2025 Riverside Select 17u HGAL Team
Founded by the Riverside Church in 1961, the Riverside Hawks are a historic and venerable grassroots basketball program based in the Harlem. They provide an opportunity for youth to use basketball as a vehicle to improve academic outcomes and in turn, improve career prospects. Through some transitions, the program has now expanded its programming to support not only its basketball players but any young person in our local community.
Former Riverside Hawks coach Zach Kuba returned three years ago to the Church to lead the Riverside Select leg of Riverside’s high school basketball program. Riverside Select provides support and helps place high performing student athletes who aspire to play at the next level at some of the top academic institutions (NESCAC, UAA, etc.) in the country. The Select Team is a great blend of high academic prospects. The team plays a smart, team-oriented brand of basketball and pressures the ball full court all game defensively.
The team captured the 2025 championship in the newly formed Hoop Group Academic League.
2025 Riverside Select 17u HGAL Team coached by Kuba are profiled below.
(Click on the highlighted player’s name and their profile will come up)
#1 Noah Khalid (2026) 6’2, 165lb, guard, Dalton School - Khalid is a big shot maker and big game scorer. He averaged just under 15ppg, but it was timeliness and difficulty of his buckets that’s impressive. He has improved dramatically on the defensive end throughout our season. He’s always had great instincts for deflections/ steals, but his ability to guard the ball 1v1 on the perimeter took a huge step forward. Whether he’s scoring 37 to take down the #1 team in the state in the HS semifinals, or knocking down clutch 3s against the best competition on the East Coast in the summer, Khalid is the guy. A high level student at Dalton, he is highly sought after by the best D3s in the country. 3.6 gpa
#4 Brad Brown (2026) 5’9, 160lb, point guard, Don Bosco High (NJ) - If you value winning, you take Brown on your team. He’s the guy who’s always competing and is disgusted if he doesn’t get the best out of everyone around him. He is a D1 level talent with his handle, feel, strength and speed on the ball defensively. He’s a high level student. Whatever UAA/ NESCAC (where he’s being recruited now) that might be lucky enough to land Brown will be getting the biggest steal in recruiting history. 3.6 gpa
James “JT” Lindi (2026) 6’2 guard, Iona Prep - Lindi, the MVP of the Made Hoops 2024 circuit, is an unselfish, high-IQ player. As a pass-first point guard, he excels at breaking down defenses and finding open teammates for easy baskets. His versatility allows him to defend positions 1 through 4, making him a defensive cornerstone. His strength and court vision make him a tough matchup for any opponent. Lindi’s coachability and ability to perform at a high level are qualities that set him apart. 3.3 gpa
#13 Hank Ford (2026) 6’1, 175lb, guard Phillips Exeter Academy (NH) - Offensively talent and skilled, but Ford is a very top level defender nas well. Coach Kuba really couldn’t take Ford off the court during their HGAL championship run. He can lock down anyone AND can harass ballhandlers 94 feet. Hank a very appealing prospect. Receiving interest from a couple Ivies. 3.9 gpa 1500 SAT
#20 Caleb Garutti (2026) 6’3, 165lb, wing, Regis School - Garuti impacts the game in multiple was, as a cutter, screener, rebounder and playmaker on the offensive end, guarding the ball, steals, deflections, physicality and rebounding on the defensive end. He is projected to be as a high level role player at a high level program. His size speed and athleticism, willingness to make the right play and be a great teammate meshes with any program. He’s shown the ability to knock down shots and coaches should continue to watch his playmaking ability at his upcoming camps. 3.8 gpa 1460 SAT
#21 Silas Brockway (2026) 6’4, 170lb, wing, Millbrook School - Brockway is a game changer and brings a unique dynamic with his length, speed, defensive aggression, and ability to make shots. He makes deflections and steals on defense. He takes it to the basket and makes game tying 3s. He is going to be a nice college player at a very High Academic School. 4.4 gpa 1300 SAT
#22 Anthony Ficarotta (2026) 6’4, 185lb, wing, Dobbs Ferry High - Ficarotta is a scholarship level scorer with an incredibly high motor. He “loves to rebound.” He attacks every ball with ferocity and finishes/scores in every way imaginable. He scored 32 points in the season opener. 3.8 gpa
#31 Jack Coco (2026) 5’11 guard, Archbishop Stepinac High - Coco is tough as hell, and plays a high motor, aggressive and hustling style. He has an explosive first step, makes shots and defends the guard position well. Coach Kuba thinks he will definitely play college ball at some level. 3.8 gpa
#32 Jack Moynahan (2026) 6’6, 180lb, forward, Riverdale Country School - Moynahan has turned himself into a highly sought after prospect. His learning curve for the game is impressive. The progression of reading the floor as a passer, making smarter cuts, and understanding spacing has been substantial. He shot the ball well from the perimeter all season, but with his added ability to now to attack with the bounce into pull-ups, Barkley into a turnaround, he’s a dynamic offensive threat. All while making good reads. Moynahan was good for 11ppg, 7rpg throughout the HGAL run, shooting over 50% from the field and slightly under from 3. He’s closing out to shooters on the perimeter better and his feet continue to get quicker staying in front of explosive athletes. As he continues to grow more in height, strength, and IQ … watch out! He also has leadership in his DNA and he often times leads huddles for the team, motivating and holding guys accountable. He’s the type of player that motivates coaches to as a coach. 4.0 gpa 1460 SAT 35 ACT
Derek Gomez (2026) 6’6 wing, St Peter’s Prep (NJ) - A huge stock riser after the Hoop Group Championship run, Gomez’ enthusiasm and athleticism really made the difference. He averaged 13.5ppg including a big 15 point performance in the 59-55 Championship win. He also averaged close to 8 rbg and 2bpg. His ability to guard all 5 positions, shoot the ball consistently from 3, and attack the rim with aggression makes him a very interesting scholarship level prospect. He also is the ultimate team guy, always chattering positivity and he’s fully immersed in the game and with his teammates. Gomez figured out how to fit what he does well with the team around him. His cutting, screening, and passing improved dramatically over the course of July.