Tarczewski Takes Top Spot

February 9th, 2012
New England Recruiting Report

Kaleb Tarczewski and Steven Adams sit atop the newly updated Massachusetts 2012 rankings.

The battle for the top spot in Massachusetts could also be described as the battle between the two best pure centers in the country.

St. Mark’s Kaleb Tarczewski and Notre Dame Prep’s Steven Adams are ranked fifth and sixth respectively in the most recent ESPNU100 and first and second in the recently updated Massachusetts 2012 rankings. 

While different in a variety of ways, Tarczewski and Adams are similar because they are true centers, both big and powerful, and able to anchor the team’s interior efforts on both ends of the court.

For as anticipated and successful as Adams’ debut has been thus far, Tarczewski has had a stellar season thus far.  He is playing the best basketball of his career, not only putting up individual statistics but also making his teammates better with his passing ability from the post and shot-blocking on the defensive end. 

King Philip forward Jake Layman is undeniably the top prospect in the MIAA and currently the third highest rated prospect in the state.  He is followed by St. Mark’s scoring swingman Nikolas Stauskas and Notre Dame Prep’s scoring guard Myles Davis.

The rest of the top ten consists of Davis’ backcourt mate Sam Cassell Jr., Charlestown native and Winchendon swingman Akosa Maduegbunam, a third Notre Dame Prep guard in Adonis Filer, and a pair of big men from Northfield Mount Hermon in Evan Cummins and Ethan ODay. 

In total the top 25 prospects in Massachusetts consists of: 16 players who are committed to a division I program; 10 New England natives; 3 players who are committed to a division II program; 6 players who are still uncommitted; and 2 players currently competed in the MIAA.

To view Massachusetts’ 2012 rankings in their entirety please click here.