2025-26 Putnam Science Academy Elite Team Player Profiles
Putnam Science Academy is arguably the premier prep school program in the nation. It has won the National Prep School Championship Tournament five times since 2018. Their National team has also earned the #1 national computer ranking for their overall season’s performance for both of the past two years of that rankings’ existence.
One of the biggest consequences of the rise of the NCAA transfer portal is that it has shifted a lot of the college coaching staffs’ scouting and recruiting into checking out each other’s upper classmen, at the expense of scouting and recruiting of rising freshmen. That, in turn, is causing the “on-deck circle” of younger players waiting to get their first college uniform to swell in numbers. As a response, the highest level college prep programs like Putnam Science have responded by adding one or more teams to their college development process. The trend is so significant that multiple new prep conferences have sprung up in the last couple of years.
Putnam Science Elite is one of those second teams. They are so stacked that they are one of the second teams that will occasionally crack the Nation’s Top 100 computer rankings. They compete in the New England Independent Prep League with nine other high level college prep programs that are providing the same multi-team opportunity to promising college-prospect student athletes.
Putnam Science Academy Elite Team is head coached by Aaron Lorenzo. Lorenzo is in his second year as head coach for the Elite. He also is an assistant for PSA’s national team. Prior to being at Putnam, he was head coach at Lyman Memorial High (MA) for two years and has been a player-development trainer at Progression Training for the last five years. He played his college basketball at Avery Point under James Childs where he earned All-Region honors.
The team’s 2025-26 game schedule and results can be found by clicking here.. The players are profiled below.
(Clicking on the player’s highlighted name will bring up his profile)
#0 Loyiso Mangcu (2026) 6’0 guard - From Pretoria, South Africa. An extremely strong player who isn’t afraid to mix it up. He can do a little bit of everything for his team including handling the ball, rebounding, defending and knocking down shots. His strength makes him a legit threat to bully defenders on his way to getting to the rim and finishing. 3.8 gpa
#1 Max Pires (2026) 6’3 small forward - From Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. Pires is an extremely hard worker with a knack for rebounding and finishing around the rim. He seems to always be in the right spot because of his strong instincts for the game. He takes on the challenge of guarding the other teams top players and comes in every single day looking to get better. He’s a kid every coach wants to have.
#2 Ethan Mvundura (2027) 6’3 guard - From Vancouver, Canada. A very smooth guard who can play on and off the ball. He knows how to make smart cuts and knock down catch and shoot threes but can also run an offense with the ball in his hands. Mvundura also possesses a lot of creative moves to get around his defender and get to the basket.
#3 Amyas Hall-Chiari (2028) 6’3 guard - From Worcester, Massachusetts. Hall-Chiari is a skilled guard who can score in many ways. He is a reliable catch and shoot threat and has the athleticism to blow by defenders off the dribble. With that athleticism he uses it to create a lot of havoc with his on-ball defense.
#4 Vadim Brezillion (2026) 6’3 guard - From Paris, France. An electric 3 level scorer. He has a great pull up jumper from mid-range and three and has the ability to get to finish at the rim. Brezillion also has the ability to guard the other team’s best player. He brings a lot of fire and passion to the game.
#5 Ethan Graham (2027) 6’3 guard - From Franklin, Connecticut. Graham is a coach’s dream. He can do whatever you need him to do. He can score the ball, rebound, handle, defend, take charges, etc. Every night he is the hardest working kid on the court and is a leader with a great attitude. 4.1 gpa
#7 Byron Stevens (2026) 6’1 guard - From London, England. Stevens is a true lock down defender who has elite quickness defending the ball. His quick hands and fast feet make him a true threat to any ball handler. He also has a quality handle and good vision. His ability to see the floor makes him an awesome passer who can set guys up constantly while also being able to get by defenders and score at the rim. 3.5 gpa
#10 Martyn Poliuchovic (2026) 6’3 guard - From Kyiv, Ukraine. Poliuchovic is a lights-out shooter who can run off screens and hand offs to get shots off with a lightning quick release. He has expanded his game into a player who can now handle the ball against pressure and run an offense. He also possesses an elite competitive mindset that allows him to push him and his teammates every day in practice. 3.8 gpa
#11 Ryan Sun (2028) 6’3 guard - From Melbourne, Australia. Sun is a shooting threat from wherever he is on the floor. He can knock down contested catch and shoot jumpers off screens or pull-up jumpers as well. He is a hard-worker who is extremely competitive and gives his best effort every time he steps onto the floor. 3.8 gpa
#14 Ari Ramos (2027) 6’0 guard - From Cumberland, Rhode Island. Ramos is a knock down shooter who can let it fly from range. His high IQ allows him to be in the right spot all of the time on both ends of the floor. Ramos also possesses a good handle that allows him to handle pressure and run an offense. He is a great communicator and a leader in practice. 3.8 gpa
#21 Aleksa Dzimric (2026) 6’6 guard - From Izola, Slovenia. Dzimric has a polished handle that allows him to get anywhere he wants on the court. At his size he can create a lot of mismatches with smaller guards allowing him to get to the rim. He is also a willing passer who can create for his teammates and has the ability to shoot the ball. 3.7 gpa
#23 Michael Therrien (2027) 6’8 forward - From Pomfret, Connecticut. Therrien is a tremendous rebounder who also can alter opponents’ shots at the rim when contesting. He runs the floor and can finish at the rim. When left open, he can also knock down the three ball. 3.8 gpa
#24 Sterling Manigault (2027) 6’6 forward- From Fairfield, Connecticut. Manigault is a kid with an extremely high motor. He is extremely physical, making a true threat for offensive and defensive rebounds. He runs the floor well and finishes at the rim. He also has the ability to cover multiple positions. He is a great kid who will do anything that is asked of him and will do it to the best of his ability.
#33 Thomas Ma (2028) 6’7 forward - From Nanking, China. Ma is a high IQ player who has a strong post-up game. He can score and make passes that lead to assists or hockey assists. It seems like he is always 1 or 2 plays ahead. He battles down low and can knock down jump shots.
#34 Stanislaw Nowakowski (2027) 6’5 small forward - From Zurich, Switzerland. A really high motor athlete that has the ability to finish above the rim. He is also a catch and shoot threat and his athleticism allows him to be a great defender on and off the ball. Nowakowski also possesses a winning attitude that allows him to get better every single day. 4.1 gpa
#35 Justin Ciobanu (2026) 6’3 small forward - From Pisa, Italy. Ciobanu is a sniper from long range. He has the ability to shoot running off screens or from a stand still. His size and long arms allow him to shoot over defenders with ease. He can also be physical and use his size to score on smaller defenders inside. 4.0 gpa