2024-25 Canterbury School Player Profiles
The Canterbury School is an independent, college preparatory, coeducational boarding and day school for students in grades 9-12 and postgraduates, located in New Milford, CT. Its boys varsity basketball team competes in the college prep level NEPSAC Class B (midsized schools) conference. The Canterbury players get additional college scout exposure by also participating in the key showcases such as the Zero Gravity Prep Classic, Basketbull Hoopsfest, Scholar Roundball Showcase, Spauding Hoophall Classic and the NEPSAC Scholastic Live Period Showcases.
The team is coached by Brian Fruscia. Coach Fruscia took over in 2022 after leading the highly successful Albany Academy basketball program for 15 seasons. His Assistant Coach is Justin Feliz. The team will be looking to extend last year’s run of excellence where it was computer ranked in the New England Top 40. Canterbury also made it the 2024 NEPSAC Class B post season tournament Final Four.
The team’s 2024-25 game schedule and results can be found here. It’s X account is @cburyboysbball
As profiled below, once again in 2024-25, the Canterbury roster is loaded with college bound talent.
Andreo Ash (2025) 6’8 small forward - From Liverpool, Ash is much improved after being super successful a year ago, when he was voted by coaches as the 2023-24 Western New England Preps MVP. He has an ability to stretch the floor and shoot the ball and is talented at scoring in the paint. His defense and rebounding is much improved. He’s a college ready prospect. Has received multiple D1 offers, including North Carolina A&T, Stony Brook, Seton Hall and Bryant. NY Plays AAU with City Rocks.
Frankie Battaglia (2025) 6’5 wing - From Venice Italy, Battaglia is improving everyday. He can really shoot it and has a great feel for the game. His size allows him to make significant contributions in many areas.
Liam Dagostino (2025) 6’5 wing - From Saratoga, NY, Dagostino is much improved over the last two years. He is shooting the ball consistently and will be counted to stretch the defenses this season. He has become a complete player and a great leader.
David Dix (2025) 5’10 point guard - From Bayonne, NJ, Dix is a great player who has a high basketball IQ and is lightning fast. He is a true point guard and leader. He can really shoot it and finish at the basket. All Western New Preps Team as a junior. College coaches should take note, as he will be a great college contributor. Offered by NJIT. Plays AAU with Rens United.
Jonas Niedzwiecki (2025) 6’0 guard - Brand new to the States, in from Melbourne, Austrailia, Niedzwiecki is a talented point guard who can initiate offense and shoot the ball. He is a tough defender who can change possessions with his tenacity.
Jackson O’Brien (2025) 6’6 small forward - From Glen Cove, NY, O’Brien is a super talented and versatile forward. He is very bouncy, athletic and finishes at the rim usually dunking the ball. He is able to make 3’s in bunches and has a very good post-up game for mismatches. 2023-24 All Long Island Team. A college-ready prospect. Plays AAU with NJ Shore Shots
Michael Zhao (2025) 6’0 guard - From Guangzhou, China, Zhao is a first year varsity player who has improved every year at Canterbury. He helps the program in many ways and his athleticism adds to everything that the team is trying to accomplish.
Alex Christidis (2026) 6’6 forward/center - From Fishkill, NY, Christidis is big and strong, and is developing his game. Coach Fruscia says that he is improving everyday and has a bright future.
Grant Cieplicki (2026) 6’6 wing - From Colchester, VT, Cieplicki is a proven winner and a talented wing forward. Has a quick learning curve and seems to always come up with the ball. He can shoot it and rebound it. He can score in bunches and also affect the game without scoring. Canterbury is expecting big things this year from Cieplicki.
Devin Guilbe (2026) 6’4 wing - From Tuckahoe, NY, Guilbe is a lockdown defender and special athlete. He is learning the Canterbury system and will make an impact this season. He will make open 3’s and can attack the goal and finish. Plays AAU with Riverside Hawks Select. 3.7 gpa
Henry Hauser (2026) 6’4 guard - From Pawling, NY, a two sport prospect (golf), Hauser keeps impressing the coaches as he does everything we ask and can implement concepts quickly into his game. He can shoot it and also positively effect the game on the defensive end.
Dashiell Mabilon (2026) 6’8 small forward - From Brooklyn, NY, Mabilon was the 2024 10th Grade Gym Rat Gold Division Tournament MVP. He is a super talented young man with a huge upside. He can play both wing and post areas. He handles the ball extremely well and can score in many ways. Canterbury is looking for amazing growth over the year from Mabilon and knows that he will be a highly recruited. Plays AAU with Team OPI. 3.6 gpa
Jared Strand (2026) 6’5 small forward - From Ridgefield, CT, Strand has really made a huge jump and is now scoring the ball consistently. He has a big, strong body and can get to the spots he wants to on offense and controls the opponent on defense. He rebounds his position and is constantly making 3’s.
Chris Calacci (2027) 6’7 small forward - From Rye, NY, Calacci is a two sport prospect (baseball). He is a developing young player who has a high basketball IQ. He can shoot the 3 and is learning to use his body to rebound. He is a bright young player.
Charlie Scott (2027) 5’9 point guard - From Trumbull, CT, a three sport prospect (football and lacrosse). Tough-nosed defensive minded guard. Works extremely hard and his energy always adds to good things happening when he is in there.