Rankings Update: New England's 2026 Newcomers - Prep Hoops (2024)

Williams, who had a solid spring on the travel circuit with Expressions Elite, will head to CATS Academy in the fall after winning an MIAA state championship at Charlestown. Versatility is his calling card as the big combo-forward has a nice combination of positional size, skill, feel for the game, and athleticism. He has the physical profile and athletic gifts to be a defensive stopper; already popping as an exceptional on-ball defender and high level weakside shot blocker. Offensively, he has stretched his game to the perimeter and while he still excels as a finisher around the rim, he’s proven capable of attacking bad closeouts and making good decisions off the bounce. He’s a definite scholarship prospect and has already heard from Bryant, Chicago State, and UMBC.

Smith, the top prospect in the MPA (Maine) this season, will reclassify and head to Kimball Union Academy in the fall. He’s had a solid spring on the travel circuit playing for the New England Storm and after a brief adjustment period, has adjusted nicely to the higher level of play. He’s a true big man that has started to show signs of floor spacing potential, but currently excels in the paint. He has a big catch radius, soft hands, and does a nice job of keeping the ball high on his catches. Defensively, he does a good job of moving his feet, rebounds in and out of his area, and is a strong rim protector. He has scholarship level physical tools and should only benefit from two years of high level competition in the NEPSAC.

Moesch, a heady lead guard, makes his first appearance in the New England rankings after announcing that he will reclassify and attend Cushing Academy. A true lead guard, he does a great job of control pace while making good decisions with the ball in his hands. He’s crafty off the bounce, shifty in tight spaces, and does a good job of changing speeds. A high level passer who makes good reads in ball screen actions, he’s also a lights out shooter from behind the arc. His competitiveness and positional size allow him to be a solid defender and he shows signs of being able to guard up a position at the next level. He’s a scholarship level prospect with early interest from Fairleigh Dickinson, Lafayette, and Northern Kentucky.

Walker, a hybrid forward that plays for RI Elite, makes his way back to New England with a transfer to the Brooks School. He has some versatile tools on the offensive end of the floor, including an improved outside shot and strong cutting instincts off the ball. He’s a good finisher with either hand around the rim and does a good job of tracking and pursuing offensive rebounds. Defensively, he makes good reads from the back line and is disruptive in passing lanes. He can guard in the post with his strength, but also has the lateral mobility to defend on the perimeter. He’ll be an interesting prospect to track over the next year and could eventually land on the radar of scholarship programs.

Payne, a big guard that plays for Team Sims, recently announced his decisions to reclassify and transfer to Tabor Academy. An impressive vertical athlete, he’s a handful in transition when he can get downhill and attack the rim. He’s a three level scorer that show signs that he could be a secondary ball-handler and decision maker down the road. He’s a terrific finisher, showing the ability to finish through contact with either hand. Most impressively, he can really shoot the ball and is particularly effective when he gets his feet set early. His physical gifts allow him to guard up and down a position on the defensive end where he’s a strong rebounder for his position and does a good job of keeping the ball in front of him. A higher level of competition should be good for him, and I’d expect that he’ll eventually play his way onto the radar of scholarship level programs.