Antonio Pemberton, the No. 33 overall recruit in the 2027 class, has narrowed his college choices to eight schools.
The 6-foot-1 scoring guard from Hanover (Mass.) The Master's Academy International listed Boston College, Creighton, Kansas, Marquette, Michigan State, Ohio State, Tennessee and UCLA among his finalists. Of that group, he has taken only one official visit so far, going to Marquette.
Pemberton has built his reputation as a high-volume scorer, and 247Sports Director of Scouting Adam Finkelstein described him as a guard who can take over a game with the ball in his hands. Finkelstein noted that Pemberton averaged 24 points per game during the 3SSB season and also added 4.3 assists, but his game is driven first by scoring and the freedom to hunt shots.
He’s not the biggest guard on the floor, but he has made a habit of producing anyway. Finkelstein pointed to Pemberton’s ability to carry the Mass Rivals to the finals of the 3SSB Summer Championships, along with a shot-making package built around pull-ups from mid-range and beyond the arc, a smooth release, and enough touch to finish with floaters and on the rim.
Pemberton also gets to the line often, shooting 79% on 7 attempts per game, and he brings a crafty handle that helps him create separation with multiple moves and changes of pace. He has an excellent left hand and can use small bumps to make room off the dribble.
The next step, according to Finkelstein, is learning how to adapt that scoring skill set to a higher level. That means quicker decisions, more work off the ball, and becoming just as dangerous as a catch-and-shoot threat as he is when he’s creating his own look. Finkelstein also said Pemberton has shown flashes as a passer and could create more for teammates if he leans into the gravity his scoring creates.
On defense, Pemberton brings active hands, good footwork and an early feel for verticality, but his size will still make him a target in certain matchups. Even so, Finkelstein said his competitiveness stands out. Pemberton plays with intensity and fire, and while that edge can sometimes run hot, it usually helps separate him from the pack.
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