Scouting Spotlight: New England Open Gym Tour
- Pro Insight
- Nov 9, 2022
- 7 min read
In the latest edition of ‘P.I. Pulse’, Pro Insight contributor Alex Walulik highlights a variety of New England-based prospects who performed well during his month-long tour of visiting open gym sessions throughout the preseason:
Open gyms can tend to be some of the more worthwhile in-person scouting experiences, so once New England basketball programs began to release their preseason schedules, we started filling up our October calendar. Below, we’ll be spotlighting a variety of prospects who made the strongest impressions throughout our month-long pre-season swing. With that being said, here are a few prospects who showed out this past month, along with some noteworthy honorable mentions.
Eye-Catchers
Mouhamed Dioubate | 2023 | 6'7" Forward | Putnam Science Academy (CT) *Alabama commit
All-in-all, Putnam Science Academy forward Mouhamed Dioubate was one of the most imposing players we encountered this preseason. He's the latest PSA frontcourt player to go to the SEC, a group that includes Kentucky’s Ugonna Onyenso. Dioubate is a lengthy forward who gets downhill at will and a strong interior finisher. His motor really shines through on the defensive end, where he's able to defend multiple positions. Dioubate is a potential high-impact defensive player and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him earn rotation minutes early and often under Nate Oats in Tuscaloosa.
Bryce Dortch | 2024 | 6'8" Forward | Brimmer and May (MA)
Bryce Dortch is part of Brimmer and May School’s two-headed monster along with guard Andre Mills. Dortch recently showed out at The Blueprint Combine in Manalapan, New Jersey, this past August. He still has some things to work on, but the difficult matchup he presents to defenders makes him one of the most noteworthy prospects we evaluated this preseason. Dortch commands attention due to his length, athleticism, and positional versatility. He plays with high-level confidence which can generate scoring streaks both in the half-court and in transition. He brings intensity and switchability on the defensive end, as well, utilizing his wingspan and footwork to shut down opponents and blow plays up. With that being said, the 6'8" Dortch has a very bright future, and we fully expect his recruitment to continue to pick up steam.
Que Duncan | 2024 | 6'4" Guard | Notre Dame (CT)
Que Duncan is still filling into his body and it appears like he's going to end up being taller than his current listed 6'4" height. During Notre Dame’s open gym, Duncan flashed solid footwork as a defender, and the prowess to contain a wing in pick-and-roll, while even displaying switchability in low-post situations. Another Blueprint Combine alum, Duncan's defensive potential and upside as a versatile, switchable combo guard are definitely worth monitoring. On the offensive end, he possesses elite poise for a player his age and finds ways to get to his spots on the regular, displaying a knack for knocking down high degree of difficulty shots. Duncan also exhibits fluidity in transition, craftiness while finishing around the rim, and heady decision-making in the half-court. With Duncan, there's still plenty of room to improve, but there are realistic signs of a switchable two-way prospect in the making.
AJ Dybantsa | 2026 | 6'8" Forward | St. Sebastian's (MA)
Despite being a freshman, St. Sebastian's and Expressions (MA) product AJ Dybantsa was perhaps the most well-rounded prospect we encountered throughout the preseason. Dybantsa is a high-level finisher in the paint, thanks to his long strides and 6'11" wingspan guiding him to the cup. Dybantsa's handle and shot-creation are very functional, too. His energy and demand-the-ball mentality have already fostered national recognition. Based on Dybantsa's talent-level and mindset, the likelihood of the Massachusetts native becoming the unanimous top 2026 prospect in the country is high.
Elmarko Jackson | 2023 | 6'3" Guard | South Kent (CT) *Kansas commit
One of the more impressive players we caught this preseason, Elmarko Jackson showed why the defending National Champion Kansas Jayhawks sought out his services. The senior guard is tailor-made for Bill Self's program as he plays tough but in-control and unfazed. Jackson's combination of size, speed, and power instantly stand out when watching him play. He's got elite physical tools, but has made strides as a decision-maker and pull-up shooter in the past year. It will be worth monitoring how he develops as a three-point shooter this season. Either way, Jackson is a player to become familiar with.
Papa Kante | 2023 | 6'10" Big | South Kent (CT) *Michigan commit
Throughout open gym, Papa Kante made waves on a team full of talented players, anchoring the interior for the Cardinals. For Kante, it's his physical frame and reported 7'4" wingspan that immediately stand out. His toughness as a rebounder is also unavoidable. Kante also brings rim-running proficiency and seals well for post position, allowing him to show off his strong combination of hands, footwork and touch. Kante is also capable of hitting open jumpers and is comfortable knocking down an occasional trail three. While he is improving as a shot-creator, he demonstrates an ability to draw contact and plays with infectious confidence on both ends of the floor. With physical tools and the ability to rim-run, rebound and block shots, Kante seems destined for success in Ann Arbor.
