Building in the Bronx, James Monroe Campus 2026-27 Season Preview
Opened in 1924, The James Monroe Educational Campus sits in the Soundview section of the Bronx. It is a multi-school campus, housing Monroe Academy for Visual Arts and Design, the High School of World Cultures, Metropolitan Soundview High School, Pan American International High School, Mott Hall V and the Cinema School, along with the Monroe YABC evening program, and students from those schools compete together as James Monroe Campus in the PSAL.
A year ago, James Monroe Campus was starting over. Head coach Ron Yates arrived just before the 2025-26 season began and inherited a rebuilding program that finished 2-17 overall and 2-12 in the PSAL’s 4A Manhattan/Bronx division. One season later, the Eagles look like a different team. A wave of transfers has joined a core of returners, and Yates believes Monroe can now compete with the top PSAL teams in the City.
Yates knows the city game from the inside. Born and raised in Jamaica, Queens, he played at Forest Hills High School, where as a sophomore he helped the Rangers reach the PSAL city finals alongside five future D1 players. A physical, versatile 6’6 forward who could guard multiple positions and handle the ball, he began his college career at UMBC before transferring to Saint Peter’s, where he averaged 14.2 points and 7.0 rebounds as a senior in 2004-05.
After graduating in 2005, Yates spent more than a decade playing professionally overseas. He played in Finland for the Helsinki Seagulls, Korihait and Forssan Koripojat, in France for Quimper and Mulhouse, and in Switzerland for Fribourg Olympic, BBC Monthey and Starwings, with later stops in Uruguay (Larre Borges), Puerto Rico and Argentina. Back home in New York, he also competed on the Fightball 1-on-1 tournament circuit. After retiring, he began teaching and coaching at Eagle Academy for Young Men in Brooklyn before taking over at Monroe.
Coach Yates is constructing his PSAL 4A contender from this 2026-27 roster profiled below.
Ousmane Cisse (2027) 6’5 forward - Cisse transferred back to Monroe from DeWitt Clinton. He can handle, shoot and dunk on opponents, and Yates expects him to be one of the top rebounders in the PSAL and calls him a sleeper in the city. 3.2 gpa
Cristopher Cuevas (2027) forward - A returning senior, Cuevas is an experienced forward who does all the little things that don’t show up on the stat sheet, and he will see time at several forward spots.
Mamadou Diallo (2027) guard - Diallo returns as Monroe’s leading scorer and leader. Lightning quick and one of the best shooters in the city, the combo guard has gone largely unnoticed outside the Bronx, but Yates expects that to change once the season starts. 3.6 gpa
Yousouf Diallo (2027) 6’2 forward - Diallo transferred in this year after finishing among the top five scorers in his 2A league. He does it all, handling, shooting and finishing with the best of them, and now looks to make his impact in the city. 3.8 gpa
Mkye Lightner (2028) guard - A transfer from St. Raymond, Lightner is a skilled guard who can shoot and get to the basket with crafty moves.
Bilial Mashud (2028) - A transfer from Cardinal Hayes, Mashud is one of the most athletic players in the city. Still developing other parts of his game, he is a great rebounder and finisher at the rim whose electrifying dunks will make him a fan favorite.
Matthew Santiago (2028) 6’0 guard - Santiago arrives straight from Eagle Academy for Young Men (Bronx) off a city championship. He can shoot, handle and make reads, and Yates expects him to be one of the top guards in the PSAL.
Sadiq Baturey (2029) forward - Mature beyond his years, Baturey is skilled enough to play multiple positions and has great size for a forward, and he will see a lot of time.
Souleyman Cisse (2029) guard - The future of the Monroe program, Cisse is a dynamic guard and one of the city’s rising stars, and Yates says to be on the lookout for him. Plays club ball with Wiz Kids.
Pedro ‘Peter’ Pizarro (2029) point guard - Pizarro transferred back to Monroe from Louis Brandeis after a borough title there. A true pass-first point guard, he is at his best in the open court and can make elite reads.
Dylan [last name] (2030) guard - A good shooter, the freshman is looking to develop as the season goes on.
Monroe’s 2026-27 schedule and results can be found here.