From 6-18 Team up to a Borough Championship Finalist, Wings Academy Looks to Continue the Climb
In 1994, the New York City Department of Education sponsored the first systemic effort to redesign a large high school in the Bronx. Wings Academy was one of five pioneering small schools resulting from that effort, founded on the premise of helping young people use their minds well. Its boys basketball team competes in the PSAL Manhattan/Bronx AAAA Division
This is year three for Jabor Forde as the varsity head coach at Wings Academy, and the program has gotten better every season. He inherited a team that finished 6-18. In his first year, Wings went 15-12 (8-6 in league). Last season it took another step, going 18-11 (10-4 in league) and reaching the Bronx borough championship game. Forde’s staff adds a new face this season in Brandon Rivera, the former head coach at Success Academy, who brings head coaching experience to the bench.
With 10 seniors gone, this is a new group, but it may be the most talented roster Wings has had. Proven scorers like Chase Henry and James Lofton, size in Taiyo Nathan, and toughness and athleticism throughout the lineup give this team what it needs to compete for a Bronx borough championship and a PSAL city championship.
The 2026-27 Wings Academy prospects are profiled below.
Nasir Benson (2027) 6’4 forward - A transfer from James Monroe, Benson is the type of player every winning team needs. He brings grit and toughness, crashes the glass and plays every possession like it’s his last. His hustle won’t always show up in the box score, but it will show up in wins.
Chase Henry (2027) 6’0 point guard - Henry has won at every stop. As a sophomore, he averaged 12.3 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists per game and helped his team win the CHSAA Class B city and state championships. As a junior at Earl Monroe, he averaged 15.3 points per game and was named MVP of both the Test the Water tournament and the Stony Brook HS Shootout. Now a senior, Henry has a real shot at All-State honors and is one of the best senior prospects still available in the city. He will lead this group as it chases a deep run in the AAAA division. Video highlights
Tymere Jeter (2027) 6’0 guard - Jeter is the only returning player from a roster that graduated 10 seniors, and that experience will matter. The high-flying lefty is one of the most explosive guards in the Bronx off the dribble and brings athleticism every time he steps on the floor. After waiting his turn behind a big senior class, he is ready for a breakout senior season. Video highlights
James Lofton (2027) 5’10 point guard - Lofton is one of the most proven scorers in the city. Last season as a junior at Leaders in Our Neighborhood Charter School, he averaged 29.6 points per game in the PSAL A division, adding 2.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists, and scored 355 points in just 12 regular season games. He kept it going in the playoffs at 24.5 points per game. Now at Wings, he makes the jump to AAAA and is ready to prove he can do it at the highest level.
Jayden Manhe (2027) 6’3 guard - Manhe is a long, athletic lefty who can change a game on both ends of the floor. He uses his size to make plays on offense and to make life hard for opposing guards on defense. He has the tools to be an All-State caliber player and is ready to terrorize the PSAL this winter. Video highlights
Deshawn Lucas (2028) 6’0 point guard - Lucas transferred in from Scanlan, where he was part of a championship JV team, so he knows what winning looks like. He is a poised guard who doesn’t get rattled and is very deceptive with the ball in his hands. He adds depth and composure to a talented backcourt. Video highlights
Taiyo Nathan (2028) 6’8 forward/center - The junior transfer is a matchup nightmare. Nathan can work inside or step out and knock down shots from the perimeter, pulling opposing bigs away from the basket. He gives Wings a size advantage most nights and should be one of the top frontcourt players in the Bronx AAAA division.
Kai Simmons (2028) 5’7 point guard - Simmons led the Wings JV team in scoring last season, finishing third in the entire PSAL at 20.1 points per game. Don’t let his size fool you. He brings that scoring punch up to varsity and gives the team another guard who can put up points in a hurry.
Madi Keita (2029) 6’1 shooting guard - Keita is the only sophomore on the roster, and he earned it. He has been one of the most impressive players in the preseason, holding his own against older players every day in practice. He can make an impact early in his varsity career and is a name to remember for the next three years.
Wings Academy’s 2026-27 game schedule and results can be found by clicking here