Tornado Warning for All of New England
Springfield Commonwealth Academy (SCA) Tornadoes head coach Tony Bergeron has had one of the longest and most consistently successful program-building careers in all of prep basketball. This year, he may have outdone himself. He has brought in enough college prospects from all over the States and all over the globe to run five college prep teams, the biggest and deepest pool of talent in SCA’s history. More than 65 prospects fill those teams, which play in the AAA and AA divisions of both the Power 5 and the New England Independent Prep League (NEIPL), plus an independent schedule, making SCA one of the largest college prep basketball programs in the country and a required stop for college scouts at every level.
The Power 5 AAA team sits at the top of that talent food chain, Bergeron’s hand-picked best roster from all of those student-athletes. It should be a major force in New England prep basketball this season and a possible contender for the National Prep Championship tournament in March.
Bergeron has more than 500 career wins and expects to pass 300 college placements in 2027. He took over SCA’s college prep program in 2025, after two seasons as an assistant at UMass under Matt McCall and nearly 15 years as a program director at Five-Star Basketball Camp. He also runs the PJN Classic, a showcase built for college prospects. His teams are known for their pressing defense.
We profile SCA’s 2026-27 Power 5 AAA roster below.
Najay Bess (2027) 6'4 guard – This sniper from Harlem, NY, came to New England with interest from Siena and Albany already. The UAA circuit veteran is a big-time shot maker who competes and defends as well. This stage will provide more opportunities for Bess, and he should draw a lot of LM-MM interest and offers. Plays club ball with the Riverside Hawks-UAA. RTB profile
Aden Cabrera (2027) 5'8 point guard – From Springfield, MA, Cabrera is a jet-quick, true lead guard with sniper ability from 3. A menace on defense. Holds interest from various New England D3s.
Dylan Campbell (2027) 6'5 wing – From Orlando, FL, Campbell has high-major athleticism and is a sniper from 3. Projected as a mid-major prospect. 4.2 gpa
Orion Cobb (2027) 6'8 forward – From Queens, NY, Cobb is a shot-blocking machine! This throwback defensive menace could be the best shot blocker in all of New England this season! Orion is an MM+ college prospect with a college-ready body today. He will “blow up” on the big stage of New England prep basketball this season. Plays club ball with Castle Athletics. Good GPA. RTB profile
Donnie Gregory (2027) 6'3 guard – From New Jersey, this EYBL circuit veteran came onto the New England prep scene with interest from Arkansas-Little Rock among others at the LM-MM level. He is a pure scorer who shoots, drives and makes plays for others as well. He will be a huge part of that high-powered offense for Bergeron. Plays club ball with PSA Cardinals-EYBL. PH profile
AJ "A2" Johnson Jr. (2027) 6'4 guard – From New Haven, CT, the guard comes to SCA off a historic CIAC tournament performance with West Haven High (CT). In the Division I final at Mohegan Sun Arena, he scored a game-high 27 points, hit four 3s and added 8 rebounds and 4 steals as West Haven knocked off previously unbeaten Staples 79-72 in triple overtime to win the state title. Johnson then put on a show in back-to-back seasons in Zero Gravity’s ZGXL, using his explosiveness to dunk, making timely shots and digging in to force turnovers on defense. He has really improved as a shooter over the past two years and creates for himself off the dribble. Has D1 interest. Plays club ball with Team Ready. Video highlights RTB profile
Matt Kennedy (2027) 6'3 guard – From New Jersey, Kennedy is a certified bucket getter! A big-time scorer who has attracted LM-MM interest, he holds multiple D1 offers, including Pace. Also visited Rider and has interest from Stonehill. College-ready body, shoots the 3 at an exceptional clip and gets to the basket at will. PH profile RTB profile
Julius Kimani (2027) 7'2 center – From England, Kimani transferred in from Oak Hill Academy (VA). He has tremendous size and shoots the 3 exceptionally well for a center. He rebounds his area very well and improves weekly. Receiving D1 interest, including Hofstra and La Salle. Plays club ball with PSA Cardinals. PH profile RTB profile
Nick Wild (2027) 7'1 center – Wild is a returner and much-improved prospect from England. He played on the HGSL circuit this past season and got himself interest at the D2 and Juco level so far. Ever improving, Wild blocked shots, made 3s and showed programs that he is a valuable piece with a ceiling he hasn’t reached yet. Plays club ball with the SECC All Stars. PH profile
Dabra Kio (2028) 6'8 wing – From Yonkers, NY, this MM+ prospect already holds multiple D1 offers. He is a true perimeter player who can pass and shoot effectively from anywhere on the court. With tremendous timing blocking shots and a knack for playing the passing lanes, he will be a force immediately for Bergeron and that patented pressing defense. Plays club ball with the City Rocks-EYBL. PH profile RTB profile
Abdullah Bamba (2029) 6'7 wing – Arrived this year from Ghana. This Dennis Rodman prototype is an MM+ prospect right now. Bamba guards ANYONE and rebounds well out of his area. The southpaw shot blocker is a menace on the glass and scores in a variety of ways. A relentless worker, his ceiling is way up there.
Rocky Johnson (2029) 6'4 point guard – Johnson is a lead guard from Philadelphia who will launch himself on the New England scene and to the top of the region’s 2029 class. Talent and potential all over the place for this future high-major star. Plays club ball with PSA Cardinals-EYBL.
William Biney (2030) 7'2 center – From Ghana, Biney played up on the EYBL shoe circuit 15u team this year. The southpaw has great size and length. William finishes well around the basket, has great hands, rebounds well, is an able passer and will make a 3. Plays club ball with PSA Cardinals. Projected as an MM+ prospect.
2026-27 game schedule and results can be found by clicking here