CIAC Key Returners

There is much uncertainty with Connecticut high school basketball at this point. The CIAC has moved the potential start date to December 17th, but this is unlikely. The top prospects in the state may not have the opportunity to play until 2021 but here are a few players to keep on your radar.  Matt Curtis Matt Curtis 6'3" | CG Northwest Catholic | 2022 State , 6’3" SG, Northwest Catholic, 2022 The 2019-2020 Connecticut Second Team All-State performer averaged 23.6 points per game last season. After an outstanding summer, he has picked up offers from UMass, Fairfield, Hartford, and Bryant.  Donovan Clingan Donovan Clingan 7'1" | C Bristol Central | 2022 State #59 Nation , 7’1" C, Bristol Central, 2022 Clingan returns 24.8 points, 17.2 rebounds, and 6.4 blocks per game. Headed into his junior year he’s already eclipsed 1000 points and 750 rebounds. He holds a number of high major offers and continues to improve.  Connor Tierney Connor Tierney 7'0" | C Sacred Heart Waterbury | 2021 State , 7’0" C, Sacred Heart, 2021 Connor will return much-needed size in the middle for Sacred Heart. His role will be vastly different this year. The team will lean on him more this season to lead the way.  Troy McKoy Troy McKoy 6'5" | SF Windsor | 2023 State #188 Nation , 6’5" SF, Windsor, 2023 McKoy continues to build a reputation nationwide after earning 'Top 30 Cream of the Crop' at the Pangos All American Camp. With Corey McKeithan, Amir Spears, and others graduating he will have to be the focal point for Windsor.  Avery Hinnant Avery Hinnant 6'6" | SF Naugatuck | 2022 State , 6’6" F, Naugatuck, 2022 Avery led Naugatuck to a 22-1 record and their first Naugatuck Valley League tournament title in 51 years. He's one of the more physical players in the state who does the dirty work to help the team win.   Dion Perkins Dion Perkins 6'4" | SG Springfield Commonwealth Academy | 2022 State , 6’4’ SG, Seymour, 2021 Dion had an impressive stat line last season averaging 24.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 2.2 steals per game. He also scored a career-high 48 points last season in a tough matchup against Torrington on New Year's Eve. Ben Carroll Ben Carroll 6'7" | PF Notre Dame | 2021 State , 6’7" F, Notre Dame-West Haven, 2021 The 2019-2020 All-SCC Selection was one of the most underrated players in the state last season. The southpaw produces at a high level on both ends. Ben's soft touch in the paint and ability to step out to the perimeter makes him a matchup nightmare.  Keyshawn Mitchell Keyshawn Mitchell 6'8" | SG Capital Prep | 2022 State , 6’9" W, Capital Prep, 2022 Keyshawn is a wiry versatile wing with a ton of upside. He returns 12.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game. Last season he put together ten double-double performances, knocking on the door of multiple triple-doubles.  Additional Key Players to Watch Akim Joseph Akim Joseph 6'6" | SF Trinity Catholic | 2021 State , 6’6" F, Notre Dame Fairfield, 2021 Brody Limric Brody Limric 6'8" | PF St. Andrews | 2022 State , 6’6" F, East Catholic, 2021 Cam Garcia, 5’11" PG, Watertown, 2021 Daniel Wellington Daniel Wellington 5'9" | PG Kolbe Cathedral | 2021 State , 5’6" PG, Kolbe Cathedral, 2021 Dereyk Grant Dereyk Grant 5'11" | PG Wilbur Cross | 2021 State , 5’10" CG, Wilbur Cross, 2021 Dustin Garrison, 5’8" PG Windham Tech, 2021 Eli Blackwell Eli Blackwell 5'9" | PG Amistad | 2021 State , 5’8" PG, West Haven, 2021 Elon Munroe, 5’10" PG, SMSA Ese Onakpoma Ese Onakpoma 6'1" | CG Naugatuck | 2023 State , 6’1" CG, Naugatuck, 2022 Jabari Jones Jabari Jones 6'2" | PG Ledyard | 2021 State , 6’2" W, Ledyard, 2021 Jack Hall, 6’3" G, Avon, 2021 Jason James, 6’0" G, St. Joseph, 2023 Johnny McCain Johnny McCain 6'1" | PG Canterbury | 2023 State , 6’1" CG, Trumbull, 2022 Luke Strole, 6’3" CG, East Catholic, 2021 Malcolm Duncanson, 5’11" PG, West Haven, 2021 Mike Green Mike Green 6'5" | SF Hamden | 2021 State , 6’5" W, Hamden, 2021 Rassoul Abakar, 6’9" F/C, Notre Dame Fairfield, 2021 Sheldon Schuler, 6’3" W, Ansonia, 2021 Tyrell Staples-Santos Tyrell Staples-Santos 6'1" | PG Kolbe Cathedral | 2022 State , 6’1" PG, Kolbe Cathedral, 2022 Tyshawn Jackson Tyshawn Jackson 5'10" | PG Prince Tech | 2021 State , 5’10" PG, Prince Tech, 2021 Vincent Martinez, 6’0" PG, Maloney, 2021