BOYS BASKETBALL 25 CIAC PLAYERS TO WATCH
Hayden Abdullah, Northwest Catholic, 6-8, Sr., F:
Really came into his own last season. Provides a reliable inside presence for NWC.
Javaun Calhoun, West Haven, 6-6, Sr., F: One of the key returnees from last season’s SCC championship for the Westies.
Rodney Cook, Amistad, 5-11, Sr., G: Will be an impact player for a program that did not play all of last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Donovan Clingan, Bristol Central, 7-0, Sr., C: Reigning GameTimeCT State Player of the Year and future UConn center is impossible for anyone to stop, even with doubleand triple-teams.
Mekhi Conner, Notre Dame (W.H.), 6-0, Jr., G: Point guard returns from the SCC tournament finalists the past three seasons.
Matty Curtis, Northwest Catholic, 6-3, Sr., G: Sharpshooter does it all for NWC and will continue to be an impact player at Fairfield University next season.
Justyn Davis, Fairfield Warde, 6-4, Sr., G: Was an All-FCIAC performer as a sophomore, but missed all of last season. His mere presence makes Warde a bonafide league contender.
Jarel Delgado, Wilbur Cross, 5-9, Jr., G: Part of a 1-2 punch crucial to the Governors’ hopes of recapturing the SCC championship.
Tyler Favre, Hand, 6-5, Sr., F: Averaged a doubledouble last season for the Tigers.
Matt Gibbs, Hillhouse, 6-1, Sr., G: Academics expect a bounce-back season behind
this senior.
Yaniel Hernandez, Fitch, 5-9, Sr., G: Averaging eight rebounds and seven assists, in addition to 17 points, pretty good numbers in the ECC and a steal for Albertus Magnus next season.
Avery Hinnant, Naugatuck, 6-7, Sr., C: One of the best returning big men in the state this season.
James Jones, East Catholic, 6-6, Jr., F: The next great player at East Catholic? Jones has the size and ability to dominate in the CCC.
Jayquan Kirkland, Stratford, 6-3, Sr., G: The SWC’s top returnee coming off a fine football season, too, for
the Red Devils.
Matt Knachel, Ridgefield, 6-0, Sr., G: Tigers will need to hang tight until Knachel recuperates from a broken arm.
Max Manjos, Fairfield Prep, 5-10, Sr., G: Should be the go-to player for the Jesuits this season. Will play at Roger Williams next season.
Christian McClease, Wilbur Cross, 6-4, Jr., G: Another big-time player in the McClease family legacy. Should be able to score at will in the SCC.
Keyshawn Mitchell, Capital Prep, 6-8, Sr., G/F: Ranked 10th among state prospects — including nonCIAC prep school players — by the New England Recruiting Report.
Anthony Nimani, Platt, 6-3, Jr., G: Athletic point guard that will have to put up good numbers again against a schedule that includes Bristol Central, Middletown, Simsbury and Maloney.
Ese Onakpoma, Naugatuck, 6-0, Sr., G: Provides a tremendous 1-2 punch with Hinnant for the Greyhounds, who are looking for their third NVL title in the past three seasons.
Luke Reilly Jr., East Catholic, 6-2, Jr., G: The head coach’s son will have a bigger role after four starters graduated from last season’s team that advanced to the CCC’s top division championship final.
Prince Samuels, Windsor, 6-4, Jr., G/F: A double-double machine for the Warriors and was also a two-way starter for Windsor’s football team that reached the Class L state championship game.
Jeyson Slade, Westhill, 5-6, Sr., G: Smooth guard wants to help Westhill take it one step further this season: to an FCIAC championship.
Ty Staples-Santos, Kolbe Cathedral, 6-0, Sr., G: Smooth guard may have something to say about being the SWC’s best returning player as well.
Elijah Wilborn, Middletown, 6-8, Sr., C: Will be tested early and often in the CCC: Blue Dragons face in succession Maloney, East Catholic, Glastonbury and Bristol Central to start the season.