2024 Level UP LI 16u Player Profiles
Level Up LI is in its seventh year and is one of the fastest growing youth travel AAU basketball programs in the tri-state NY area. Their mission is to create the top travel basketball teams focusing heavily on individual and team development for their players both on and off the basketball court. The primary focus is to help their players reach their full potential. All of their coaches and trainers excelled at the college level as players or coaches. Jesse Winter is the program’s President.
The Level Up LI is running two 16u teams this season.
(Clicking on the player’s name pulls up their profile):
The Level Up LI-Callender team is coached by Nikko Callender, and his players are as follows.
Ryan Schmitt (2026) 6’5 small forward, South Side High - Schmitt is an athletic wing/4 man that is an aggressive rebounder and thrives in transition. He plays great from the foul line area and is a good shot blocker. His perimeter game is developing nicely he could mature to a low D1 player with improved growth of perimeter game but would be a great D2 player as is.
Christian Frey (2026) 5’10 point guard, Mineola High - Frey is a fast athlete that thrives in transition, gets out in passing lanes and runs the wing well. He anticipates well in the press and is a very good shooter. Frey plays great within the system, but needs to become a better ball handler to transition to pg at a D3 level, but is athletic enough to play a D3 wing.
Amari Desir (2026) 5’10 point guard, Long Island Lutheran Regional - Desir is a knockdown shooter that is adjusting to the transition of making plays as a point guard. He is a capable defender when engaged. Very aggressive offensively and is always available when it comes to games and practice. He averaged 16 ppg this season. Has high academic D2 or D3 potential. 4.0 gpa
Dylan Cudjoe (2026) 6’7 forward, Baldwin High - Cudjoe is a super athletic rim protector that thrives at blocking shots and put-back dunks. He is a lob threat and is also a capable jump shooter with now improved mechanics. He plays to his strengths as a two way player and is scratching the surface with his potential. He can handle the ball well enough to start the break and advance the ball. He can also play out the post and iso in given situations. He won a Nassau County championship at Baldwin this past winter season and can play D1 or D2 level college ball. 3.2 gpa
Carter Abernathy (2026) 6’3 wing, Long Island Lutheran Regional - Abernathy is a super athletic wing with a strong build. He gets out in transition well and is improving in his ability to handle the ball as the lead guard. He plays well in a system and is super unselfish. He averaged 18.7 and was 1st team All PSAA this past winter season. He is a very capable jump shooter that thrives in the mid post area and lives at the foul line. Very active on defense as well and a tenacious rebounder. Abernathy is a low D1 level player.
Jordan Rabinovich (2026) 6’4 guard, Plainview High - Rabinovich is a shooter with abilities to put it on the floor as well. He is growing as a rebounder and playmaker. Would be a D3 steal and will have scholarship capabilities if his game continues to develop and refine.
Adam Jeffries (2026) 5’8 point guard, Bishop Loughlin High - Jeffries is a tenacious point guard that is a ball hawk on defense, and a great playmaker on offens-. He is super quick and has a good mid range game and has shown growth as a leader. He expanded his range this year, and can still make improvements. Since he is young for his age, prep schools should be all over him or he will be a D3 steal.
Dion Morris Jr. (2026) 6’1 guard, Uniondale High - A strong wing that plays with great pace. He attacks gaps well and plays great off two feet. He is also a very good jump shooter and a capable playmaker. He accepts the challenge defensively and rebounds well for his height. Has D2/3 potential.
Peyton Howell (2026) 5’8 point guard, Baldwin High - Howell is a super smart and crafty point with elite court vision. He makes jumpers at a high level from both 2 and 3 distances. Plays well with the ball in his hands or without. He is super pesky on and off the ball on defense. He is hard to press with his quick first step and pass-first mentality. He was an All County player and led Baldwin to the Nassau County championship as a freshman. He can play at any collegiate level.
Darren Brown (2026) 6’4 wing, Long Island Lutheran Regional Brown is a tall and lanky wing that thrives in transition and is super active defensively. He rebounds well and is growing as a jump shooter. Once his body fills out and he becomes more of a playmaker, the sky is the limit. He would be a D3 steal and has D2 potential.
