Crestwood Preparatory College joins National Preparatory Association
Crestwood Preparatory College is the newest expansion team joining the National Preparatory Association (NPA) for the 2017-2018 season.
The private school from North York in Toronto, ON begins a new era in elite basketball programming, and will compete in the dominant Southeast Division along with St. Michael’s College, Toronto Basketball Academy and Central Tech Prep.
“Crestwood Preparatory College will be soon entering its third decade as a leader in educating young men and women in Toronto,” explained school Headmaster Vince Pagano.
“Part of that education involves an immersion in co-curricular activities that only enhance a student’s life. Basketball has been on our agenda since our inception. We will now commit the resources necessary to take the sport to another level.”
“The NPA’s consideration of individual student needs in a highly competitive athletic atmosphere makes it a perfect partner for the school’s own initiatives.”
Crestwood Head Coach Ro Russell, hired in 2016, in large part due to his longevity in the Canadian basketball community, is also the founder of Grassroots Canada–one of the country’s top club programs since 1990.
Some of the country’s brightest stars have come through the GRC program, including NBAers Tristan Thompson (Cleveland Cavaliers), Cory Joseph (Toronto Raptors), Dwight Powell (Dallas Mavericks) and Nik Stauskas (Philadelphia 76rs).
“Ro Russell has been a giant in southern Ontario basketball for many years. He understands the game and understands the young people who play it so passionately under his tutelage,” stated Pagano.
“We are very proud to have him lead our basketball program. Under his guidance, we expect effort levels and loyalty to our fundamental school values to improve across the board. We have already had ample evidence of that.”
Russell enters his second year at the helm of Crestwood Preparatory College’s basketball program.
“He looks forward to leading CPC students into the NPA and will most assuredly add to the sound and promising future of both the school and this excellent organization,” continued Pagano.
Russell is excited about the program’s future on and off the floor.
“Our staff and I strive to match the level of academic excellence with high level basketball going forward,” said Russell.
Crestwood Prep comes into the NPA with a young and very hungry group ready to compete.
Many top prospects call Crestwood Prep home, including 6’3 guard Jahcobi Neath (2019), 6’3 guard Tahron Allen (2021), 6’5 wing Matthew Nelsons (2021), and the number one ranked player in North America, 6’4 athletic wing Elijah Fisher (2023).
Russell is attracted by the exposure his players will receive from North Pole Hoops by joining the NPA Prep League.
“Combined with live streaming of games, heavy media and social media exposure, our student-athletes will get the Canadian competition, exposure and experience they need for post-secondary opportunities.”
The NPA, launched November 2016 is coming off a successful inaugural year, making Canadian basketball history and crowning the first ever high school national champion, as Ottawa’s Canada Topflight Academy claimed the title.
Stay tuned on NPH for more expansion new coming soon, as progams will be announced from across the country.
Follow @NPACanada on Twitter and Instagram for the latest!
