Here are 10 players to watch in D-II high school boys basketball this season
Here's where some boys basketball dreams outside of Division I tend to come true.
Division II has been a breeding ground for upsets in just about every state tournament over the last decade. Middletown was the latest to crash the party in 2022-23, reaching the semifinals in a loaded field that included Bishop Hendricken, La Salle and East Providence.
The Islanders have the firepower for another run to March, but they aren’t the defending league champions. That distinction belongs to Johnston, which suffered several key graduation losses but retains enough depth to be a tough out on any given night.
Lincoln, Shea, St. Raphael, Tolman and a few select others make it a deep talent pool in this league. The Raiders, Saints and Rogers were among teams that won state tournament games as last spring approached. Let’s take a look at 10 players who could drive another upstart run over the next few months:
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Jaymien Aponte, Cranston West
Senior, Forward
Aponte boasts a solid all-around skillset while helping to lead the Falcons. He can handle the ball on the wing, score in the paint and rebound at both ends — that variety makes him a tough matchup for any opponent.
Michael Carlino, Johnston
Senior, Guard
The Panthers graduated some stars, and that means opportunity for Carlino. He’s likely to assume a more assertive perimeter role and should be up to the challenge thanks to his 3-point shooting touch and veteran presence.
Camden DiChiara, Lincoln
Senior, Guard
DiChiara is a natural, and footwork is his calling card. He’s the state singles runner-up in boys tennis and a lead guard who can break his opponents down as he pleases off the dribble. DiChiara was named to the Division II second team last season.
Roberto Figueras, Middletown
Senior, Guard
You can’t place a value on helping a team reach the state’s biggest stage. Figueras did that last season as the Islanders took out Barrington in the state tournament quarterfinals and played in front of what felt like half their town at the Ryan Center.
Isiah Gois, Tolman
Senior, Guard
The Tigers upset city rival Shea to open the Division II tournament and made the Raiders sweat out an invitation to the state bracket. Gois helped lead the charge — his all-around game is built on strength, toughness and fearlessness.
Manny Ibidapo, Shea
Senior, Forward
Don’t jump at the rim with this guy. You could wind up in a poster with a dunk on your head. Ibidapo is worth the price of admission on any given night, an electric athlete who attacks whenever he sees a chance.
Wayne McNamara, Lincoln
Senior, Forward
The next step for McNamara — become one of the state’s five best players. He's already reached that level in Division II, earning a selection to the first team last season. The Lions could make a deep March run behind this athletic left-hander.
Nolan Serafin, Burrillville
Senior, Forward
The Broncos count a constant double-double threat in the veteran forward. He was named to the Division II-A first team last season and will be the paint foundation as Burrillville looks for a return to the league playoffs.
Griffin Sward, South Kingstown
Junior, Forward
Sward is battling an injury to open the season, but he should be an immediate factor upon his return. He was named to the Division II-D first team as a sophomore with the Rebels and would be a likely choice to lead them in scoring on any night.
NeAri Vasquez, Johnston
Senior, Forward
Vasquez netted 14 points in the Division II title game against Middletown and helped the Panthers earn the No. 3 seed in the state tournament. He’ll be expected to help them continue what has been a strong recent run of success.
On X: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 10 players to watch in D-II boys basketball this season
