New England District Select – Middle School Standouts
- aauselecttour
- Aug 28
- 6 min read
Date: August 16, 2025
Location: The Mill Works (Westford, MA)
The AAU Select Tour made its way to Massachusetts for the New England District Select Camp, and the atmosphere inside The Mill Works was electric. The middle school division featured an impressive group of young athletes who brought skill, energy, and a hunger to compete from start to finish. Throughout the day, players were evaluated in drills, skill stations, competitive matchups, and live gameplay.
Our staff focused on the traits that always translate to the next level: effort, coachability, basketball IQ, and the ability to make an impact on both ends of the floor. After careful discussion, we highlighted a group of players who consistently separated themselves with their performance. As always, not being listed here does not take away from the value many other athletes showed. Every player in the gym had strong moments, and our staff takes pride in knowing that all participants left camp with tools to continue their growth.
Below are the Middle School “Standouts of the Stop” from the New England District Select Camp. The High School edition will follow soon.
Jeremiah Minus
Class of 2030 | New Heights Charter School | 5’9”
Jeremiah is a complete player who impacts the game in every possible way. In transition, he is electric, using his speed and handle to go coast-to-coast in a flash. His ball control is elite for his size, and he manipulates defenses by attacking seams and creating better driving angles. He is fearless at the rim, finishing through contact and showing the ability to score on all three levels. On defense, his length and size allow him to rebound effectively and block shots while also pressuring the perimeter. Jeremiah plays with a great motor and pace, blending flash with efficiency in his game. His versatility and energy make him one of the most exciting prospects on the floor.
Ethan Dearborn
Class of 2030 | Dover Sherborn Middle School | 5’9”
Ethan brings a strong driving ability and plays with great pace, always keeping defenders guessing. He is creative off the bounce, showing a real knack for manipulating defenses and creating openings for himself or his teammates. In transition, he is aggressive going downhill and finds ways to convert tough finishes at the rim. His vision is an asset, as he reads the floor well and sets others up for high-percentage looks. On the defensive end, Ethan matches his offensive energy by applying constant pressure and using his athleticism to disrupt plays. He embraces challenges on both sides of the ball and competes with a determination that stands out. Ethan’s blend of creativity, strength, and unselfish play makes him a dynamic two-way guard with a bright future.
Liam Chalif
Class of 2030 | Amherst Regional Middle School | 5’5”
Liam is a crafty guard with a great feel for the game and a creative ability to finish plays. He has a natural touch around the rim, using one-foot finishes effectively and staying composed in traffic. With his head always up, Liam looks to attack defenses, create separation, and generate scoring opportunities for himself or teammates. His passion for the game is clear in the way he competes every possession. He plays with pace and is confident making reads against defenders who try to speed him up. Defensively, his effort and awareness allow him to hold his own against bigger and stronger players. Liam’s combination of skill and determination makes him a guard to watch as he continues to develop.
Landon Sheldon
Class of 2030 | R.C. Mahar | 5’8”
Landon is a big, strong guard who plays with poise and confidence beyond his years. He excels at getting to the rim and finishing with a combination of strength and patience. His shooting form is smooth, and when given time, he has the rhythm to knock down shots with consistency. Landon shows strong footwork near the basket, using pivots and step-throughs to create quality looks against defenders. He is an active rebounder who battles for position and secures possessions for his team. On top of his skill set, his passion and love for the game shine through in the way he plays. Landon’s physical tools and mature approach make him a guard with tremendous upside.
Malek Ibrahim
Class of 2031 | Vincent J. Gallagher Middle School | 5’0”
Malek is a high-IQ guard who plays with exceptional control and composure for his age. In transition, his speed and feel allow him to carve up defenses and create opportunities. Around the rim, he has an advanced touch, often using floaters to score over taller defenders. He is a disruptive on-ball defender, constantly putting pressure on opposing guards and forcing mistakes. What stands out most is his vision, as he consistently sets teammates up with passes that put them in great positions to score. Malek impacts the game in multiple ways, never forcing the action but always finding ways to influence both ends of the court. His balance of poise, playmaking, and defensive energy makes him a complete young guard with an exciting future.