Windston Legentus | 2026 | 6'0" Guard | Brimmer and May (MA)
Windston Legentus boasts some intriguing physical tools and is as skilled of a prospect that you'll come across for a freshman guard. Despite the 6'0" frame, his speed and shiftiness are major strengths, yet playing on an island isn’t something he’s very reliant on — Legentus is a team player and plays the game with a pass-first mindset. That approach results in a lot of easy buckets on offense. He is capable of playing both on or off the ball and when he does call his own number, he makes things happen. Legentus understands the game at a high level for a freshman and is a bright, willing decision-maker on offense. Finishing vs. length is an area of development, but it's difficult to use that against him when he's able to stretch the floor and hit difficult shots with such ease. Defensively, he is an active off-ball defender who was intercepting cross-court passes throughout the afternoon. It's rare to find a player that combines their innate ball skills with activity, intelligence and a pass-first mentality, making Legentus a must-watch prospect.
Darius Lopes | 2025 | 6'3" Guard | Vermont Academy (VT)
Darius Lopes recently drew the attention of our staff at the Pangos All-East event, where he was a standout. He was just as intriguing at the Wildcats' open gym recently, further vaulting him up our priority list of New England prospects to keep up with. In the particular open gym we caught live, Lopes put on a masterclass. The sophomore is more than a scorer: he has great speed, functional athleticism, plus-feel, and most importantly, a high-level playmaking ability. We’d like to see Lopes call his own number more frequently, but his selfless approach is endearing, nonetheless. He reads the floor, plays with pace, and makes assertive decisions on the attack. The Vermont Academy coaching staff has put shooters around Lopes and if they can execute, this team is going to be dangerous.
Ebuka Okorie | 2025 | 6'0" Guard | Cushing Academy (MA)
Throughout our recent travels around the region, Ebuka Okorie emerged as one of the best up-and-comers in New England. He was also one of the smartest, making him an interesting 2025 prospect to say the least. Throughout open gym, Okorie would pull off one near-impossible move after another, getting into his deep offensive bag. He flourishes with the ball, is a problem for opponents in transition, and can create for teammates in the open floor; he also has a high comfort level breaking down defenders in the half-court, and keeps the D honest from outside. The layered combination of skill makes Okorie a sure-fire high-major target and we expect a big season from him at Cushing.
Joson Sanon | 2025 | 6'5" Guard | Vermont Academy (VT)
With an incredibly lanky frame and remarkable lateral movement ability as a high-level athlete, Joson Sanon holds down the perimeter for Vermont Academy's defense. Capable of disrupting passing lanes and with the footwork to shut down his man one-on-one, it’s no surprise to hear that Sanon has spent extra time in the gym working on his defense. Offensively, Sanon uses his long arms to finish amidst contact and is difficult to contain in the half-court. Sanon can play with or without the ball, and has the prototypical, modern-day physical tools teams look for in a combo guard. During the afternoon we spent at Vermont Academy, he displayed his ability as a transition playmaker, had some eye-opening pull-up jumpers and he exploited defenders as a slasher. His willingness to relocate with smart cutting as well as popping as a catch-and-shoot threat also shined through. Sanon brings intensity and an alpha mentality, and coupled with his functional skill level, he’s simply someone we’re really excited about.
Kur Teng | 2024 | 6'4" Guard | Bradford Christian (MA)
Kur Teng, a member of Bradford Christian Academy's talented roster, is a powerhouse on offense. Teng has elite quickness on the perimeter, and can play efficiently anywhere on the perimeter. He can stretch the floor, thrive from mid-range, finish through contact, and create for others in the half-court. Teng has a special combination of speed, shiftiness, skill, confidence, poise, and versatility. During this particular viewing, he was glued to the basketball and did a great job leveraging his gravity to involve others. Teng doesn't just exude the "vibes" of a big time bucket-getter, he walks the walk and can get what he wants, when he wants just about every time he steps onto the floor. Expect Teng to continue demoralizing defenders for years to come.
Honorable Mentions
Isaac Bonilla | 2023 | 6'1" Guard | Bradford Christian (MA) *Maine commit
What stood out most: off-ball movement + shooting touch
Trey Boyd | 2023 | 6'4" Guard |- South Kent (CT)
What stood out most: positional size + motor
Jordan Clayton | 2023 | 6'2" Guard | Bradford Christian (MA *Northwestern commit
What stood out most: feel for the game
Tarique Foster | 2023 | 6'8" Wing | Putnam Science Academy (CT) *VCU commit
What stood out most: functional athleticism
Andre Mills | 2024 | 6'4" Guard | Brimmer and May (MA)
What stood out most: physical tools + activity level
Jayden Ndjigue | 2023 | 6'4" Guard | The Rivers School (MA) *UMass commit
What stood out most: on-ball perimeter defense
Darin Smith Jr. | 2023 | 6'7" Guard | Vermont Academy (VT)
What stood out most: positional size
Duane Thompson | 2024 | 6'7" Forward | Putnam Science Academy (CT)
What stood out most: athletic upside
Isaiah Watts | 2023 | 6'3" Guard | South Kent (CT)
What stood out most: shooting touch
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