Christian Shaw (2026) 6’3 small forward, Chaminade High - Shaw is a lanky and hardnosed defender, who also makes great plays for his teammates. He embraces the Draymond Green role as a defensive leader. He is the ultimate team player. Rebounds well, but needs to look for his offense more.
John Pericolosi (2026) 6’3 point guard, South Side High - Pericolosi is a lanky, crafty, and smart point guard that makes all the winning plays on offense and defense. He is an excellent help defender. He takes and makes smart shots/plays to keep defenses off balance. He currently plays 3 sports but if he focused on basketball, he would easily be a college player.
Tyler Liautaud (2026) 6’3 wing, St Dominick High - Liautaud is a long and athletic athlete that is a pest defensively and rebounds well. High motor that guards opposing teams best player. Has the length and athleticism of an ideal 2 way player. He gets out in transition well. He makes shots to keep defenders honest and is a very good playmaker. He handles the ball well enough to play the off guard at times. His ideal position is the 3, but can also play 2 and 4 . He is a D2 level talent.
The Level Up LI-Montalbano team is coached by Chris Montalbano, and his players are as follows.
Aidan Windhausen (2026) 6’4 forward, St. Dominic High - Windhausen is a big man that can shoot and distribute the ball. He is a great individual and team defender who is always locked in and improving. He has a high IQ on both ends and helps direct his team. He is incredibly coachable and is a great teammate. He is still growing and filling out, with tremendous room to continue to improve.
Murphy Moore (2026) 6’1 guard, St. Anthony’s High - Moore is a strong and confident guard that can post up or take you off the bounce. He is amazing in playing off 2 feet in traffic and getting into the paint to make plays. He is a good decision maker and gets to his spots. Once his 3 jump shot improves, he will be even more of a threat for defenses to keep track of.
Vincent Rienzie (2026) 5’10 point guard, Valley Stream North - Rienzie is a quick and crafty guard with a knockdown shot from the perimeter. A true extension of the coach on the floor. He never forces shots and makes the right plays consistently. He is a fantastic defender, for what he lacks in size he makes up for with his IQ and quick feet. Great player all around. 4.0 gpa
Max Salamone (2026) 6’2 small forward, St. Francis Prep - Salamone has great foot speed and a strong build. He does anything it takes to win and never tries to play outside of his game. He can stretch the floor with his shooting, or take you off the bounce. He locks down the other team’s best player. He routinely fights two guys for the rebound, and wins it. A player every coach would be happy to have on their team.
Charlie Avallone (2026) 6’2 small forward, Chaminade High - Avallone is incredibly strong and can finish around the rim with ease. He is a very good defender that can guard 1-4 because his mix of size, strength, and speed. He leaves it all on the floor and fights to the last whistle. His improving jump shot is coming along very well as of the last few months and will complement his already dangerous driving ability.
Ali Abukoush (2026) 6’2 forward, Roslyn High - Abukoush plays bigger than he looks. He operates incredibly well in the middle against zones and consistently makes the right reads. He is skilled in the post area and finishes strong through contact. He is a sturdy and effective rim protector. He always brings good energy and adapts quickly as needed.
Connor Erickson (2026) 5’11 guard, South Side High - Erickson is incredibly composed and never plays rushed. He can play fast, slow and everywhere in-between. He is a good shooter, but is most effective in the lane facilitating or finishing around the rim. Erickson is a strong defender that does a great job of jamming his man and getting deflections. He has a great attitude and is a high IQ player that makes coaching easy.
Emanuel Luciano (2026) 6’0 guard, school TBD - Luciano is a high energy and athletic guard that works harder than anybody. He is a great rebounder for his size. His best attribute is definitely his motor and defense. He is constantly getting deflections and causing havoc. He is developing his shot and his offensive game is coming along well. Great teammate and getting better every day.
Jose Fernandez (2026) 6’1 guard, South Side High - Fernandez is a crafty guard. He has a great change of pace and consistently makes defenders pay for reaching. He works hard at practice and it shows. He is a good decision maker in the PnR. He plays selfless basketball and just wants to help his team win anyway he can.
Gerry Metaxes (2026) 6’1 shooting guard, St. Anthony’s High - Metaxes is a knockdown shooter. It’s not often there’s a better shooter on the floor. He takes care of the ball and plays team basketball beginning to end. You gotta run him off the line on the catch. He is also a solid individual and team defender. A very coachable and hard working player.