Liam MacKenzie – Student Reporter
North Andover, MA – With Merrimack Men’s Basketball continuing to reshape its roster ahead of the 2026-27 season, head coach Joe Gallo has officially announced four incoming freshmen who will join the Warriors this fall. While the program’s five transfer additions have already been highlighted, this group of freshmen provides Merrimack with a blend of scoring, playmaking, size and long-term potential as the Warriors continue to build toward the upcoming season.
To view Merrimack Men’s Basketball’s official announcement and signing photos of the four incoming freshmen, click here: https://x.com/merrimackmbb/status/2069781598342410378?s=46&t=D1BndPX2_n14DAImj8C_sQ
First Freshman: Ayden Johnson – Starting off Merrimack’s incoming freshman class is guard Ayden Johnson from Greensboro, North Carolina. Johnson arrives in North Andover after an outstanding career at Caldwell Academy, where he established himself as one of North Carolina’s top guards. As a senior, Johnson averaged 20.4 points, 3.3 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game while shooting an efficient 53 percent from the field and 43 percent from beyond the arc.
Johnson earned NCISAA All-State and PTAC All-Conference honors during his campaign and finished as the runner-up for his conference’s Player of the Year award. He closed out his high school career with 2,025 career points and 296 made three-pointers, giving Merrimack another proven perimeter scorer capable of stretching the floor.
Second Freshman: Amare Guerra – The next player in Merrimack’s incoming freshman class is guard Amare Guerra from San Antonio, Texas. Few newcomers boast a résumé as decorated as Guerra’s. He concluded his career at Antonian Prep as the city’s all-time leading scorer, cementing himself as one of Texas’ most accomplished high school players.
A two-time Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) First Team All-State selection, Guerra averaged 31 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals per game as a senior. He finished his high school career with more than 3,200 points while also surpassing 600 rebounds, 400 assists, and 400 steals.
His scoring ability and all-around production make him one of the most intriguing additions in Merrimack’s freshman class.
Third Freshman: Rocco Westfield – Also joining Merrimack’s incoming freshman class is guard Rocco Westfield from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Westfield arrives after helping Father Judge High School establish itself as one of Pennsylvania’s premier basketball programs. He also comes from familiar territory, as Father Judge previously produced former Merrimack standouts Kevair Kennedy and Ernest Shelton.
Westfield averaged 11.5 points and 4.2 assists per game as a senior while shooting 38 percent from three-point range. He earned Second Team All-Philadelphia Catholic League honors and helped lead Father Judge to consecutive Philadelphia Catholic League championships along with a PIAA Class 6A State Championship. He was also recognized as the Northeast Times Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
His championship experience and ability to facilitate the offense should provide valuable depth in Merrimack’s backcourt.
Final Freshman: JP Skoric – Rounding out Merrimack’s incoming freshman class is forward JP Skoric, a 6-foot-8 forward from Ridgewood, New Jersey. Skoric arrives from Don Bosco Prep, one of the nation’s premier high school basketball programs.
As a senior, Skoric averaged 17 points, six rebounds and two assists per game while earning All-State Honorable Mention recognition. Standing 6-foot-8 with versatility on both ends of the floor, Skoric gives the Warriors another frontcourt option capable of making an impact as he develops at the collegiate level.
Looking Ahead – Although Merrimack’s transfer portal additions have generated much of the offseason attention, this freshman class provides another important piece of the program’s future. Johnson and Guerra bring proven scoring ability, Westfield adds championship experience and playmaking, while Skoric offers size and versatility in the frontcourt.
Combined with the five transfer additions that have already been introduced, Merrimack has assembled a well-rounded nine-player incoming class that positions the Warriors to compete in the MAAC while continuing to build for the future.
