bloomer that I think he just has to figure out how to string consistency together. He’s 6-8, lefty, can take you off the bounce, stretching to 3 — he’s just a really really good player. With 10 added pounds of muscle, he’s going to have a nice MVC career. … He’s as talented as anybody in the league this year.”
‘Unique group’
From the backcourt to the frontcourt, McClure has a lot of skill and versatility to work with. And inside, he has one of the best bigs in the league with 6-foot-10 Merrick Smith (Belgrade, Maine), who recently committed to Maine. Smith, a double-double machine who possesses a strong motor and high-level athleticism for a big, will be taking a big step in responsibilities this year. If his performance at this summer’s NEPSAC Scholastic Showcase was any indication, he looks ready.
“Merrick was really comfortable with the group last year where he was this talented kid who can blend into the background,” McClure said. “I have to rely on him more this year. He has to be more consistent. He can’t just be a prospect for D1, he has to look like a productive guy every day.”
McClure is also excited about the addition of 6-foot-4 Max Sakerwalla-Morris, another skilled 2027 transfer from overseas who he described as a potential sleeper. He likes transfer forward Noah Limbago, who won the Occoquan Region Player of the Year in Virginia and is coming off an injury but can make a two-way impact. And don’t sleep on 2028 wing Liam Sheard, a native of Syracuse, N.Y. At 6-foot-7, he’s extremely athletic with length and is showing steady improvements.
“He’s as talented as anybody on the roster,” McClure said. “What I love about him in the early going is that he has a high capacity for work. He’s working. I have not had to get on him yet about raising his level of intensity and competitiveness. … I can see his improvement coming almost every other day. You start to see things are slowing down for him. He’s not bothered by… we do have an older group, he just turned 16. He’s coming along pretty nice right now.”
McClure is really excited about his group, one that is seasoned, mature and ready to take another leap. As long as Arnold stays healthy, the pieces are in place for another exciting winter.
“This will be a unique group,” McClure said.
