2026-27 Rivers School College Prospects
The Rivers School is an independent, coeducational preparatory school in Weston, MA about 17 miles from Boston. It serves grades 6–12, 536 students, on a 55-acre campus. Founded in 1915 by Robert W. Rivers at the suggestion of Boston-area physicians who believed an open-air school environment would promote health at a time when diseases were killing young people. Rivers himself came from a well-off Milton family with two Mayflower ancestors.
Their boys varsity basketball team plays in the Independent School League and New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Class B. The Red Wings have been one of the strongest Class B programs of the last decade.
Keith Zalaski led them for 11 years to three NEPSAC Class B championships (2022, 2023, 2024), six Class B finals, and two ISL titles (2023, 2024), compiling a 218-67 record. Rivers announced in March 2026 that Zalaski would depart at season's end, with assistant Jacob Werrick elevated to head coach. Werrick played under Zalaski, graduated Rivers in 2016, and had been an assistant six seasons.
Coach Werrick will be looking to the players for continued success in the 2026-27 season
AJ DeSantis (2027) 6'1 guard - Ultimate glue guy, defended all 5 positions this year from D1 lead guards to 6’10 bigs. Led team in charges taken. High basketball IQ, good cutter who utilizes his strong frame and angles well. Opportunistic offensive rebounder, who consistently makes winning plays and isn’t driven by the need to score. High motor. College football prospect as well. Voted as captain for his senior year.
Jack Millward (2027) 6'5 guard - 2025-26 All NEPSAC B-Large. 2025-26 All Independent School League. Millward is a dynamic 3 level scorer who led Rivers in both scoring and rebounding in his first year after transferring in from Wakefield High (MA). Millward is a strong playmaker who uses his shooting gravity and shifty handle to create opportunities for himself and teammates. Versatile defender who has the strength and athleticism to contain guards and also handle larger forwards. Voted as captain for his senior year. Plays club ball with Middlesex Magic 17u-HGSL. Video highlights PH profile
Ikenna Okafor (2027) 6'7 wing - 2025-26 All-NEPSAC Class B Large. 2025-26 All Independent School League. Okafor possesses the length and frame of a forward combined with the handles and vision of a guard. He uses his size and instincts to disrupt passing lanes on defense while helping to facilitate on offense. Plays club ball with Mass Rivals. NERR profile PH profile
Patrick Costello (2028) 6'5 wing - 2025-26 All NEPSAC B-Large. 2025-26 All Independent School League. Costello is an immediate impact player who has started every game through his two years at Rivers. Physical and versatile, Costello is a threat to score from well beyond the college three-point line. Comfortable knocking down shots off of catch and shoot, off the dribble, and off screening actions. Aggressive rebounder with a high basketball IQ. Voted as captain for his junior year. Plays club ball with Expressions Elite 16u-EYBL. NERR profile PH profile
Isaiah Lys (2029) 5’10 guard - Quick point guard with a good handle who’s continuing to add strength to his frame. Showed flashes of 3 level scoring ability in his limited minutes this past season as a non-reclass freshman. Good passer who uses his strong instincts on the defensive end to create turnovers. Plays club ball with ASA Hoops.
Jetari Veal (2029) 5’10 guard - Strong combo guard with an improving 3 point shot and expanding offensive game. Solid straight line driver. Good on-ball defender who can guard 94 feet. Strength and low center of gravity allows him to guard bigger players on the wing. Plays club ball with BABC National.
Justin Frye (2030) 6 '3 guard - High IQ combo guard who’s one of the elite shooters for his age in the country. Uses the gravity of his shooting to attack closeouts and create advantages for his teammates. Strong communicator who plays with a relentless motor and rebounds well for his position on both ends of the floor. Uses his length well to corral and deter drives defensively. Plays club ball with Expressions Elite-EYBL
Junior Jean-Philippe (2030) 5 '10 guard - Dynamic, high-motor lead guard who plays with a poise and confidence beyond his years. Capable 3 point shooter but thrives in the mid-range, confidently creating space and knocking down shots. Finds his spots with ease and demonstrates high-level creation for himself and his teammates, especially in the pick and roll. Good on-ball defender with quick hands. Plays club ball with Middlesex Magic-UAA
Alden Poage (2030) 6 '8 wing - Lanky wing who’s a strong 3 point shooter with an expanding off the dribble game. Uses his length well to both protect and finish around the rim. Still growing into his frame. His combination of positional size, length, and skill makes him an intriguing and high-level, long-term prospect to watch. Plays club ball with Team New England-Pro16
Matthew Tartufo (2030) 6 '2 wing - A multisport athlete, he is a good shooter from 3 with a quick trigger and deep range. He uses his solid frame to be a factor on the glass and is solid defensively. Plays club ball with Middlesex Magic.
For college scouts looking to attend one of the program’s Fall Open Gyms sessions, those details can be found in the title jpeg above.
The Rivers School 2026-2027 game schedule and results can be found by clicking here