Philips Exeter Academy (NH) 2026-27 Player Profiles
Founded in 1781, Philips Exeter John Phillips, making it one of the oldest secondary schools in the United States. It is a coeducational boarding and day school, serving roughly 1,100 students, grades 9-12 plus post-graduates. Education at Exeter is defined by the Harkness method, i.e., seminar-style teaching around an oval table, funded by a 1930 gift from Edward Harkness.
The Exeter vs. Andover sports rivalry is the oldest in American secondary school athletics. Exeter's boys varsity basketball team competes in the seven state-wide, college prep level, New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Class A (large schools) division. They have been the dominant NEPSAC Class A program of the last decade, with five NEPSAC Class A championships: 2013, 2014, 2017, 2019, and 2024. No other program has won more than twice in that span.
The Big Red were previously coached by Jay Tilton, who had a legendary career on the Exeter campus. Over 20+ years, he guided the program to the aforementioned 5 NEPSAC championships and developed the Big Red into one of the region’s top academic basketball programs.
Current head coach, Harry Rafferty, was a co-MVP guard on that first 2012-13 championship team, leading the Big Red to 25-1 record that year. After Exeter, he went on to play college ball at Wesleyan University where he was a four-year starting guard who finished with 1,129 career points and graduated as the program's career leader in three-point field goals made (194). He led Wesleyan to the 2014-15 NESCAC championship, the first in school history, plus two NCAA Division III Tournament appearances, and made the NESCAC All-Academic Team three times. He had a cup of coffee in the NBA G League with the Sioux Falls Skyforce before switching into being a coach. He spent 2019-2024 as a University of Michigan women's assistant coach, under two-time Big Ten Coach of the Year Kim Barnes Arico. He started as graduate manager, was promoted to assistant coach in 2021, then to recruiting coordinator in 2023. During his tenure the Wolverines reached the program's first Elite Eight and first two Sweet Sixteens, making the NCAA Tournament every season it was held. In 2024-25, it was back to Exeter as an assistant coach, before assuming the head coaching spot last season.
Also on staff as assistant coaches are Will Armishaw, Ronnie Dixon, and Joe McCarron.
Before coming to Exeter last summer, Armishaw spent 11 years coaching at the Division III level. He was at Saint Joseph's College of Maine, his alma mater, from 2014-2021, where he assisted in compiling four 18-plus win seasons and developing 11 GNAC All-League selections and a GNAC Player of the Year. From 2021-2023, he was an assistant at the University of Southern Maine. He was at UMass Boston from 2023-2025, where the coaching staff boosted the program's win totals and developed an NABC Region 2 Rookie of the Year, a Little East Rookie of the Year, and two Little East All-League selections. Coach Armishaw is also well known for being a respected Prep Hoops New England scout, where he writes about player rankings and outstanding player performances in showcase events.
Dixon, another Phillips Exeter graduate (2008), enjoyed a four-year playing career at Dartmouth before returning to the prep scene. Prior to his return to Exeter, where he serves as an assistant coach and regional director of major gifts, he was an assistant coach and assistant director of admissions at the Groton School.
McCarron also joined the staff prior to the 2025-2026 season. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he was a manager for the men’s basketball team, he has extensive experience in player development, including times with athletes from Boston College, Boston University, Harvard, and at both the Jayson Tatum Elite Camp in Las Vegas and New Balance’s Beantown Elite Experience.
The 2026-27 Phillips Exeter team will be featuring the players profiled below (All of them have gpa’s of 3.3 and above)
Luke Alexander (2027) 6’9” forward – From California. Broad shouldered, 6’9” lefty with touch out to the three. Makes plays off the bounce and continues to develop his athleticism. Good feel as a passer, two-way rebounding, and versatility defensively. Scholarship interest from high academic programs. Plays club ball with the Silicon Valley Swish.
Christian Chartier (2027) 6'7” wing - 2025-26 All NEPSAC A Honorable Mention. From Hampton, NH, Chartier is an elite sniper with the height and frame to continue to develop the rest of his game around his college-ready shooting ability. Has been offered by Air Force, Navy, and New Hampshire. Plays club ball with the New England Storm. NERR profile PH profile
Jayden Duverne (2027) 6'6” wing - From Woburn, MA, Duverne is a versatile wing/forward who has the long-term potential to guard multiple positions. He is a good shooter with developing offensive skill set. He loves hoops. Plays club ball with the Mass Rivals. PH profile
Allan Eagles III (2027) 6’4” guard – From New York. Physically strong guard that makes good decisions with the ball. Scores through contact around the rim and displays the ability to make shots from behind the arc. High IQ on both ends of the floor and unique toughness as a rebounder. Has been offered by Manhattan College. Plays club ball with NEPA Elite. 4.3 gpa RTB profile
Agee Griffith (2027) 5’10” guard – From New Hampshire. Uses his quickness to his advantage on both ends of the floor. Can defend the full 94’ and makes things tough for opposing ball handlers. Moves well off the ball and knocks down shots from three. Plays club ball with the NH Mambas.
