Program Profiles - Connecticut Elite

Next up in our Program Profiles series is Connecticut Elite, also known as CT Elite.   Based out of Connecticut, CT Elite was established in 2001 and is led by its founder and president, Jason Riccitelli.   Members of the Hoop Group Showcase League, CT Elite is one of the premier youth basketball and development programs in New England.   The program was established to enhance student-athletes' character by developing their appreciation of teamwork, commitment, and personal success, preparing them for future success on the court, in the classroom, and for the challenges of life.   In recent years, they've sent prospects from their programs to all levels of college basketball, including multiple prospects from the most recent class that will be head to scholarship level programs.   Below are five prospects from Connecticut Elite that have stood out so far this spring.    Stoll, a member of the 17U HGSL squad, is a floor spacing forward out of Choate Rosemary Hall in Connecticut. A high academic prospect, he's impressed this spring with his ability to make shots from the perimeter. At 6'8", he has the ability to operate as an athletic stretch four next to a more traditional big man, or could even slide over to the wing in a jumbo lineup. He's a good athlete that can attack the rim as a straight line driver and provides a different element offensively with his ability to pop into space out of ball screens. Defensively, he can guard three positions, has the length needed to be disruptive in passing lanes, and continues to play harder on the defensive glass.     Nash, a member of the 17U HGSL squad, is a playmaking guard out of Avon Old Farms School in Connecticut. One of the better lead guards in New England, he has done a great job of showing his ability to run an offense this spring. He plays at different speeds with the ball in his hands, makes great reads out of ball screens, and has high level floor vision in the half-court. When he doesn't have the ball, he's proven to be a consistent perimeter shooter that can get hot in a hurry from downtown. On the other end of the floor, he does a great job of guarding at the point of attack, forcing opposing ball-handlers to give the ball up early and making it hard for them to get it back.     Goode, a member of the 16U HGSL squad, is a dynamic guard out of the Millbrook School in New York. Newly reclassed and on his way south to New York this fall, he's a creative ball-handler that plays with tons of flair when he has the ball in his hands. While he does a nice job of keeping defenders off balance, he's also proven to be a tough shot maker that can get a basket late in the shot clock. He does a great job of creating space off the bounce, elevates quickly into his jumper, and continues to improve as a decision maker out of ball screens. On top of that, he does a nice job of stepping into his shot in catch and shoot situations and is rapidly improving as a perimeter shooter.     DeBernardo, a member of the 16U HGSL squad, is a shot making guard out of the Brunswick School in Connecticut. Another high academic prospect, he's an elite perimeter shooter that has really developed his ability to make plays with the ball in his hands over the last 12 months. He makes shots in catch and shoot situations and also does a nice job of moving without the basketball, utilizing screens to get open and making shots on the move. He's gotten stronger, has a quick first step when attacking the rim, and is a crafty paint finisher. Beyond that, he has good feel as a creator and the vision needed to make a variety of passes in the half-court.     Kearney, a member of the 17U HGSL squad, is a versatile wing out of Bristol Central in Connecticut. An impressive athlete with terrific size and length on the wing, he does a great job of using his physical gifts to his advantage on the defensive end of the floor. He's a tough defender at the point of attack, can make plays in passing lanes, and is a high level shot blocker from the help side, showing the ability to quickly cover space with long strides. Offensively, he's a strong transition finisher that uses his length to finish around the rim. He has the ability to handle the ball in isolation situations, is a tough shot maker in the mid-range, and can even post up smaller defenders by the rim, showing the ability to score with touch over either shoulder.

Next up in our Program Profiles series is Connecticut Elite, also known as CT Elite.