By ZACH SMART
EMERSON GA— Authoring a wild national ascent in which he’s earned in the vicinity of 20+ Division-I offers following a breakout performance at NBPA Top 100 Camp last month, Class of 2026 Newman School (MA) and Middlesex Magic forward Quinn Costello’s summer tear continued this weekend.
With Texas head coach Sean Miller, Boston College head coach Earl Grant and assistants from Purdue, Illinois, Texas A & M, Maryland, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Virginia Tech and others watching, Costello scored a game-best 23 points and grabbed six boards to propel the Middlesex Magic to a thorough 66-42 throttling of Atlanta XPress at the Lake Point Indoor Pavilion.
A 6-foot-10 floor spreader, Costello knocked down three consecutive three-pointers during the first half.
He levitated above the rim for multiple authoritative finishes and showed an ability to score in traffic and through contact.
After piling up offers from the likes of North Carolina, Michigan, Wisconsin, Wake Forest, Vanderbilt, Syracuse, Michigan State, Virginia Tech, Providence, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Purdue, Iowa, Minnesota, Harvard and a barrage of others, Costello is suddenly one of the most highly coveted recruits in the country.
“I’m super grateful for everyone that has been recruiting me,” said Costello, who shot 13-for-27 from beyond the arc and registered his lob finishing presence during the aforementioned NBPA Top 100 Camp. “I’m definitely going to schedule some visits soon. Right now I’m focused on winning this championship with my guys.”
As for his rapid evolution, Costello cited his work ethic and confidence as vital factors in everything playing out as it has.
“I feel like I’ve always been known to have a high ceiling. To have high potential. Now I am starting to really see the confidence come into it,” Costello said. “It’s been great. I’ve been in the gym a ton with my high school coach (at The Newman School) the last couple of months.”
The Newman School will have lofty expectations to repeat as NEPSAC AAA champions. The program returns Costello and 6-foot-7 2026 Lucas Morillo, who was AAA Boys Player of the Year this past season.
Morillo, a double double threat with a versatile skill set, holds offers from NC State, Marquette, UCLA, Virginia Tech, Virginia, Ole Miss, Illinois, and several others.
Led by Costello, a slick passing 2026 point guard in Ryan Moesch, and several others, the Middlesex Magic are again one of the country’s top-shelf 17U teams.
“I think it is just the brotherhood,” Costello said. “We’re not like any other AAU team. We practice together two times a week. We have a really strong bond off the court, which I think is super special.”
SYRACUSE WATCHES 2028 TAI BELL
Syracuse was on hand on Friday to see one of the country’s transcendent young talents in 2028 guard Tai Bell, of Mater Lakes Academy (FL) and SOH Elite.
Bell, a 6-foot-3 guard, is a prolific scoring threat with an off-the-dribble arsenal and an adeptness for sticking difficult, highly-contested shots and getting into the teeth of the defense.
Bell already holds offers from the likes of Kansas State, Syracuse, Florida State, Dayton, Florida International, St. Bonaventure, and others.
Purdue, Miami, and several others have been expressing interest in Bell.
He is the younger brother of highly acclaimed 2026 quarterback and Texas football commit Dia Bell and the son of former Phoenix Suns guard Raja Bell. Bell’s ability to create space and knock down shots on the move was evident on Friday.
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