Alex Hamblet (2027) 6'9” forward – A 2025-26 All NEPSAC A Honorable Mention. From San Francisco, CA, Hamblet is a versatile forward with the size and movement patterns that could allow him to become a special prospect. Good shooter with touch around the rim. Plays club ball with the New England Storm. PH profile
Rowan Hoffman (2027) 6'8” forward (committed to Holy Cross ion September) - From Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Hoffman is a skilled combo forward who can score at all 3 levels and plays with a high motor. The high academic prospect was one of All Ball Elite's top prospects on the Made Hoops circuit. He can straight line drive it from the perimeter and is a better than average athlete. Has been offered by Cornell, Holy Cross and Navy. 4.3 gpa 1350 SAT Video highlights PH profile
Tyrie James (2027) 5’11” guard – From Maine. A two-time state champion at Windham. Quick off the bounce with good vision as a passer. Finishes with toughness around the rim and makes threes with consistency. Growing as a defender, with the ability to create turnovers. Plays club ball with the Maine Thunder.
Gabe Schmidt (2027) 6’3” guard – From Ohio. A talented shooter that continues to expand his offensive game. Willing ball-mover that does a nice job of scoring at the rim off cuts. Competes on the defensive end of the floor and has the ability to rebound from the guard position. Plays club ball with the Midwest Basketball Club.
Cole McClure (2028) 6'3” guard - Top New England prospect watch list by NE Basketball Journal. #15 ranked player in New England by Prep Hoops. 2025-26 All NEPSAC A. From Exeter, NH, McClure is a very skilled combo guard who is shifty and creative off of the bounce. Very good shooter off of the catch and shoot or dribble with deep range. Plays club ball with the Middlesex Magic. Has interest from the highest levels of college basketball, including Big East programs, down through the Patriot League. PH profile
Lexi Nwabueze (2028) 6’4” guard – An international prospect out of England, Nwabueze is an elite athlete with impressive physical tools. Plays with great burst and makes loud plays around the rim. Has the ability to make shots from behind the arc. Shines on the defensive end of the floor with his versatility, length, and athleticism. Has an offer from Dartmouth.
Lucas Sanson (2028) 5’11” guard - From Manchester, MA - Sanson is a strong, physical two guard who has a knack for scoring in bunches. Good in catch and shoots and finishes around the rim.
Richard Byun (2029) 6'1” guard - From Amityville, NY, Byun is a developing wing who makes shots and has good instincts on offense. PH profile RTB profile
Selah Goodman (2029) 6’4” guard – From New York. A long and athletic combo guard, Goodman is shifty with the ball in his hands and shows the ability to get by defenders off the bounce. His jumper is still developing, but he shows potential as a multi-level scorer. Really good on the defensive end of the floor, on and off the ball. Plays club ball with New Heights NYC.
Caden Nunez (2029) 5’10” guard – From Massachusetts. A young combo guard, Nunez plays with good feel on the offensive end of the floor. He can make shots from behind the arc and has some creativity as a finisher around the rim. Plays club ball with Team NSSA.
Kellen Hadd (2030) 6’1” wing - Hadd is a really good, two-sport athlete (football) from Dover, NH. A talented finisher around the rim, particularly for his age. Also being a fluid athlete gives him the potential to be impactful on the defensive end of the floor.
Duke Ashton (2030) 5’11” guard - A combo guard from Washington, D.C. that is growing into himself and his game. Despite giving up size (at this point in his career) he is fearless on both ends of the floor, particularly against older competition. Is a super hard worker with great instincts defensively.
To accommodate college scout visits, Exeter holds a schedule of Fall Open Gym runs, the details of which can be found in the title graphic above.
The team’s 2026-27 game schedule and results can be found by clicking here.
To accommodate college scout visits, Exeter holds a schedule of Fall Open Gym runs, the details of which can be found in the title graphic above.
The team’s 2026-27 game schedule and results can be found by clicking here.