BOSTON — With some foresight and a little gas, a sports fan in New England had a chance to see the stars of tomorrow today this week.
Several players, all under the age of 24, who could have a huge impact on the future of their sports played in New England in person over this holiday weekend.
Friday
James Hagens, Ryan Leonard Boston College hockey
vs. Providence at Conte Forum — Hagens, an Eagle freshman, is either No. 1 or No. 2 in most NHL mock drafts. He had a goal in Friday’s 3-0 win over the Friars.
Leonard, the Capitals’ No. 8 overall pick in 2023 draft, is coming off of MVP honors at the World Junior Championships. The Amherst native, who turns 20 on Tuesday, also had a goal against the Friars.
Saturday
Duke’s Cooper Flagg reacts to a Blue Devils basket during the Duke vs. Boston College men’s basketball game on January 18, 2025 at Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill, Mass.Katie Morrison-O’Day
Cooper Flagg, Duke men’s Basketball
vs. BC at Conte Forum — The Duke freshman, who is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft, lived up to his considerable hype when the Blue Devils played at Boston College on Saturday night.
In front of quite a few Maine residents, who trekked down to see their favorite son, Flagg had 28 points, five rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals in front of scouts from 14 NBA teams. He showed willingness to seek and play through contact going to the basket and made 9 of 11 free throws.
Sunday
To pull off this look ahead road-trip to the fullest, fans needed a busy Sunday going to Storrs, Connecticut for a 1 p.m. up to Springfield for an 8 p.m. tipoff.
Paige Bueckers leads the No. 4 UConn Huskies against Juju Watkins and the No. 7 USC Trojans today. This game is available on multiple streaming services for free. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)AP
Paige Bueckers, UConn women’s basketball
vs. Seton Hall at Storrs — Anyone who headed south to Connecticut saw UConn’s latest star scorer her 2,000th career point. Bueckers, who is all but assured of being the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft had 18 points in the Huskies’ 96-36 evisceration of Seton Hall.
AJ Dybantsa, BYU-bound high school star
at Hoop Hall Classic — A lot can change in a year, but right now, Dybantsa, a BYU-bound Brockton native who is in prep school in Utah, is the projected No. 1 college recruit in the country and a likely lottery pick next year.
He and Utah Prep took part in this weekend’s Hoop Hall Classic and had 25 points in a loss to Monteverde Prep, which coincidentally is Flagg’s alma mater.
Monday
San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) controls the puck against the Calgary Flames during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)AP
Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks
at Bruins — The former Boston University star is on pace to go from being the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft to the 2025 Calder Trophy winner for rookie of the year. The Athletic ranked him as the No. 1 player under 23.
He made his return to Boston on Sunday. He’s had a strong season with 13 goals and 19 assists, but was quiet on Sunday. Other than dominating on faceoffs (12 wins on 17 draws), he was a minus-2 in San Jose’s 6-3 loss to Boston.
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BOSTON, MA – JULY 25: Boston Red Sox second-round draft pick Roman Anthony looks on as he batting practice after signing a contract with the club on July 25, 2022 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)Getty Images
Extend the calendar a bit and the list lengthens.
Red Sox minor league outfielder Roman Anthony, the consensus top prospect in all of baseball, was in Boston this week for Red Sox rookie development camp and Fenway Fest.
Tim Stutzle, who the Athletic ranked as the No. 3 hockey player under 23 will be at TD Garden with the Senators on Thursday.
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