John Arena
Class of 2030 | Ricci Middle School | 5’6”
John is an impressive blend of size, speed, and effort that makes him tough to handle at this stage of development. When attacking downhill, he is a load to stop and plays with an intensity that keeps defenders on their heels. Defensively, he embraces physical play and uses his frame well to pressure the ball and cut off driving lanes. On the boards, he shows a natural instinct for positioning and has a knack for coming up with rebounds in traffic. His work ethic is undeniable, as he competes on every possession and plays with a high motor. John’s toughness and all-around effort make him a consistent impact player who coaches love to have on the floor.
Carter Thompson
Class of 2030 | Nessacu Regional Middle School | 5’5”
Carter has the rare ability to turn defense into offense in a heartbeat. His long arms, active hands, and endless motor make him a nightmare for opposing guards, as he creates turnovers and pressure constantly. Defensively, his intensity is the type that every coach dreams of, as he never lets up and always sets the tone for his team. In transition, Carter uses his speed and length to finish plays or create for others, often catching defenses off guard. He thrives on disrupting the rhythm of opponents and generating easy scoring chances. Even at a young age, his conditioning and effort allow him to make plays throughout the entire game. With his athletic tools and defensive instincts, Carter has tremendous upside as a two-way threat.
Emmett Owens
Class of 2030 | Amherst Regional Middle School | 6’1”
Emmett stands out immediately with his size and strength, using his frame to attack the rim at will. Despite his build, he has a soft shooting touch and range that extends beyond the paint, making him a versatile scorer. He competes hard on both ends, using his size to defend effectively and guard multiple positions. Offensively, he puts constant pressure on defenses, drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line consistently. His ability to convert at the stripe makes him even more valuable as a go-to option. Emmett’s willingness to work, combined with his unique size and skill set, makes him a tough matchup and an exciting prospect.
Cullen Murray
Class of 2031 | West Springfield Middle School | 5’3”
Cullen is a guard with serious speed who thrives at playing with tempo. He has impressive control of his ability to change gears, blowing by defenders and attacking seams with confidence. Around the rim, he is a crafty finisher, using creative angles and the backboard to convert despite size disadvantages. Cullen has a promising shot and looks comfortable pulling up when given space. On defense, he is relentless, pressuring the ball and speeding up opposing guards with his quickness and footwork. His ability to bring consistent energy on both ends makes him a spark plug that coaches can rely on. Cullen’s pace, toughness, and creativity give him all the tools to keep growing into a dynamic guard.
Michael Vargas
Class of 2030 | Walsh Middle School | 5’6”
Michael is a skilled guard who excels at attacking defenses with angles and patience. He is a reliable finisher around the rim, using touch and control to score against bigger players. His midrange jumper is another weapon, as he finds space to rise up when the lane is crowded. From beyond the arc, he shows confidence as a capable three-point shooter. Michael’s ball handling keeps him under control, allowing him to pick the right moments to drive and create plays. Defensively, he works hard and competes every possession, never backing down from challenges. His combination of skill, composure, and toughness makes him an exciting all-around prospect.
The Middle School Division at the New England District Select Camp was filled with talent and potential, and this group of standouts left a lasting impression on our staff. Each player demonstrated a unique mix of skill, energy, and competitiveness, showing the type of qualities that translate to success at the next level. From high-motor guards to versatile scorers and strong interior players, the future of basketball in this region is in great hands.
As always, the purpose of the AAU Select Tour is not just to recognize standout performances but to provide every athlete with an opportunity to compete, grow, and learn. The effort we saw from all players at The Mill Works was a reminder of why this platform is so valuable for development. We are excited to follow these young athletes as they continue to grow, and we look forward to releasing the High School Standouts from this stop soon.