Where do Worcester area's top college basketball players compete in the summer? This league

MILLIS — Growing up just outside of Boston, it took a little while for Njavan Stewart to warm up to Worcester.

A four-year basketball player at Newton South High School, Stewart walked on to the Assumption University men’s basketball team in 2020. Since then, he has become more comfortable in Worcester while making his mark as one of the up-and-coming players in the Northeast-10 Conference.

“The city grew on me,” Stewart said. “Really great place, humble place.”

Last season, the 6-foot-5 guard from Newton felt at home on the court with the Hounds when he averaged 13.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, while shooting 40.9% from beyond the arc.

“He started out as a guy who people literally were like ‘Oh, he’s just a walk-on at Assumption,’ and now he might be the best player on his team,” said Keene State student assistant Spencer Mirken, a friend of Stewart. “Now, he’s looking to be one of the best guys in the NE-10.”

On Monday, Stewart was one of 11 players who either currently plays college basketball in the Worcester area — or is originally from Worcester County — to take part in Mirken’s pickup league that has become the top spot for New England basketball players to compete during the summer months.

“It’s cool to meet all different kinds of people from different schools. I’ve met some kids that I'm going to be friends with forever, especially here at Spencer’s runs,” Stewart said. “There are a lot of basketball players I’ve known about but I wasn’t familiar with. There’s a lot of diamonds (in the rough) that people don’t know about, but they’re going to know about them after they come to Spencer’s runs.”

Spencer Mirken’s summer runs become a hit with local basketball players

During the summer of 2020, Mirken struggled to find places to play pickup basketball games. The Millis resident and former Holliston High basketball player could only find sessions that cost roughly $50 to play.

So Mirken started to organize his own pickup games. Free of charge.

“I just wanted to play basketball, especially during COVID,” Mirken said in 2021. “It was my senior year, and I needed to step it up. People were just trying to play basketball, so I gave an opportunity to a lot of kids to do that.”

Four summers later, the 20-year-old student assistant coach with the Keene State men’s basketball team continues to organize some of the best basketball talent from across New England to play against each another during the offseason. He calls his pickup games “spencesummeruns” and his Instagram account has over 2,000 followers.

“Just seeing how much his community has grown with high-level basketball players, even some pros, it’s honestly just fantastic to see him doing his dream,” said L.J. Hicks, a graduate of Murdock High School and current Salem State player.

“He’s creating a good community for basketball,” said John Adams, who grew up in Douglas and currently plays at WPI.

“I can’t believe what it’s turned into,” Mirken added.

Scouting report for some of best college basketball players in Worcester

On Monday, Mirken hosted nearly a dozen players who either grew up in the Worcester area or currently play college hoops in the city (with a few outliers) to play basketball at Millis Town Hall. For a few hours, local hoopsters sharpened their skills before they ship off to college.

So below, we’ve listed each of the players that showed up in Millis and created a mini-scouting report for each person — with the help of Mirken.

John Adams (WPI)

Height: 6-foor-8

Hometown: Douglas

NBA comparison: Steven Adams

Mirken quote: “Your reliable big man who never quits to put your team in a position to win the game. A true paint beast.” 

Noah Beaudet (Emmanuel)

Height: 6 feet

Hometown: Norwood

NBA comparison: JJ Redick

Mirken quote: “He’s somebody who knows their role and thrives at it. Works so incredibly hard and always proves why he’s one of the best shooters on the court.”

Todd Brogna (Stonehill)

Height: 6-foot-7

Hometown: Southborough

NBA comparison: Nikola Jokić

Mirken quote: “A big who is not only a big, but the most dominant player on the court. Does it all and will never quit to win a game. Truly a big guard.”  

Chris Clarke (Clark)

Height: 6-foot-4

Hometown: Brockton

NBA comparison: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Mirken quote: “A long guard who can play multiple positions at a high level. A natural leader who will give any team a fighting chance.”

L.J. Hicks (Salem State)

Height: 5-foot-9

Hometown: Gardner

NBA comparison: Nate Robinson

Mirken quote: “Definition of heart over height. Plays with passion that affects all levels of the game on and off the court.”

Dan Liberatore (Worcester State)

Height: 6-foot-2

Hometown: Hopedale

NBA comparison: Kyle Korver

Mirken quote: “Knock-down shooter. Always ready to shoot as you must always know where he is as he can really fill it up from behind the arc.” 

Jackson McKersie (Middlebury)

Height: 6-foot-8

Hometown: Millis

NBA comparison: Nikola Vucevic

Mirken quote: “A winning big man. Doesn’t need the ball to be successful but when he has it he always makes the right play. Can be an all-star in the right system and never backs down from a matchup.” 

Jabari Nurse (Bates)

Height: 6-foot-5

Hometown: Randolph

NBA comparison: Paul George

Mirken quote: “A big wing who can play any position, has great leadership qualities, is a gym rat and always is up for the challenge to prove why he belongs with the best.”

Khalil Singleton (Holy Cross)

Height: 6-foot-3

Hometown: Portland, Oregon

NBA comparison: James Harden

Mirken quote: “A natural scorer. Has such an unreal feel for the game at three levels. Is able to score and create for not only himself but his teammates, too.”

Bobby Sommers (Amherst)

Height: 6-foot-3

Hometown: Southborough

NBA comparison: Kawhi Leonard

Mirken quote: “May seem quiet but is a true killer. Elite defender who gets to the rim whenever he wants and makes big-time shots.”

Njavan Stewart (Assumption)

Height: 6-foot-5

Hometown: Newton

NBA comparison: Jimmy Butler

Mirken quote: “A true winner. No matter who he plays with he will do everything to win you the game. Mr. Do-It-All as he can do everything out there, proves why he’s one of the best.”

— Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @tommycassell44.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: This pickup basketball league attracts top talent from New England