NEPSAC Showcase: Frontcourt Breakdown

June 21, 2023 by Tony McNiff

Babson College: The NEPSAC Showcase always hosts a wide collection of talent, plus you can rely on some new names & late-bloomers to emerge during this live period event. There were close to 200 college coaches in attendance on Day One and more continued to fill out the gym throughout the weekend. Read more for extensive analysis on some prospects who caught my eye.

Isaac Nyakundi 
2024 | Forward | MacDuffie School (MA)

Nyakundi popped onto my radar this weekend after he had some strong performances for MacDuffie School (MA). He’s a physical & versatile frontcourt prospect who flashed some floorspacing upside, primarily out of the pick & pop. Tough finisher at the rim who proved he could convert layups through contact or length in the lane. A high-motor rebounder who was a prominent put-back threat with his activity on the offensive glass. Not the most explosive or springy rim protector, yet he was highly assertive while using his size and build. Northern Illinois offered last summer and more programs should certainly be getting involved soon. 

Daniel Jacobsen
2025 | Big | Brewster Academy (NH) 

Jacobsen recently made the decision to reclassify and attend Brewster Academy (NH) for the upcoming season. While his massive positional size (7’1”) certainly pops at first glance, it’s clear that there’s more to his game. Mobile rim-runner who earned numerous high-percentage looks by beating opponents down the floor. Not the most explosive or physical rebounder, yet he leveraged his size & length to reel in rebounds on both ends of the floor. Showed glimpses of his floorspacing upside by stretching the floor on a few different occasions from three-point range. As he continues to bulk up his frame and sharpen his skillset, there’s undeniable upside for him to reach down the road. 

Collins Chidera
2026 | Big | Newman School (MA) 

Chidera strung together some intriguing flashes in my first live viewing over the weekend at the NEPSAC Showcase. While he’s still fairly raw at this point, the positional size (6’10”) and notable athleticism make him one to track in the Northeast. Powerful and explosive rim finisher who is loaded with aggression in the paint. An energetic rim-runner who flashed some grab & go potential after securing rebounds and pushing the ball. High-motor & physical interior force who was a relentless putback threat on the offensive glass. Impactful, springy rim protector who showed glimpses of his strong timing & instincts. The Nigeria native is a prospect to keep an eye out for in the NEPSAC and the Northeast in the coming years. 

Chike Ndefo
2024 | Forward | Vermont Academy (VT)

Ndefo is an underrated wing forward who was highly productive during Sunday’s slate of games. Dangerous grab & go threat who had his way pushing the ball in the open floor while using minimal dribbles. Proficient slasher off the wing who was an athletic & tough finisher at the rim. Flashed some touch outside the paint, although he did majority of his offensive damage on the drive. Switchable defender who has the foot speed to guard in space, plus he possesses the size & length to contest or block opponents shots in the lane. Iona is the latest to offer the New York native and he could be poised to make some more noise throughout the summer. 

CJ Happy
2024 | Big | Milton Academy (MA) 

Happy anchored the interior for Milton Academy (MA) over the weekend on both ends of the floor. He’s a fundamentally sound and physical post presence who put his advanced footwork on full display. Leveraged his strength & footwork to carve up space, plus he proved to be a powerful finisher at the rim. Happy wasn’t afraid of contact or size at the rim, in fact he embraced it if anything. His motor and toughness translated to the glass where he was highly productive rebounding the ball. Still adding more touch & polish to his game, although the productivity was certainly impressive at the NEPSAC Showcase. 

Josh Decady
2024 | Forward | Kimball Union Academy (NH)

Decady was another frontcourt prospect who jumped onto my radar throughout the weekend. Tough, physical, & high-motor athlete who affected the game in numerous facets. Demonstrated soft, strong hands when reeling in passes where he was a quick & springy finisher on the low block. Threw down a collection of dunks from drop down passes, plus he finished through contact on a few different occasions. His power, energy, and motor translated to the glass where he rebounded the ball at a notably high volume. UMBC was the latest to offer back in April, however there is a decent chance programs get involved after his productivity this past weekend. 

Jayden Reid
2025 | Forward | Westminster School (CT)

Reid was another heavy producer who excelled in a different type of setting while maintaining a bigger role for The Westminster School (CT). His physical profile popped at first glance with his strong positional size (6’8”) and disruptive length, although it was easy to see there’s more to his game than the physical tools. Versatile offensive weapon who proved to be a capable floorspacer out of the pick & pop. Rangy rim protector who was a strong & prompt weak-side rotator. Proved that he possesses the strength & power to take advantage of smaller mismatches in the paint as well. St. Louis, Bryant, and more have already offered the PSA Cardinals product.