2026 Level Up 15u Player Profiles
Level Up is in its ninth year and is one of the fastest growing youth travel AAU basketball programs in the Tri-state NY area. Their mission is to create the top travel basketball teams focusing heavily on individual and team development for their players both on and off the basketball court. The primary focus is to help their players reach their full potential. All of their coaches and trainers excelled at the college level as players or coaches. Jesse Winter is the program’s President.
All of the Level Up 15u teams compete on the Made Hoops Circuit.
(Clicking on the player’s highlighted name pulls up their profile):
Below we profile the 15u-Winter team players, and are coached by Program Director Winters.
Jaxon Saulter (2029) 6’0 guard, Friends Academy - A standout who was named conference player of the year as a freshman. 2025-26 Long Island All Freshman Team. Saulter boasts explosive athleticism, is an impressive dunker, a dynamic scorer, and excels in transition. Strong through contact, he finishes well at the basket and is also a versatile defender.
Kelly Quinn (2029) 5’8 point guard, Chaminade High School - A knockdown three-point shooter with impressive range. He also has a polished mid-range game, making him a consistent scoring threat from beyond the arc and inside the line.
Bryan Cobles (2028) 5’9 point guard, Archbishop Molloy High - A score-first point guard who uses his body effectively to create space. He has a sharp mid-range pull-up, thrives in transition, and is a respected leader among his teammates. 3.8 gpa
Matthew Machado (2028) 6’1 guard, Archbishop Molloy High - A versatile offensive playmaker who uses his handle to create opportunities. He excels at getting to his mid-range, finishes strong at the rim using his body, and has a crisp catch-and-shoot jumper. He plays well on both ends and is extremely coachable with a team-first mindset.
Caleb Caraballo (2029) 6’4 small forward, Mepham High - An incredibly versatile player who impacts the game in multiple ways. He rebounds and pushes in transition, has strong vision for his size, and brings guard-like capabilities to the floor. 3.4 gpa
Eljay Cheshire (2029) 6’6 forward, Longwood High - Has the capability to be a dominant force on both ends of the floor. He controls the glass, blocks shots, finishes around the rim, and anchors his team defensively. With his body still maturing, he has very high upside.
Romello Montgomery (2029) 6’1 guard, Longwood High - An athletic 2-3 guard who plays within the flow of the offense. A dynamic playmaker in transition, he has a smooth mid-range pull-up, especially off a spin move. Defensively, he can guard positions 1 through 4 and plays with a chip on his shoulder.
Antonio Kret (2029) 6’1 guard, St. Francis Prep - The hardest-working player on the floor in both practice and games. He has an incredible motor, takes on the toughest defensive assignments, and isn’t afraid to guard the opposing team’s best player. Strong, lengthy, and athletic, he attacks the basket with force, has a solid mid-range game, and can knock down threes.
Ceja Hardy (2029) 5’11 point guard, Kellenberg High - An unselfish and athletic player who thrives attacking the basket. He plays within the flow of the offense, is a strong defender who creates steals by jumping passing lanes and excels in transition. He is extremely coachable and team-oriented.
Josh Vasquez (2028) 6’1 guard, Archbishop Molloy High School - Has a very complete and polished offensive game, capable of scoring at all three levels. A knockdown three-point shooter, he also contributes defensively and brings a high level of coachability and consistency to both ends of the floor. 3.8 gpa
Below we profile the 15u Blue team players. This team is coached by Nazareth Memorial High varsity coach and former Queens College Assistant Coach Nikko Callender and former All City player Anthony Davis.
Matthew Hristoforatos (2029) 6’2 guard, Chaminade High - Hristoforatos is a versatile athlete who can play all five positions on both ends. He uses his strength effectively in the paint and on defense.
Jayden Ostrander (2029) 6’2 guard, Cary High - Ostrander is known for his relentless motor; he rebounds on both ends, converts offensive boards into putbacks, and has a smooth mid-range jumper.
