Basketball School’s Big Exit: The Fall of a Powerhouse

A well‑known basketball academy in Connecticut is shutting down. The school had been a top contender, winning five national titles in seven years. For the past few seasons it produced elite players. One standout was Hamidou Diallo, a five‑star recruit who became the first from the school to be drafted into the NBA. Financial trouble hit hard. The academy owes about $1. 6 million in federal liens and has unpaid staff wages. Its property is facing foreclosure, and it lost accreditation last November. Local radio confirmed the closure. The school’s president issued a statement that focused on staff salaries, not on varsity sports.

Coach Tom Espinosa led the team to a national championship last season, defeating Oakdale St. Thomas More and Geneva Spire Academy. Most players are one‑year post‑graduates who leave for college afterward. Last year’s roster included Ben Ahmed, a four‑star recruit from Oklahoma State and the 74th overall pick in the 2025 draft. The team’s success earned a spot in the Overtime Elite league, aiming to send players to top colleges and professional teams. With the school gone, Espinosa and his athletes must find new programs to coach and play for. The loss of this basketball hub raises questions about the sustainability of elite prep schools.

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