Newman School (MA) Returns to Defend their National Prep Title
The Newman School is a day and boarding school in Boston's Back Bay. Founded in 1945 by Dr. J. Harry Lynch and a group of Catholic laymen, it was created to prepare returning World War II veterans for college. Named for Cardinal John Henry Newman, the school is now independent of any religious affiliation. Newman educates roughly 250 students in grades 7-12 plus post-graduates. Michael Schafer took over as head of school in 2020 and has pushed to expand both athletics and boarding.
Newman basketball has more than met Schafer's blueprint. The program now runs two college prep focused teams, the National team and the Prep team. The National team Cardinals are the defending National Prep School Championship winners, the 2026 NEPSAC Class AAA champions, and the 2026 New England Basketball League champions. They closed last season on a 19-game winning streak, finished 38-3, and ranked #1 in the national prep computer rankings. The AAA title was their second straight New England championship, and the run capped a rise from NEPSAC Class D to national champion in just four years. The Prep team competes in the New England Independent Prep League AAA division.
The 2026-27 season opens a new chapter. The program graduated serious talent in 6'10 forward Quinn Costello, a McDonald's All-American headed to Michigan; Chase Geremia, the national championship game MVP bound for UPenn; and Lucas Morillo, a four-star consensus top-50 guard signed with Illinois. Head coach Jackson Johnson, who went 108-49 over four seasons, was also hired away by IMG Academy.
In May, Newman named Justin Perron to take over the national team. A North Attleboro, MA native, Perron grew up in the gyms of his father Chris Perron, longtime coach of the North Attleboro High boys program. He graduated from Framingham State in 2015 with a degree in psychology and later earned a master's in education from Providence College. While still a student, he assisted at Mansfield High and Franklin High before joining Clark University, where he spent five seasons — the last two as full-time assistant, handling recruiting, scouting, in-game adjustments, practice planning, and skill development. He also coached his own 17U team with Mass Premier and worked camps for Hoop Group, the Academic All-American Camps, Championship Basketball School, and the Ivy League Elite Camps. In 2020-21 and 2021-22 he ran the prep team at Northfield Mount Hermon under John Carroll. He took over at St. Mark's School in Southborough in 2023-24, rebuilding the Lions and winning the 2026 NEPSAC Class B Large championship.
The 2025-26 program includes the following high talent college prospects.
Preston Bollin (2027) 6'6 wing (Committed to Princeton in May) - #18 ranked player in New England by NE Basketball Journal. #14 ranked player in New England by Prep Hoops. #4 ranked player in Massachusetts by NERR. A big bodied forward who can bully his way inside the paint and use his toughness to get looks at the rim. He can also knock down three-point shots and plays good offensive basketball in terms of moving the ball. Had been also offered by Harvard, Columbia and Oral Roberts. Plays club ball with Middlesex Magic. NERR profile PH profile
Duke Clement (2027) 6’1 point guard - Clement is electric with the ball in his hands and opponents have trouble stopping him. He has a crafty handle, which he uses to get into the lane and finish around the basket. Clement has a smooth release on his jumper and shoots the ball with confidence from behind the arc. He runs the offense effectively and makes good passes. 3.8 gpa NERR profile
Jack Donohue (2027) 6'7 small forward (Committed to Syracuse University in August) - A uniquely skilled and extremely valuable presence in the frontcourt. Donohue has established himself as a productive and versatile hybrid forward. Donohue stretches the floor by confidently knocking down outside shots. He as a viable movement shooter, a potent pick and pop option, and a more than capable spot up shooter. Donohue's impact also extended to the defensive end of the floor where he utilized his length and frame as a rebounder and a shot blocker. Had also received D1 offers from Penn State, Holy Cross, Marist, Tennessee Tech University and Siena. Plays club ball with NJ Shore Shots. PH profile
Monte Douglass (2027) 6'4 guard - Douglass is a returner who makes an impact as a scorer and shooter. His smooth shot allows him to be a great floor spacer. Douglass has college ready size and uses it to score around the rim. He has had some big games for his club team this spring and has great momentum going into the summer. Plays club ball with NJ Shoreshots. Video highlights
Oliver Gray (2027) 6'6 wing - Gray is a post grad from Illinois. He is an elite shooter with college ready size and ability. He keeps adding to his game and has also made significant strides as an athlete as of late. Scores in bunches and can do so in many ways. Has multiple D1 offers, including Cleveland State, Canisus and Eastern Illinois. Plays club ball with Illinois Wolves-UAA. High gpa.
