Wiz Kids Class of 2029/15u Player Profiles
In 1990, following a successful professional and collegiate basketball career, Clarence “Mugsy” Leggett began his journey to being a community leader. His desire to make a positive impact on children is inspired by his years spent growing up in the education system and playgrounds of New York City. He quickly developed an appreciation for the benefits provided to him through a combination of academics and skills he learned on the basketball court. Understanding the importance of a supportive village and how basketball affects the self-esteem of the inner-city youth, Mugsy knew he wanted to be a part of change.
Wiz Kids started as a small basketball recreation program in the Bronx with only volunteers and family members. Being embraced by the local boys and girls, the program expanded to various gymnasiums and courts throughout the Bronx. In 2001, Books B4 Ball Organization/Wiz kids Basketball Program settled in the Northeast part of the Bronx, serving over 550 children annually, focused on ages 5-18, but even extending the reach to adults age from the New York City metro area. In the years to follow, the program has proudly worked with over 1300 students.
All Wiz Kids student athletes are required to meet scholastic and behavioral requirements in school before they can play ball. Study hall, tutoring, mentoring and college and high school tours are a part of the Wiz Kids curriculum. Report cards and progress reports are checked regularly.
The Wiz Kids Class of 2029/15u team is head coached by Daman “Coach Dame” Brown and assistant coached by Ismael Valdez. Coach Dame was the Brooklyn Nets 2024 Community Coach of the Year Honoree. He has been an integral part of the continued success of the Wiz Kids and the continued dominance of his John Philip Sousa Campus City Champion middle school team. Coach Dame has also been consistently teaching and guiding kids to higher levels, as the Monsignor Scanlan JV team coach. Coach Valdez played for Our Savior Lutheran High in the Bronx and Eastern Oregon University. He also played for North Idaho College and in the Puerto Rican BSN league.
The 2026 Wiz Kids 2029/15u roster is as follows.
#0 Souleyman Cisse (2029) 5’9 point guard, James Monroe High
#1 Karter Wilson (2030) 5’9 point guard, Our Lady Queen of Angels Middle School
#2 Davon Jackson (2029) 6’7 forward, Monsignor Scanlan High
#3 Skylar Sanders (2029) 5’10 point guard, Archbishop Stepinac High
#5 Ciel Santilus (2029) 6’4 guard, Mount St Michael Academy
#22 Jaden Sumblin (2029) 6’0 guard, Cardinal Hayes High
#23 Mandell Walters (2029) 6’3 guard, Cardinal Spellman High
#30 Jack DiVito (2029) 6’3 guard, Mamaroneck High
#32 Alonzo Rosario (2029) 6’5 forward, Cardinal Spellman High
#33 Johnathon Reid (2029) 6’5 forward, Monsignor Scanlan High
#34 Mark Tuider (2029) 6’6 forward, Success Academy
#35 Desmond Okafor (2029) 6’3 small forward, Earl Monroe Renaissance School
J’Meson Castro-Howe (2029) 6’0 guard, St Raymond High
Liam Bastien (2029) 5’6 guard, Morris Catholic High (NJ)