2025 Empire Youth 17u-Klein College Prospects
Empire Youth Athletics has a stated goal to mold their players into hard-working, coachable individuals by providing a high quality coaching and training experience for them. They preach that becoming better people is the priority, with basketball being the secondary goal. “Team First” is an overriding philosophy and playing style.
Their team holds its practices at their gym in Huntington, Long Island.
Their 17u-Klein team is coached by the Program Director and Long Island Lutheran assistant coach, Derek Klein. Klein wis highly regarded for his work in getting his players placed onto college teams.
The 2025 17u-Klein team will compete in the Hoop Group Academic League and their roster is as below.
Chris Sakelos (2025) 6’5 small forward, Bethpage High - Sakelos has a very fundamental game. Can guard 3-5, has a great mid range jumper and has the ability to step out and hit 3’s at a consistent percentage. Team-first mentality and works extremely hard. 4.0 gpa
Chris Williams (2025) 6’0 guard, St. John the Baptist High - (fredonia State commit) Williams is an explosive guard going downhill. He can play 1-4 and guard 1-5. He does a really good job controlling the ball and picking his spots. Has an elite mid-range pullup and has improved his 3 point shot tremendously. Very explosive and gets off the ground quick on his pullups and finishes. 4.0 gpa
Raymond Kinnard (2026) 6’0 guard, Earl Monroe Renaissance School - Kinnard is a true scoring machine. Can score it at a high clip from all 3 levels. Ray is also an elite passer off the pick and roll. Does a great job dissecting the defense and getting to his spots. Can guard 1-4 and is a matchup nightmare for the opponents. Infectious positive personality and uplifts others. 3.7 gpa
Jack Loeffler (2026) 6’0 guard, Portledge School - Loeffler is a coach’s dream: He works extremely hard, is extremely reliable, and whatever the team needs him to do, he’ll do. He impacts winning in multiple ways. He shoots the 3 at a 40% clip and does an outstanding job moving without the ball with his cutting and spacing. He will guard the opponent’s best player as well. 4.0 gpa
Justin Ortiz (2026) 6’0 guard, Hewlett High - Ortiz is an absolute sniper. Shoots the 3 at a high level and gets it off quick! Justin has a great handle and knows how to maneuver around the defense to make plays for himself and his teammates. Justin plays with extremely high energy intensity and passion.
4.0 gpa
Xavier Brown (2026) 6’0 guard, Long Island Lutheran High Regional - Brown is the ultimate team guy. Works extremely hard, can guard 1-5 and often times offers to lock down the other team’s best player. He is very underrated offensively as well. Shoots the ball and is a strong finisher around the rim.
Jack Lanyo (2026) 6’3 small forward, Division High - Lanyo is an athletic forward who can dunk on you or step out and hit a 3 for you. He is another hard-working kid who will do whatever is needed for the team to win. He rebounds well, finishes above the rim and does a great job in transition. 3.4 gpa
Kuno Santos (2026) 6’5 small forward, Earl Monroe Renaissance School - Santos is a physical force in the paint. So far this season, he is shooting 70% in the paint and 75% from the foul line. He is a very physical player who makes it hard for the defense to play 1 on 1 in the post. Santo is a relentless rebounder on both ends of the floor as well. 3.4 gpa
Ryan Reid (2027) 5’9 point guard, Holy Trinity High - Reid is an old school, tough, gritty, and get in your face type of guard. He’s going to guard you 94 feet and then try to torture you offensively as well. Ryan has a great mid range game, finishes well around the rim with either hand and has the ability to knock down the 3 at a consistent clip. Ryan has a great feel for the game and makes the right reads. 3.0 gpa
Myles Reid (2027) 6’0 guard, Holy Trinity High - Reid is the ultimate energy guy. He is relentless on both ends of the court and is very fundamentally sound. He can guard 1-4 and does a great job rebounding for his size. He has a great feel for the game and impacts winning in all different aspects. 3.7 gpa
Emmanuel Ayeye (2027) 6’4 small forward, Holy Trinity High. Ayeye is the ultimate team and glue guy. His main focus is to win and will do whatever the team needs him to do in order to get a W. He is very skilled and can guard 1-5. Ayeye has huge upside and his skill set is improving by the day. He can take you off the dribble, post you up, or step out and hit the 3. Another matchup nightmare who is only getting better. He communicates non-stop. 3.7 gpa