Ethan Abello (2029) 5’9 point guard, Copiague High - Abello is a true floor general; he controls the pace, makes smart decisions, and is a vocal leader on the court.
Charles Kuo (2029) 5’9 point guard, Syosset High - Kuo is a strong point guard with elite ball-handling skills; he gets to the basket and finishes with either hand.
Austin Irizarry (2029) 5’9 guard, Massapequa High School - 2025-26 Long Island Rookie of the Year. 2025-26 All Conference as a freshman. Irizarry is a combo guard that can shoot from anywhere on the court, has excellent court vision, amazing basketball IQ. He always gives 100% on defense, and is a great leader and teammate. 4.0 gpa
Owen Smallowitz (2029) 6’2 guard, Roslyn High - Smallowitz is a glue guy. He rebounds well, is a great passer, and his mid-range shot is evolving into a three-point threat.
Josh Maurer (2029) 6’3 guard, Long Island Lutheran School - Maurer rebounds well and finishes effectively around the basket.
Michael Pahlavan (2029) guard, Long Island Lutheran School - Pahlavan is a knockdown three-point shooter; once his feet are set, he is a threat, and he’s a tough, one-on-one defender.
Charlie McElroy (2029) 6’2 guard, Southside High - McElroy is a smooth lefty. He is versatile, equally comfortable against guards or bigs, and he thrives in the mid-range with a smooth turnaround jumper.
Khyree Smith (2029) 6’1 guard, Copiague High - Smith is a long and lanky athlete who excels in transition. He finishes well at the rim, hits outside jumpers, and can guard positions 1 through 4
Elijah Carney (2029) 6’2 guard - Carney is a workhorse; he has a nonstop motor, rebounds strongly, blocks shots, and is a reliable defensive presence, while also being effective around the basket.
Below we profile the 15u White team players, who are also coached by Callender and Davis.
Trystin Pope (2029) 5’8 point guard, Roslyn High - Pope is quick, athletic and springy guard that is hard to keep in front and is tough to guard in transition. Plays the right way, can score from 3 levels and guards well on defense.
Isaac Aldad (2029) 5’11, guard, North Shore Hebrew Academy - Aldad has a high motor and is the hardest working guy on the court. Can guard multiple positions. Strong going to basket and can shoot it from 3.
Aviv Shabtay (2029) 5’11, point guard, North Shore Hebrew Academy - Shabtay has a high motor and is a high IQ player that does not take possessions off at the point guard position. Quick, crafty and not afraid to get his hands dirty on defense.
Luke Geller (2029) 5’9 point guard, Roslyn High - Geller is a glue guy that does all the things that don’t show up on the score sheet. He is a hard-nosed defender, plays the right way and is very unselfish.
Alex Metaxas (2029) 5’7 point guard, Syosset High - Metaxas is a score-first PG that is a very good playmaker for himself and others. Play with a high confidence and can get hot in a hurry.
Dylan Sirota (2029) 5’9 guard, Massapequa High - Sirota is a hard-nosed player that plays sound basketball. Good 3 point shooter that’s plays with a toughness to his game.
D’Andre Lemard (2029) 6’4 small forward, Academy Charter High - Lemard is the anchor of defense and rim protector and rebounder on both sides. His skill set continues to improve and is a long, lengthy athlete. He has high upside, if he continues to work at his skill build.
Taso Livanis (2029) 5’9 guard, Long Island Lutheran School Regional team - Livanis is a knockdown 3 point shooter that is also a vocal leader on the court. He has a bulky frame, and he that doesn’t shy away from guarding other team’s best player. 3.8 gpa
Donovan Allison (2029) 6’1 guard - Allison is an athlete that plays very hard and takes pride in his defense.
Jayden Hill (2029) 6’0 guard, New Hyde Park High - Hillis an athlete with high upside that can score it from 3 levels.
Ethan Jones (2029) 6’2 small forward, Thomas Jefferson High - Jones does a niced job of clogging up the lane on defense. He rebounds and finishes well around the basket.