STOUGHTON, Mass. — The Zero Gravity Prep Classic attracted many of the best committed players from New England. Top recruits like Alex Egbuonu, Quinn Costello and Ryan Moesch were among those who competed.
But for even more uncommitted recruits around the region, the event gave them a stage to make a big impression.
Coaches from every level of college basketball – from high-major Division 1 to Division 3 – were in attendance for the three-day event. It’s an interesting time for uncommitted prospects in the era of the NCAA transfer portal, and many might not see their recruitment pick up until later into the winter and spring, but plenty of them made great pitches on the court that could benefit them down the line.
Here are eight uncommitted recruits in the 2026 class who shined at this year’s Prep Classic.
PREP CLASSIC: 10 takeaways from the marquee boys prep event
Ramere Brown, St. Andrew’s
6-2 guard
Hometown: Albany, N.Y.
With several coaches sticking around, Brown put on an offensive show in the final game of the event on Sunday night, putting up 17 points and eight assists in a win over St. Mark’s. Brown hit three 3-pointers and he had it working from the mid-range. St. Andrew’s head coach Mike Hart believes Brown is a Division 1 talent who’s coming into his own as a high-level point guard. Sunday’s performance should go a long way in his recruitment.
Miles Clanton, Phillips Academy Andover
6-6 guard/forward
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
In an impressive opening week for Andover, Clanton was one of several consistent standouts for the Big Blue. Is he a guard? Clanton showed more than capable of handling the ball with skill and confidence in transition, and he was reliable shooting from the mid-range and capable out to 3. Is he a forward? Clanton has a big body who can hang with the trees inside, get rebounds and finished through contact and from tough angles underneath. There’s a lot to like about Clanton’s game. I can, at the least, see him being a great fit in Division 3, but could certainly play his way into a high-academic Division 1 this winter.
Brayden Harris, MacDuffie
6-5 wing
Hometown: San Jose, Calif.
Through the early portion of the season, I’m not sure if there have been better shooters than Harris, who went off again for 30 points on 7-for-10 shooting from 3-point range in MacDuffie’s 77-71 win over Lawrence Academy. Harris made several triples off the dribble, and he had a serious heat check in the second half, when he made three treys in the span of a couple minutes to give MacDuffie a sizable lead. I won’t name them, but I was standing near a respected basketball figure during Harris’ barrage when they turned to a college coach and said, “Where is he going?” They were asking where Harris is committed to college, but to this point, Harris doesn’t have an offer despite Division 1 interest. If he keeps shooting like this, it should come. He’s shooting 56 percent from 3 through six games.
Windston Legentus, Brimmer & May
6-0 guard
Hometown: Raynham, Mass.
Legentus’ high-level shotmaking was once again on display in Brimmer’s huge victory over CATS Academy EYBL as he scored 27 points, including five 3-pointers, and he added several tough finishes at the rim and perfectly-timed assists. But Brimmer coach Tom Nelson has been proud of the guard’s evolution this season in other areas, including his leadership, defensive impact and two-way motor. Legentus’ recruitment hasn’t gone the way he hoped to date, but his performance Sunday could be a launching pad if he can continue to lead Brimmer to wins.
“You win big games and people are going to look at you,” Nelson said. “People like winners.”
Parris Moses, Suffield
6-3 guard
Hometown: Cambridge, Mass.
A transfer from Cambridge Rindge & Latin, Moses was Suffield’s best player in its opening weekend. He scored 26 points on six 3-pointers in the Tigers’ loss to Thayer, and he was impactful defensively, including an anticipatory steal and bucket while he was defending the opposing guard in the backcourt. Moses is a long guard with good size and a track record of success at the MIAA level; I’m excited to see what traction he can make this winter in NEPSAC.
Nafees Padgett, Bridgton
6-4 guard
Hometown: South Portland, Maine
Padgett erupted for 26 points on five 3-pointers in Bridgton’s impressive 88-82 victory over Knox, and he got hot from deep in the second half to help the Wolverines pull away. He was impactful in other areas in his big performance; he finished well through contact on a left-handed drive for a three-point play, he was a reliable ball-handler against Knox’s pressure alongside Colton Crowdis and I even saw him hustle back to take a charge in transition.
David Smith, St. Thomas More
6-3 guard
Hometown: Glastonbury, Conn.
The Chancellors don’t win Friday’s game against St. Jude’s without Smith, who collected a handful of winning plays in the final minutes. He buried two massive catch-and-shoot 3-pointers from the corner, including the go-ahead shot with two minutes remaining, and he got his hands dirty with some tough rebounds. I counted one defensive board and then two on the offensive glass, including grabbing his own miss with a minute left. Moments later, he was involved in a pivotal defensive stop, then made two free throws to put the finishing touches on the win. Smith had 16 points and five rebounds.
Devan Williams, Milton Academy
6-2 guard
Hometown: Uncasville, Conn.
No surprise here, but Williams led the Mustangs in scoring in their 2-0 opening weekend, going for 23 points vs. Governor’s and then 22 points vs. Kent. I continue to be impressed with Williams’ consistent fearlessness and competitiveness on both ends of the floor, he’s a blur with the ball in transition and he always finds a way to produce in big moments. He made back to back buckets in the final minutes to seal the victory over Kent, including a ridiculous drive when he split defenders and created space with a behind the back dribble, then made a crafty finish off the window.
Quick shouts: I didn’t see everything, but here are a few players who caught my attention and had big numbers in the box scores: Concord Academy guard Davian Diaz scored 21 points, including five 3-pointers, in a win over Brooks. … Choate guard Bryce Bennett scored 20 points with three assists and three steals in a win over Berkshire. .. Lexington Christian’s Jakari Clark had 22 points, six rebounds and six assists in a victory over Roxbury Latin, and should be a name to watch in Class B Small this season.
