New Kids on the NEBL Block
Masters Academy International (MAI) is building a fully integrated 360-degree sports boarding school in Stow, MA, where elite athletics, academics and student life operate as one unified model. Until construction on its new campus is finished, MAI’s teams are playing home games at Maynard High School, in the neighboring town of Maynard. Its men’s basketball program has two teams: a Nike EYBL Scholastic squad led by former Brewster Academy head coach Jason Smith, and a prep team led by Naadir Tharpe that competes in the New England Basketball League (NEBL). The NEBL is a regular in any debate over America’s toughest prep league. Its members averaged a national ranking of about 38th last season, essentially even with the Elite Prep League for the deepest league in the country.
Tharpe head coaches MAI’s prep team and also serves as the program’s Co-Director of Player Development. He comes from Brewster Academy, where he was named head coach of the Brewster Prep team in May 2025 after two seasons as its assistant. His roots there run deep. As a Brewster player from 2008 to 2011, he led the Bobcats to NEPSAC and National Prep championships and was named NEPSAC Player of the Year. From there Tharpe went to Kansas, where he helped the Jayhawks win three Big 12 titles and reach the 2012 NCAA national championship game. As a junior he earned Honorable Mention All-Big 12 honors and was named Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week, leading the nation in shooting percentage and assist-to-turnover ratio. He went on to play in the NBA G League and overseas. His coaching résumé also includes a season at Quinsigamond Community College (2016-17) and the 17u team at North Shore Sports Academy.
Working alongside Tharpe is Calvin Whipple, MAI’s Assistant Coach for Player Development. Whipple was a standout at Northfield Mount Hermon and Fairfield University and played professionally in Ireland, Albania, China, Malta, Australia, Colombia and Mexico. He focuses on player development and skill instruction for MAI’s boys and girls basketball programs.
The prep team also benefits from one of the most accomplished program builders in prep basketball. John Carroll, MAI’s program director, has produced more Ivy League players than any coach in the country. His résumé includes 370 wins, four New England Championships and National Prep Championships at two different schools, in 2013 and in 2026 with The Newman School, a program he built from scratch in 2022. Newman won New England AAA titles in 2025 and 2026, was ranked No. 1 nationally both seasons, and has sent nearly two dozen players to Division I, including 2026 McDonald’s All-American Quinn Costello. Beyond the Ivies, Carroll’s players have gone on to Stanford, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Michigan and North Carolina, and at the Division III level to MIT, the University of Chicago, Williams and Middlebury.
The Prep team’s 2026-27 roster is profiled below.
#0 Lucas Diaz (2027) 6'1 point guard - Diaz is one of the best shooters in the PRO 16 circuit. He has unlimited range. He is coming off of a solid school ball year. Despite missing some time, Diaz has developed rapidly into a 3-level guard and has always had a very elite catch and shoot game that includes side step and step back 3s. His ability to get downhill and finish in the mid-paint area makes him a really tough cover for anyone. Plays club ball with Team Miami. 4.7 gpa Video highlights
#1 A’Mire Gill (2027) 6'3 guard (committed to Miami of Ohio in September) - A state champion with Cincinnati Princeton (OH), Gill was the leading scorer in the conference he shares with a handful of nationally ranked prospects. Gill has also stood out on the 3SSB circuit with Wildcat Select this summer. One of the youngest players in the 2027 class nationally, you wouldn’t be able to tell based on how mature Gill’s game and frame is. Gill was pursued by basically every MAC program in Ohio, becoming a priority recruit across the Midwest and beyond.
#2 Oliver Frisoli (2028) 6'2 point guard - Frisoli is hard working, and able to fill it up from way beyond the arc. He is also a crafty playmaker with good passing abilities. RTB profile
#3 Aidan Dayco-Green (2027) 6'5 guard - Dayco-Green is very skilled. He has an extremely smooth and effective first step and gets by defenders before they even know it. He also has all of the footwork and craft that you could ever need when it comes to finishing at or below the rim. He can shoot the ball from three, too. Has been offered by UC Santa Barbara. Plays club ball with WV Gold Hoops. PH profile
#4 Jayson Brainerd (2028) 6'1 guard - A dual sport athlete (Track: 11.81 for 100m). Brainerd is an excellent shooter and strong athlete. He knocks it down consistently with deep range and is an excellent defender both on and off the ball.
#5 Luca Magnus (2027) 6'4 small forward - A post grad from Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences (CA), Magnus is a jack-of-all-trades wing who impacts winning. Makes all the little effort plays that decide the outcome of a game. A capable defender and a good leader. Ability to knock down a three or take his defender off the bounce and either finish or make the right pass. Video highlights
#10 Benton Welker (2027) 6'8 forward - A long, fluid lefty who moves exceptionally well in the open floor. Operates as a grab-and-go rebounder, passes well out of the post, and finishes above the rim when attacking closeouts. His perimeter jumper is fluid, and his length makes him an asset as a help-side rim protector and in the passing lanes. Offered by Iona. PH profile
#11 Kenny Benedict Jr. (2027) 6'6 shooting guard - A post grad from St. George’s School (RI), Benedict will splash the 3 ball and mid-range jumpers. He also gets to the rim at will with good footwork and decision making. Plays club ball with Crown Basketball. RTB profile
#12 Jonathan Bernstein (2028) 6'4 shooting guard - A transfer from Beaver Country Day (MA), Bernstein has a great feel for the game. Good ball handler who plays under control. Excellent three point shooter, splashing as many as eight in a single game, with very good court vision.
#13 Joe Colagrossi (2029) 6'3 guard - A natural scorer off the bounce with the creativity to finish through contact and the touch to hit contested mid-range shots. His floor vision and passing instincts stand out, delivering accurate passes both stationary and on the move. PH profile
#21 Tayden Langdon (2027) 6'2 guard - Son of Detroit Pistons president and former Duke star Trajan Langdon. A high-motor, super-athletic two-way player with deep range, sound ball-handling, and strong communication. Drawing Ivy and Patriot League interest. National Honor Society student. PH profile
#22 Jaeger Magnus (2030) small forward - Magnus is an elite rebounder who gets his team extra possessions with his boards. He is able to pop out and knock down an open shot.
#23 Quentin Walker (2027) 6'3 guard - 2025-26 All-NYSAIS Honorable Mention. Walker works relentlessly and is extremely coachable. Plays club ball with Team NYC. 3.8 gpa 1350 SAT Garden Ball profile
#32 Aidan McGrath (2029) 6'7 forward - 2025-26 All Independent School League Honorable Mention as a freshman at Thayer Academy (MA). #5 ranked prospect in New England by Prep Hoops. McGrath has a very mature game for his young age. He shot 41.5% from deep as a sophomore. He can put the ball on the deck and get to his spots with great footwork and body control. McGrath embraces contact under the rim, which helps him rebound the ball and protect the rim at a high level. He will undoubtedly build on his first NEPSAC campaign of 11 ppg and 5 reb. 2024-25 MIAA Patriot League MVP. Led Ireland’s 16u National Team in scoring at the 2025 FIBA Youth EuroBasket, then he played up to be on Ireland’s 19u National Team this summer. Plays club ball with Expressions Elite. NERR profile PH profile
#44 Akmalkhan Aubakirov (2029) 6'10 forward - A transfer from Frederick Gunn School (CT), Aubakirov has next level size and upside, particularly as a rim running big man who is developing his post skills and improving his strength and athletic ability. Plays club ball with City Rocks. High gpa RTB profile
The Prep team’s 2026-27 game schedule and results can be found by clicking here.