Next Up: CHSAA AA Archdiocese Breakout Candidates

The CHSAA annually provides opportunities for new names to emerge, and the 2026-27 season should be no different. Whether it's a talented freshman jumping directly into a varsity rotation, a young player making the move up after impressing at the lower levels, or a returner finally getting the minutes and touches to showcase what he can do, every program has someone capable of taking a significant step forward. We go team by team through the CHSAA AA Archdiocese, made up of Bronx, Westchester, and Staten Island programs, to identify one player from each team who could be poised for a breakout season.    After two of it's top three guards transferred out and the other graduated- there are minutes to be had in the Mount backcourt. Vasquez seems poised to step into a prominent role this season. A capable finisher at the rim with broader shoulders and a good handle, Vasquez used Mount's run through the Smartball Classic to establish himself as the go-to guard for the Bronx program. He is able to find open teammates and run offense, and moves well without the ball. He appears to be an ideal strike partner for returning All-CHSAA wing [player_tooltip player_id='2780648' first='Supreme' last='Hinton'].     A versatile and skilled four man, Faulkner fits perfectly into the modern game. The Curtis transfer would have been on top of the list as far as PSAL breakout candidates had he stayed. Faulkner is sneaky athletic, exploding off the floor for put back dunks while getting up and down it fairly quickly. He's a good passer and rebounder, playing with a chip on his shoulder allows him to guard up as well. This is the biggest and most athletic St. Peter's team in recent memory- so it will be interesting to see how Faulkner and the Eagles fair this season.     Jordan has been part of the varsity team since his freshman season, but this is the year he should make the jump from complimentary bench piece to full time starter. An athletic slasher with the ability to guard 1-3 reliably, Jordan will likely get the assignment of guarding the opposition's best perimeter player on most nights. His growth as a handler and passer himself has opened the floor for him. Starting next to AAU teammate [player_tooltip player_id='3035533' first='Akeem' last='McLaren'] will only make things more comfortable for the junior swingman.     It's a new look Ravens team as almost all of contributors from their deep playoff runs over the last few years have graduated. Meanwhile, Espada has turned in an impressive Spring and Summer as a creator off the bounce who can score when needed. A quick first step and good vision make him a dangerous and effective distributor, and quick hands allow him to force turnovers. He's an ideal fit in the Raven system and is capable of playing with any of the other guards on the roster. Look for him to have a real impact this season.     Iona Prep has been hit hard by the transfer bug again this season, and again has pieces that appear more than ready to step up. Lapin appears to be one of those players, as the cerebral lead guard is capable of quarterbacking a Gael offense that has plenty of shooting and toughness up and down it's lineup. A quick and smart facilitator, he looks to get his teammates involved before scoring it himself. The high academic guard has been on the rise during his time at Iona Prep- and this season is seemingly perfectly setting up for him to take the reins at point guard.     By far the most proven player on this list, Brown has quietly been a part of winning Hayes teams at all levels over his last three seasons. The 6-foot-4 scorer is one of the better shooters in the CHSAA and enters the season as their top perimeter option after playing a complimentary role to Malik Fields the last two seasons. The spacing he brings to the floor is important to the Cardinal attack, and it won't be shocking when he's near the top of the league in scoring this season.     The thought for the last two years is that Jenkins has a chance to be the next high level wing in the program- but he hasn't gotten the minutes to prove it at Stepinac due to a loaded 2026 class. This year, that changes in a real way. The rangy 6-foot-8 forward steps into a front court that returns almost none of it's production from a year ago. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2234114' first='Josh' last='Rivera'] will be a great piece on the wing, while a handful of guards who played real minutes over the last two years also return. If Jenkins can be an All-CHSAA type player this season, the Crusaders may remain on top of the CHSAA.

The CHSAA annually provides opportunities for new names to emerge, and the 2026-27 season should be no different. Whether it's a talented freshman jumping directly into a varsity rotation, a young player making the move up after impressing at the lower levels, or a returner finally getting the minutes and touches to showcase what he can do, every program has someone capable of taking a significant step forward. We go team by team through the CHSAA AA Archdiocese, made up of Bronx, Westchester, and Staten Island programs, to identify one player from each team who could be poised for a breakout season.