New England’s Lone EYBL Scholastic Entry

Masters Academy International (MAI) opened this fall in Stow, MA, as a sports boarding school that blends athletics, academics and student life. Its boys’ EYBL Scholastic team plays in the Nike EYBL Scholastic, widely seen as the top boys high school league in the country. MAI is one of 15 EYBL Scholastic teams this season and the only one from New England (https://www.basketballjournal.com/2026/06/25/masters-academy-international-announces-move-to-join-nike-eybl-scholastic/).

Head coach Jason Smith spent 26 seasons at Brewster Academy, winning more than 700 games and seven National Prep Championships and developing 25 NBA players. He brought Brewster into the Nike EYBL in 2023 and now leads MAI’s EYBL Scholastic team.

Assistants Ryan Hurd, a former head coach at Notre Dame Prep, and Josh Lee, who is also a physical therapist, both followed Smith from Brewster.

We profile MAI’s 2026-27 EYBL Scholastic team below.

#0 Antonio Pemberton (2027) 6'1 point guard – Committed to Michigan State in September. A four-star recruit from Methuen, MA, ranked No. 49 nationally by On3, No. 2 in New England by New England Basketball Journal, No. 3 in New England by Prep Hoops, and the top prospect in New Hampshire by NERR. A high-volume scorer who plays within the flow of the offense while knowing when to hunt his own shot. Also held D1 offers from Notre Dame, Creighton, Maryland, Boston College, Iowa State and Utah. Plays club ball with Mass Rivals. NERR profile (https://newenglandrecruitingreport.com/recruits/antonio-pemberton-2027) PH profile (https://prephoops.com/player/antonio-pemberton/)

#1 A’Mire Gill (2027) 6'3 guard – Committed to Miami (Ohio) in September. A state champion with Cincinnati Princeton (OH), Gill was the leading scorer in a conference that includes a handful of nationally ranked prospects. He also stood out on the 3SSB circuit with Wildcat Select this summer. One of the youngest players in the 2027 class nationally, he doesn’t show it in his mature game and frame. Nearly every MAC program in Ohio pursued Gill, and he became a priority recruit across the Midwest and beyond.

#2 Josiah Adamson (2027) 6'3 guard – Transferred from CATS Academy (MA). Ranked No. 7 in New England by Prep Hoops, No. 7 in New England by New England Basketball Journal and No. 2 in Massachusetts by NERR. An elite, athletic, strong-bodied and versatile guard with tremendous upside. He has range out to the 3-point line, can defend positions 1-4, excels in the open court and finishes above the rim. Held multiple D1 offers, including Albany, UMBC and Central Florida, and has since committed to Towson. Plays club ball with Expressions Elite EYBL. NERR profile (https://newenglandrecruitingreport.com/recruits/josiah-adamson-2027) PH profile (https://prephoops.com/player/josiah-adamson/)

#3 Aidan Dayco-Green (2027) 6'5 guard – Dayco-Green is impressive. He looks quite comfortable running the point for MAI. He handles pressure effectively, and he has some major wiggle to his dribbling. His Allen Iverson-style crossover gets him past defenders consistently. The senior also has a lethal step-through move and great touch around the rim. The added exposure of playing for MAI’s EYBL Scholastic team should start the scholarship offers flowing in. PH profile (https://prephoops.com/player/aidan-dayco-green/)

#4 Brayden Buckley (2028) 6'4 point guard – From Thayer Academy (MA). Ranked New England’s No. 1 shooting guard in the 2028 class by Prep Hoops (https://prephoops.com/new-england/rankings/2028-rankings/). He missed much of last season with an injury but looks better than ever. He scores from three early, then uses that shooting threat to open up midrange shots and layups. He has really good quickness and athleticism plus a supremely high level of skill and pace, and he impresses with his pick-and-roll feeds to his bigs. PH profile (https://prephoops.com/player/brayden-buckley/)

#5 Braxton Bogard (2028) 6'9 forward – Ranked No. 31 nationally by ESPN (https://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/267309/braxton-bogard), Bogard is the total package. He shoots from deep, finishes through contact and protects the rim. Holds multiple D1 offers, including West Virginia, Clemson, Ole Miss, American and Mississippi State.

#11 Mekhi Robertson (2027) 6'4 guard – A transfer from SoCal Academy, Robertson is a skilled scorer with deep range. A twitchy athlete who embraces physical play, he is also a strong and agile finisher. Holds multiple D1 offers, including Oklahoma State, West Virginia, North Carolina State and Alabama State. Plays club ball with Team Final.

#12 Jonathan Bernstein (2028) 6'4 guard – Transferred from Beaver Country Day (MA). Bernstein has a great feel for the game and is a good ball handler who plays under control. An excellent three-point shooter, he has hit as many as eight in a single game, and he has very good court vision.

#22 Solomon Bratton (2027) 6'7 forward – From Milton High (GA), Bratton is a productive forward with above-average athleticism, a strong motor and versatility on both ends of the floor. He is comfortable handling the ball on the perimeter, can attack off the dribble and consistently makes an impact on the glass. He decommitted from Illinois-Chicago to increase his opportunities with a year at MAI. Plays club ball with Jet Training Academy. PH profile (https://prephoops.com/player/solomon-bratton/)

#23 Andrew Kretkowski (2027) 6'8 forward – Kretkowski is the top-ranked New England small forward in the class by Prep Hoops and should put it on display during the course of the season. The 6'8 wing explodes off the floor for dunks and is able to draw contact in the paint. Kretkowski rises up with confidence on his jumper and makes opponents pay for giving him space behind the arc. He is a strong rebounder and has the athleticism to defend multiple positions on the floor. PH profile (https://prephoops.com/player/andrew-kretkowski/)

#30 Michael McNamara (2027) 6'9 forward – McNamara has great positional size and projects as a potentially lethal stretch four at the next level because he is money from deep. His inside-out scoring versatility makes him a matchup nightmare. Defensively, he covers ground, contests shots and disrupts passing lanes. PH profile (https://prephoops.com/player/michael-mcnamara/)

#32 Aidan McGrath (2029) 6'8 forward – Earned 2025-26 All-Independent School League Honorable Mention as a freshman at Thayer Academy (MA), averaging 11 points and 5 rebounds. Ranked No. 5 in New England by Prep Hoops. McGrath has a very mature game for his age and shot 41.5% from deep last season. He can put the ball on the deck and get to his spots with great footwork and body control. He embraces contact under the rim, which helps him rebound and protect the rim at a high level. Led Ireland’s 16u National Team in scoring at the 2025 FIBA Youth EuroBasket and played for Ireland’s 19u National Team this summer. Was the 2024-25 MIAA Patriot League MVP. Plays club ball with Expressions Elite. NERR profile (https://newenglandrecruitingreport.com/recruits/aidan-mcgrath-2029) PH profile (https://prephoops.com/player/aidan-mcgrath/)

2026-27 game schedule and results (https://www.mastersacademyinternational.com/athletics/basketball/#game-day-boys)