2024-25 Putnam Science Elite Player Profiles
Putnam Science Academy is one of the premier prep school programs in the nation. It has won the National Prep School Championship Tournament four times since 2018. Although last March they lost to Link Year Prep in the finals of that championship, they still earned the 2023-24 #1 national computer ranking for their overall season’s performance.
In recent years, Coach Tom Espinosa has brought in so much talent that they have run three teams of college prep talent. Espinosa head coaches the top team, Putnam Science Academy Prep. Aaron Lorenzo coaches the second team, aka, Putnam Science Academy Elite. Coach Lorenzo was an All State basketball player for Bacon High (CT). He graduated in 2014 and went on to continue his playing career at UConn Avery Point. This will be his first year head coaching the Elite team. They will compete in the Power 5 AA Division. The team’s 2024-25 game schedule and results can be found by clicking here.
Below, we profile the 2024-25 Putnam Science Academy Elite player profiles (click on the player’s name to pull up his profile)
David Djan (2029) 6’8, 220lb center from Ghana, Africa - Djan’s potential is sky-high. A great athlete who is an extremely hard worker. He can finish around the rim, rebound and protect the paint.
Maksym Shepel (2025) 6’7, 210lb forward from Cherkassy, Ukraine - Strong big man who can score in the post and make the right pass. He loves to compete and can protect the rim defensively. A leader.
Javelle Epps (2025) 6’5, 170lb small forward from Long Island, NY - A lengthy guard who can score off the bounce and from spotting up. A good athlete who looks to play above the rim when he can.
Dominick LaDuca (2025) 5’8, 165lb point guard from Hartford, CT - Elite shooter off the dribble and off the catch. Can run off screens and knock down jumpers. Quick off the dribble and can get to the rim.
Steven Brown (2025) 6’1, 185lb guard from Chicago, IL - A tough combo guard from Chicago. He can post up smaller guards and punish them with his strength and high-level footwork. Can also step outside and knock down shots from the perimeter. Solid off the dribble and getting to the rim. Good one on one defender. DOG!
Aiden Lacey (2025) 6’5, 185lb small forward from London, UK - Great athlete who likes to run the floor and play above the rim. He can also space the floor and knock down 3’s.
Jacob Wang (2025) 6’4, 180lb small forward from Roslyn, NY - Extremely high IQ player who always makes the right play. A knock down shooter who has the ability to put it on the floor. Can play in any system because he is so versatile and the way he thinks the game. 3.9 gpa
Naim Mouzom (2025) 6’3, 170lb guard from South Plainfield, NJ - Slasher who likes to get downhill. He can handle the basketball and has great quickness. Good one-on-one defender.
Jude Gonzalez (2025) 5’11, 170lb point guard from South Windsor, CT—Extremely quick guard who likes to get downhill and get to the rim but can also run off-ball screens and knock down jumpers. A great passer as well. Can see the whole floor. Leader. Plays AAU with NY Lightning. 3.8 gpa
Lazarus Mason (2025) 6’3 guard from Atlanta, GA - Mason is an electric guard who plays hard on both ends of the court. He can create a shot for himself and others. He can both get downhill or spot up and shoot from 3. He is usually guarding the best player on the other team.
Michael Olorunsola (2025) 5’10, 160lb point guard from London, Ontario - Great handler of the basketball. Likes to break people down off the dribble and get into the midrange or get to the basket.
Chris Young (2025) 6’0, 170lb guard from West Hempstead, NY - A pass-first point guard who can see the floor well. Always brings energy and lifts the team up. A great team guy and a very smart player.
Amyas Hall-Chiari (2028) 6’2 guard from Worcester, MA - Young and full of promise. Smart player and good athlete who can get a bucket one on one and hit spot up 3’s. Plays AAU with Expressions. 3.4gpa
Martyn Poliuchovic (2026) 6’2 guard from Ukraine - Confident, knock-down shooter with a quick release. A great competitor as well.
Michael Therrien (2027) 6’7 forward from Woodstock, CT - Big man who can score in the post and is working on extending his range out to the 3 point line. 3.5 gpa
Octavius Wheeler (2025) 6’2 guard from Worcester, MA - Wheeler is an under-control guard who loves to break people down off the dribble and get to the rim. He also does a great job of setting others up and making the right play. He can spot up and shoot as well.