2023 Riverside Hawks Select Gold 17u College Prospects
Riverside Hawks Select is a program designed for serious ballplayers who value structure and consistency in their player development regimen. “Select” is the high academic prospect arm of the renown Riverside Hawks program. Select is running five teams this season. These teams consist of top students who will go on to attend top academic universities. Last year was the first year for the Select program, and they got their players accepted into the likes of Cornell University, Johns Hopkins, University of Rochester, Vassar College, Syracuse University, Emory University, George Washington University and more. They attract families who are looking to play with a program that provides consistent support. Their coaches prioritize relationships with the players and closely monitor the progress of each guy.
Veteran Riverside Hawks coach and Hackley School varsity coach Zach Kuba leads the Riverside Select program. The 2023 Riverside Hawks Select Gold 17u team is coached by Western Connecticut State assistant coach, Jamie Procino, and their roster is as follows:
#0 Cooper Nieminen (2024) 5’11 guard, Cheshire Academy (CT) - Sharp shooting wing who uses his physicality to make plays. High IQ for the game. Deceptively quick and able to use angles to stay in front of people defensively.
#6 Justin Malamug (2024) 5’11 guard, Beacon High - Sharpshooting guard who is a fierce competitor. Gets after his man defensively.
#8 Antonis Paloungos (2024) 6’1 guard, Valhalla High - Valhalla High School - Gets on 2 feet and makes great decisions with the ball. Able to get into the paint consistently. Smart defender who understands angles.
#13 Kai Foote (2024) 5’9 guard, LaSalle Academy - Smart, scrappy guard who has a strong IQ for how to play with his teammates and make the right play consistently.
#21 Charlie Panarella (2024) 5’10 guard, Fordham Prep - Scrappy, playmaking guard who was a leader and glue guy for his Fordham Prep team. Expect him to consistently make plays for this Riverside group.
#22 Austin Mejia (2024) 6’2 Regis High - Tough, physical guard that makes plays consistently through contact. Great in transition and smart in the half court. Can create his own shot on mostly anyone.
#24 Ethan Sperling (2024) 6’2 guard, Columbia Prep - SHOOTER. Strong frame allows him to fight through contact to get open on the perimeter. Continues to improve on attacking the basket.
#25 Gavin Wright (2024) 5’10 guard, Fieldston School - “Pat Bev Jr.” Relentless on the defensive end and playmaker offensively. Personality embodies the team.
#32 Owen Ying (2024) 6’4 wing, Beacon High - Strong, physical, forward who plays hard all the time. Good finisher around the basket.
#35 Brendan Bartley (2024) 6’2 guard, Brien McMahon High (CT) - Lefty who shoots it without hesitation. Attacks the paint ferociously and doesn’t back down from a challenge on the defensive end.
#44 Deven Chitkara (2024) 6’8 forward, Fieldston School - Physical, smart Forward who knows how to score inside with both hands. Good at establishing position on the low block. Moves feet well on the perimeter setting and defending ball screens.