Brimmer & May School (MA) 2026-27 Players Profiles
Brimmer & May School came about from a 1939 merger of two Boston schools, May School founded 1880, and Brimmer School founded 1887. It is co-ed, non-denominational, preK through 12th grade school on a seven-acre Chestnut Hill, MA campus, three miles southwest of Boston. It serves roughly 400 students, 6:1 student-faculty ratio.
The Gators boys Varsity 1 team is a college basketball prep program that competes in the New England Basketball League (NEBL) which is one the nation's strongest leagues, and it vies for a seed in the New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) AA division post-season tournament. In 2026, the program is excited to be moving into a brand new gym.
Tom Nelson is the head coach of the Varsity 1 boys team and the school's Athletic Director. He has led the varsity program since 2011. Nelson is a Portland, OR native who went on to play varsity basketball at Phillips Academy Andover (MA), then played at the College of the Holy Cross. He was not a star player but became an influential voice in the locker room and recognized early that coaching was a natural path for him. His coaching career began at Dean College, where he spent two years as an assistant before being elevated to head coach for three seasons. He then joined the staff at Framingham State University as an assistant for three years. After that he moved to Brimmer. Alongside the school job, Nelson has been a fixture in New England grassroots basketball. He co-founded the New England Ballas AAU program and then spent a decade working to develop Mass Rivals into a regional powerhouse.
The program's signature product is A.J. Reeves '18, who arrived as a rail-thin 5-foot-9 guard and left as a four-star recruit, and the 2018 Gatorade Massachusetts Player of the Year. Other Nelson-coached players who moved on to college basketball include Stone McLaren '18 (RPI), Jimmy Yfantopulos '18 (Colgate), Ethan Eastwood '18 (St. Lawrence), Andre Mills '24 (Texas A&M), Bryce Dortch '24 (Rutgers) and Mark Gasperini '16 (American).
To stay competitive in the NEBL and NEPSAC AA, Nelson has to keep attracting and developing high level players. He has done that again with his 2026-27 roster, as profiled below.
George Demeter (2027) 6'7 small forward - Demeter is a high-motor forward who brings relentless energy and a team-first mindset. A Brimmer student since elementary school, he has shown consistent development and a deep commitment to the game. He is a versatile player who can shoot, handle, and pass, but his greatest asset is his competitiveness. Always in the gym, Demeter is a tough, coachable prospect with an upward trajectory. Plays club ball with Mass Rivals-3SSB. 3.5 gpa
Tyson Robinson (2027) 6'7 forward - Robinson, out of Newton, MA, is a versatile forward with a polished post-game and advanced footwork. He stretches the floor with consistent three-point shooting—both off the catch and on the move. Defensively, he is a strong help-side shot blocker with excellent timing and instincts. Tyson continues to develop his strength and physicality to prepare for the next level. Plays club ball with Middlesex Magic. 3.5gpa
Logan Lang (2027) 6'9 forward - From Dorchester, MA, Lang is entering his second NEPSAC season as a skilled big with great length and touch. He can score around the rim and step out to the perimeter, making him a multi-level threat. An unselfish passer, he shows strong instincts facilitating from the post and executing dribble hand-offs. He has had a year of NEPSAC competition; he is focused on improving his strength and physicality. A high-upside prospect with strong fundamentals and feel. BCOG Plays club ball with OBG Elite.
John Fitzgibbon (2027) 6’3 guard - Fitzgibbon is a lengthy combo guard with a strong feel for the game and a well-rounded skill set. He can defend positions 1–3 and was one of Brimmer’s top defender's last season. Offensively, he scores at all three levels—stretching the floor with his shooting while also getting downhill and creating for others. After a strong year, he is poised for a breakout season. Plays club ball with Mass Rivals-3SSB. 3.6 gpa
Ladanion Payne (2027) 6’1, 165 lbs, point guard– #13 ranked player in New England by NE Basketball Journal. #7 ranked player in Massachusetts by NERR. 2025-26 All NEPSAC AA Honorable Mention. Payne is a dynamic playmaker with elite ball-handling and the ability to get to the rim at will. He can score from deep, operate in the mid-range, and finish creatively or above the rim. Has been offered by Albany, Boston University and Stonehill, and is receiving interest from Holy Cross, Albany, UMBC, Lehigh, Boston University, Hofstra, Northern Kentucky and FDU. Plays club ball with Mass Rivals-3SSB. NERR profile PH profile
Cam Thornton (2027) 6'2 guard - Thornton, from Lynn, MA, is a confident shooter with deep range, especially effective in catch-and-shoot situations. He continues to expand his game by improving his handle and ability to attack off the bounce. Built on a strong developmental foundation, Thorton is poised for a strong upcoming season. Plays club ball with Team Sims. PH profile
BJ Dawan Abdullah (2028) 5’10 point guard - Abdullah is a quick, tenacious point guard who brings energy and leadership. A Brimmer student since 8th grade, he has gained valuable experience as a varsity backup while competing in the NEBL against top competition. He is a strong on-ball defender with great speed and instincts and continues to develop his perimeter shooting. Plays club ball with Mass Rivals-3SSB. 3.7 gpa
Ryland August (2028) 6’3 guard - August, from Hopkinton, MA, is an athletic, versatile wing with a high ceiling. He can shoot, defend multiple positions, and impact the game in a variety of ways. A true glue guy, he does the little things—making the extra pass, defending, and competing at a high level. With continued development, he has strong upside. Really can shoot the basketball from beyond the 3-point line. Plays club ball with Team Sims. 3.6 gpa
Hunter Wood (2029) 6'2 guard - Wood, from Quincy, MA, is a physical guard with a scorer’s mentality. He excels at attacking the basket and finishing through contact, while also having the ability to stretch defenses from the perimeter. A driven and competitive student-athlete, he brings toughness and offensive upside to Brimmer’s backcourt. 3.6 gpa
To accommodate college scout visits, Brimmer holds a schedule of Fall Open Gym runs, the details of which can be found above in the title graphic above.
The team’s 2026-27 game schedule and results can be found by clicking here.