Noah Khalid (2027) 6’2 point guard - Khalid is a post grad who was a standout for Dalton School (NY), Khalid is a high academic prospect whose terrific high school career, included a 49pt game this past season. He has high level shooting ability with a quick release and great play making skills. Plays with pace and is crafty as a finisher. Plays club ball with Riverside Hawks 17u. 3.5 gpa RTB profile
Davon Maloney (2027) 6'6 wing - #14 ranked player in New England by NE Basketball Journal. #5 ranked player in Massachusetts by NERR. An 1,000 point scorer at LaSalle Academy (NY), Maloney has an intriguing blend of athleticism and skill. He can really elevate at the rim but also has the body control of someone well beyond his years. He’s got good touch from the three-point line and in the paint, and generally a good feel for how to play in the lane. Has received multiple D1 Offers, including Penn State, Yale, Iona, Siena, Le Moyne, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Stony Brook, Hofstra and Albany. Plays club ball with City Rocks-EYBL. NERR profile PH profile
Will Meribe (2027) 6'8 forward - Meribe has impressive strength and athleticism. He is a great rim runner who seems to be in excellent physical condition, allowing him to beat opposing bigs up and down the floor. On the glass, he uses his quick first and second jumps and length to come down with rebounds, and his wide body to carve out space. He almost hit his head on the rim a couple times. Meribe's offensive skillset is certainly still coming along, but he finishes well above the rim and should spend lots of time in the dunker spot for Newman. He garners D1 looks because of his physicality and athletic ability. Offered by LaSalle and Iona. Plays club ball with Epic Elite UA. Video highlights
Jack Moynahan (2027) 6’6 wing - A post grad from Riverdale Country School (NY), Moynahan is starting to hit his stride as a player. He had a good winter for Riverdale and had an excellent club season. He is a great shooter and has the length to impact the defensive end as well. Plays club ball with Riverside Hawks 17u. 4.0 gpa Video highlights RTB profile
Philipe NDong (2027) 6'9 shooting guard - This wing is built like a D1 prospect and has a super intriguing set of skills. He can make shots from the perimeter, and he looks quite comfortable and coordinated on drives to the rim despite his size and length. Defensively, his physical attributes allow him to guard multiple positions and impact shots at the rim. As Ndong continues to get stronger, he should have tons of scholarship schools on him. Has received multiple D1 offers, including Creighton, Brown, Ball State, Boston University and Iona. Plays club ball with Middlesex Magic 17u. Video highlights PH profile
Leon Powe III (2027) 6’5 guard - Powe is a 3 level scorer with strength and great game feel. He is the son of a former NBA player, and you can tell. He knows what he's good at on the floor and finds ways to accentuate those skills while hiding the things he's still working on. He can handle the ball and play as a point-guard, but he can also cut off the ball and excels as an athlete in transition. He uses slow steps and Eurosteps quite well at the hoop, and he plays at his own pace while never being sped up. Plays club ball with Middlesex Magic 17u. PH profile
Xavier Sanchez (2027) 6’3 guard - Very athletic combo guard, cousin of Michael Carter-Williams. Sanchez's on-ball guard skills make him a very intriguing prospect. He gets by defenders in the pick-and-roll, and getting to the basket. He shows off a mid-range jumper and the ability to get out on the open floor without the ball to get easy scores. Sanchez's potential is easy to see and is tantalizing. NERR profile PH profile
Jordan Smith (2027) 5'11 point guard - Smith's minutes were limited last winter due to playing behind Newman's nationally ranked starters. That is expected to change significantly going forward. Smith is the son of University of South Carolina AC, Steve Smith. and he plays like a coaches son He is a high IQ throwback true point guard. Great handle gets the ball to spots and controls tempo. Very capable shooter but picks his spots. Pesky on ball defender, picks the ball up full court and crawls into ball-handler. Has long wingspan for size and uses it to get deflections. Has been offered by Stetson University. Video highlights
Sam Thai (2027) 6’2 combo guard - Thai is a post grad from Vietnam, playing on their 18u National team. He is a high level scorer with a college-ready build. Thai is an excellent shooter who doesn’t need much time or space to knock down 3s. A highlight of last year was him putting up 31pts in the Asia Pacific Cup final. High gpa Video highlights
Sam Johnson (2028) 6’5 wing - New to Newman, from St. Peter’s Prep (NJ) Johnson is a two-way player known for excellent defense and scoring ability. Plays club ball with NJ Beasts.
Luka Kuqo (2028) 6'9 forward - Kuqo is a physical forward with a great IQ and understanding of the game. Can shoot 3 well off pick and pops and is excellent at holding his position in the post. Son of an NBA coach, his development has taken a huge leap this spring and he is ready for a big role this winter. Was just named a standout at the UAA Future 60 camp by 247 sports. Plays club ball with Middlesex Magic 16u. PH profile
Logan Bialski (2029) 6’8 forward - Bialski has incredible size and feel at his age. Shoots the 3 very well and is continuing to develop his overall game. Son of two outstanding college basketball players, he has a knack for making the right play.
Dario Gonzalez (2029) 6’1 guard - Gonzalez joined Newman late last year and looking to take step forward this season. Brother of Hugo Gonzalez, Dario is an aggressive defender who does not back down from any matchup. He is a crafty player on both sides and uses his IQ to punish opponents.
Oli Higgins (2029) 6’10 small forward - Higgins was a dominant player in Maine hoops as freshman, and he continues to put up performances that make him a name to know in New England. He has athleticism and super long arms, so he can impact shots at the hoop and finish dunks above the rim. But he also has a super cerebral offensive game and is very unselfish when it comes to driving and kicking to teammates. Admittedly, he has some rawness to his game right now—but once Higgins puts on some weight and strength, he could be a high level scholarship prospect. Plays club ball with Team Maine-MHC. Video highlights PH profile
Mac Williamson (2029) 6'7 wing - From Poly Prep Country Day School (NY), Williamson has tremendous size and length, can shoot and rebound at a high level. He is a great long term prospect for Newman.
Josh Harris (2030) 6’1 guard 2030. New to Newman from Fessenden School (MA), Harris is a gym rat and one of the best scorers in his class in New England. Hits 3s at a high clip and has the ability to play on and off the ball on offense.
To accommodate college scout visits, Newman holds a schedule of Fall Open Gym runs, the details of which can be found by clicking here.
The National team’s 2026-27 game schedule and results can be found by clicking here.
The Prep team’s 2026-27 game schedule and results can be found by clicking here.