2026-27 Notre Dame Prep (NY) Player Profiles
Notre Dame High School is a private, co-educational Catholic school located in Elmira, New York. The school serves roughly 260 students in grades 7 through 12 and provides a college-preparatory education centered on faith, academic growth, and service. It was established in 1955 and is located within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, NY.
The Notre Dame Prep boys basketball program is an Under Armour-sponsored program, and it prepares student-athletes for success at the collegiate level. This year the program has pivoted from competing in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association to playing a college prep school schedule in the Elite Prep League (EPL), playing a national schedule against strong prep school competition.
The team is coached by Director of Basketball and Head Coach James Cray. Cray was previously the assistant men’s basketball coach at Rochester Institute of Technology. Before RIT, Cray spent the 2024–25 season as an assistant coach at Vermont Academy, a high-level college basketball prep school known for producing NCAA Division I and professional players. Prior to that, Cray was the head coach at Rochester Academy.
His 2026-27 roster features college prospects from across the United States and around the world, as profiled below.
Jaden Schwenebraten (2027) 6’3 guard. A 2025-26 All-Western New England Second Team selection at Salisbury School (CT). Schwenebraten averaged 17.2 points while shooting 40 percent from three and 90 percent from the free-throw line. He scored a season-high 31 points against Hotchkiss. Schwenebraten can play on or off the ball, create for teammates, and pressure the rim with athletic finishes. A high-level worker, Schwenebraten holds offers from programs in the UAA, Liberty League, and NESCAC. He is also being recruited by Patriot League and Ivy League programs. 4.2 gpa
Anthony Enechukwu (2027) 6’7 forward - Enechukwu is a high-flying and physical forward who impacts the game through athleticism, rebounding, and rim protection. The former Texas Class 6A Defensive Player of the Year averaged 8.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. At 210 pounds, he can defend traditional forwards, switch onto smaller players, and play small-ball center. Offensively, he runs the floor, finishes above the rim, screens, and creates second-chance opportunities. A high-academic student-athlete, Enechukwu is receiving recruitment from low-major D1 programs. 4.1 gpa
Shiloh Ezderman (2027) 6’5 small forward - Ezderman is a high-motor and versatile forward from Tottenville High School. He can defend several positions, rebound outside his area, sprint the floor, screen, and cut without needing designed touches. Offensively, he has developed into a reliable catch-and-shoot threat from three and finishes well around the basket. His ability to switch onto guards, defend larger forwards, and play small-ball center gives Notre Dame valuable lineup flexibility. 4.0 gpa
Dray Thielker (2027) 6’1 point guard - Thielker is an accomplished scoring guard who led the Hockomock League at 21.9 points per game while adding 3.2 assists, 3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals. He scored at least 25 points eight times and finished his high school career with more than 1,000 points. Thielker has deep shooting range and can score out of ball screens or away from the ball
Kiefer Derkitt (2027) 6’5 wing - Derkitt is a long and versatile Canadian wing who can defend multiple positions, rebound, run the floor, and space the court. The Martin Collegiate product plays with a strong motor and creates value without needing the offense built around him. His size allows him to guard larger players while still moving well enough to defend on the perimeter. As his outside shooting and ball handling continue to improve, Derkitt has the tools to become a dependable two-way college prospect.
Matthew Pope (2028) 6’2 point guard - Pope is a First Team All-CNY selection and one of the most game-ready scorers in Notre Dame’s backcourt. He has deep shooting range, advanced ball skills, and the ability to create shots for himself and his teammates. Pope can score out of ball screens, attack closeouts, or play off the ball as a floor spacer. His confidence, feel, and shot-making ability make him a strong college prospect. He is currently being recruited by programs from the MAC, MVC, America East, and NEC. 3.7 gpa
Brayden Smalls (2028) 6’5 combo guard - Smalls is a First Team All-CNY selection with elite size and length for his position. He averaged 18.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.9 steals, and 2.6 blocks in nine reported games, including a 33-point performance against Notre Dame. Smalls is a three-level scorer with a strong first step and good passing feel. His athleticism allows him to defend multiple positions and impact both ends of the floor. He is receiving low-major to mid-major Division I recruitment.
Sebastian Pope (2028) 6’6 wing - Pope is a long and skilled scoring wing from Perth, Australia, who played for the Warwick Senators in the WABL. He has produced scoring performances of 21 and 26 points. Pope has an exceptional wingspan that allows him to finish over defenders, rebound outside his area, and guard multiple positions. Offensively, he can shoot from the perimeter, attack closeouts, and use his size against smaller defenders. He earned honorable mention recognition at the 2026 Pangos Premier 80 Showcase in Las Vegas. His length, scoring touch, and international experience give him strong college upside.
Stephen St. Amand (2028) 6’4 wing - St. Amand is a sharpshooting Canadian guard with good size for his position. His shooting forces defenders to close out hard, while his elite first step makes him a dangerous straight-line driver. He plays well on or off the ball, competes with toughness, and rebounds well from the perimeter. St. Amand can score without dominating the ball and attacks closeouts with purpose.
Agi Tsonis (2028) 6’3 wing - Tsonis is a team-first Australian wing who served as captain of the St. George U18 team. He moves the ball, runs the floor, rebounds well from the perimeter, and defends multiple positions. Tsonis plays with strong communication and makes quick, dependable decisions. He impacts the game without needing many touches and consistently contributes through effort, defense, and unselfish play.
Ryan Walker (2029) 6’10 center -Walker is a strong and athletic interior presence with great touch around the basket and natural rebounding ability. He protects the rim, sets physical screens, runs the floor, and seals smaller defenders inside. Walker uses his size and strength to create space and finishes well with either hand. He impacts the game through physicality, paint defense, rebounding, and second-chance scoring.
Jordan Francis (2029) 6’4 wing - Francis is a long and skilled wing from Nichols School in Buffalo. He can create his own shot, score from the perimeter, attack closeouts, and finish around the basket. Francis plays with good balance, uses his length well, and can score both on and off the ball. He also rebounds well from the wing position and can defend multiple perimeter spots.
Manoa Deso (2030) 6’5 wing - Deso is a highly athletic 14-year-old French wing with elite size, length, and skill for his age. He is already a strong shooter from the FIBA three-point line and plays with confidence well beyond his age. Deso runs the floor, finishes in transition, rebounds, and uses his length to disrupt opponents defensively. His combination of shooting, athleticism, size, and international experience makes him the best long-term prospect on the roster and a major player to watch in the Class of 2030.
For college scouts looking to attend one of the program’s Fall Open Gyms sessions, those details can be found here.
The Notre Dame Prep 2026-2027 game schedule and results can be found by clicking here.