The high school and prep seasons are coming to a close across the country as college programs wait for portal season to officially begin before closing out their 2025 classes. From there, the focus will shift to the class of 2026 at the high school level in a real way. One wing currently flying under the radar is MacDuffie School (MA) swingman Julian Dent Jr. The 6-foot-6 wing transferred up to the NEPSAC AA program and has found success.
“The high school season was good. We had a new team this year, everybody was pretty much new to the NEPSAC and we went on to beat and compete with some solid teams. I had a good season finding my role on the team, knocking down threes and doing well in transition while locking up on defense. The best part may have been just competing with the best of the best being in the AA.”, Said Dent Jr.
Last Spring and Summer, Dent was one of the standouts on a scrappy Team Spartans bunch that was in the middle of the pack for most of the MADE Hoops Circuit season. While he came onto the scene as one of the more intriguing prospects, things have begun to click into place at MacDuffie.
“I feel like I improved a lot. My shot has improved so much since summer. Also my body going from weighing 160 pounds to now 180 was big, my defensive abilities improved going from just being able to guard my position to now being able to guard 1-5. This spring I’m ready to show that I can get to it at an intense level with my defensive abilities as well as my shooting abilities such as the three ball and my mid-range game.” he said.
While he returns to the MADE Hoops Circuit, it’s also a return to his home-state program, New Haven Heat.
“Yes I’m with The Heat this season, the expectations are to get the best exposure and play at a high level which, in my opinion, the best team for that is the Heat. They’re one the best teams on the MHC, emphasizing a winning culture and always playing the fiercest competition.” said Dent Jr.
A rangy and athletic wing who can slash to the basket and finishes with explosion, Dent’s improvement as a shooter can and will open the floor up for him either further, the end result is a versatile and dangerous defender who can also score when needed. He’s currently focused on two similar swingmen as players to emulate.
“I feel like in the NBA I play like Keon Ellis and in college Jaxson Robinson, they are so smooth with their defense, and shooting they’re so consistent every night, plus they can handle at a high level which I want to take away their dribbling ability,” said Dent
There’s plenty of work to be done before he hits the college ranks, but Dent’s focus is on rounding out his game and enjoying his final AAU season.
“The next step for me is being able to handle and play make at a high level and a successful MHC season is to pick up my first college offers and to win it all with the New Haven Heat,”
Keep an eye out for the Nutmeg State Native this Spring and beyond.
