PUTNAM, Conn. - Elijah Hutchins-Everett was on the fast track to a spot on a major Division I basketball program, but not everything works out according to plan.

The 7-foot center’s stock took a tumble in the past year and now he’s looking to bring it back this winter at Putnam Science Academy.

“Elijah has a real bright future,” Putnam head coach Tom Espinosa said. “He’s going to be good this year, and then next year, he’s going to be phenomenal.

“He used to be a top 50 kid and then he kind of dropped for whatever reason … but he has potential to be a top 50 kid again.”

After starting his high school career at Immaculate Conception, Hutchins-Everett decided to reinvent himself at the New England prep school.