2025 Riverside Hawks UAA 17u Player Profiles
The Riverside Hawks, one of NYC’s most storied programs, was founded by the historic Riverside Church in the early 1960’s. The program’s mission is still to help students and families use basketball to pursue academic opportunities and to promote their character development.
Their 17u team is coached by Riverside Hawks Director Danny Colon, and they play on the Under Armour Next circuit.
Their 2025 17u roster is as profiled below.
#1 Mason Santiago (2026) 6’6 small forward, St Peter’s Prep (NJ) - Santiago has the handle to get himself open and get off his lethal, quick release jump shot. He is an active and impactful defender, tough on the ball, in the passing lanes and shot blocking. Has received D1 offer from East Carolina.
#2 Malik Feilds (2026) 6’6 guard, Cardinal Hayes High - Fields is a big guard with a dependable deep jumper. He can also bull his way to the rim and score, and he embraces contact as finisher. He also rebounds well for a guard.
#3 Richie Rosa (2026) 6’0 point guard, St Peter’s Prep (NJ) - Rosa is able to create offense for himself and also find open teammates. Rosa uses his quick first step to the get to the basket and has a variety of different floaters and mid-range pull ups. Has received multiple D1 offers, including LaSalle and Wagner.
#5 Najay Bess (2026)6’5 guard, St Raymond High - Bess is athletic, enabling him to both can score over defenders and drives past them. He also can defend multiple positions. Has received multiple D1 offers, including Manhattan, Robert Morris, Valparaiso and Texas A&M.
#10 Saad Mitchell (2026) 6’4 guard, Hudson Catholic High (NJ) - Mitchell is an explosive leaper in his ability to attack the rim, which buys him extra time to finish past defenders. His jump shot is good enough to open up his basket drive opportunities. He is good on screen switches due to his ability to guard multiple positions.
#11 Derek Luis Gomez (2026) 6’6 small forward, St Peter’s Prep (NJ) - Gomez spaces the floor with his ability knock down catch-n-shoot threes. He also is terrific as a cutter, constantly moving without the ball and getting himself into to open space.
#15 Ethan Griffin (2026) 6’8 small forward, Westminster School (CT) - Before transferring to Westminster, Griffin led his West Haven High to a 2023-24 CIAC state championship. He was named to the CIAC All State team and the SCC All Conference team. He is a dynamic player who runs the floor well. He is an uber athletic and high energy talent who is a big time rim protector and rebounder. He has received a D1 offers from Fairfield and Albany. 3.2 gpa
#25 Filip Runjo (2026) 6’10 forward, Grand River Academy (OH) - Runjo is from Serbia. He played for Christ The King in 2023-24 and then moved onto prep ball at Grand River last winter. He has great footwork and touch around the basket.
#30 Nick Ferdinand (2026) 6’6 small forward, St Peter’s Prep (NJ) - Ferdinand played in 25 games for St Peter’s this past winter. He averaged 4.5 ppg and 4.2 rpg.