St Albans Launches a College Basketball Prep Program
The path for talented high school basketball players to land a spot on a college roster, more times than not, involves taking an additional year of development as a post grad in a prep school program. This accomplishes a number of things for the prospects. One, it gives them additional year of physical and basketball development. It exposes them to a game style that is like the college game, which can often be very different than their high school level of play (Not the least of which is competing with and against a bigger, stronger and older level of player). It also often dramatically increases their exposure to college scouts.
A perhaps unintended consequence of the relaxation of college transfer rules, and impact of the rise of the “transfer portal” on college coaches is that the they have shifted a lot of their scouting and recruiting to older transfer players. This is making it even harder for high school prospects to get on the radar with college coaches. This has further elevated the number of players needing to take a prep school gap year to grow their games, their bodies and their exposure to college scouts.
The big issue with prep schools, however, is that they can be very expensive, as in over $70,000 for a year. St Albans is a new Queens based program that’s trying to address that high cost issue. One big advantage in their quest to that is being based in a large metropolitan area means they can cut out the room and board costs that a boarding school must incur by focusing on student athletes that can commute in from their family homes. They also use online education programs to eliminate that related overhead in supplementing the student-athletes academic base. Consequently, they are offering a significantly more affordable path for talented NYC student-athletes to pursue their dreams to play college ball.
The basketball program is staffed by an experienced and committed coaching staff. Kaamil Dillard is a head coach with a proven resume. His assistant coach and player development lead is the very capable Isaac “Slim” Sanders. Their college placement guru is the high energy and high impact Coach Arnell “Mega” Milton.
Their team will play a 30+ game schedule and compete in the Empire 8 Prep League.
The team’s 2025-26 game schedule and results will be found here.
Below we profile the St Albans Prep inaugural 2025-26 season’s players.
Noel Acosta (2026) 6’3 wing - Acosta is a player who is eager to contribute to a team. He embodies the spirit of hard work and commitment. He is determined to earn his place in the rotation.
Elvis Asare Jr. (2026) 6’4 small forward - From Truman High, Bronx, NY. 2024-25 NYC PSAL 3A 1st Team. Asare consistently exhibits effort on both ends of the court, demonstrating his dedication particularly on the defensive side. He sets a strong tone from the very beginning of the game, contributing significantly as a solid post player and fulfilling his role for the Spartans.
Daniel Chauvin III (2026) 5’10 point guard - Despite being perceived as an undersized guard from Lower Manhattan, Chauvin has truly stepped up his game. It’s evident that he is embracing and trusting the system implemented by St. Albans. Moreover, his defensive skills have significantly improved, showcasing his dedication to becoming a more formidable player. In addition to his individual performance, Chauvin has been embodying strong leadership qualities, guiding his teammates by example and fostering a collaborative environment. Given his transformation, he could become a pivotal player for any college program at the next level.
Moussa Diaby (2026) 6’3 guard - An exceptional talent that should attract scouts this upcoming prep season. Diaby’s impressive ability to rebound the basketball sets him apart. His hard work has also resulted in a noticeable improvement in his jump shot during his time with the Spartans. The St Alban’s coaches believe that he possesses the skills and work ethic that every junior college coach would wish to recruit.
Diafarou “Jafar” Diakhaby (2026) 6’5 guard - 2024-25 Empire 8 Honorable Mention. Diakhaby is still in the process of adjusting to a new system and the pace of the game. Look for a mid-season breakout from this talented player.
Daniel Prince (2026) 6’7 small forward - A wiry wing with a smooth game. As Prince steps into a more significant role this upcoming season, his ability to score at all three levels is increasingly evident. He has not only developed a respectable postgame but has also shown impressive versatility on the court. His contributions will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the team’s success this season.
Chancellor Tillman (2026) 6’2 guard - 2024-25 All Queens 4A Second Team. Tillman has a relentless motor and gritty mindset towards defense. He not only excels on the defensive end but also approaches offensive plays with aggressive intent, especially when driving to the rim.
Deshawn Watkins (2026) 6’2 guard - Watkins, who has had an impressive preseason following his breakout senior year at Riverhead High, where he averaged 16.1 ppg and 8.5 rpg. His performance has been nothing short of stellar, particularly in recent games where he has demonstrated his capability by scoring over 30 points in consecutive outings. Watkins is not just excelling statistically, but he is also becoming the focal point of St.Albans Prep game strategy, with many plays and sets being tailored to his play style. He has the ability to be efficient on the court with minimal dribbles.
Suleman Abdulrahman (2027) 6’2 wing - Abdulrahman has exceptional potential as an impact player, consistently shown dedication by giving 100% effort on the court.
Jacob Nazzario (2027) 6’3 guard - Nazzario holds significant potential for his development, as the coaching staff aims to provide him with invaluable mentorship under veteran players who have a wealth of experience and game repetition.
John Michael Servino (2027) 5’11 guard - Servino is an underclassman who will be working closely with lead guard Daniel Chauvin III this upcoming season. As he prepares to step into the role of backup at the 1 position, he is eager to demonstrate his ability to lead the team effectively while putting his teammates in optimal positions to succeed.