Can Fort Erie Repeat as NPA National Champions?

As defending NPA National champions, Fort Erie International Academy (FEIA) enters the new season embracing their perennial underdog mentality, even after losing multiple seniors, including 5 Division 1 commits:

Ishan Sharma (Virginia)

Oliver Faubert (Saint Mary’s)

Felix Kossaras (Colorado)

Brayden Jackson (Buffalo)

Christian Nitu (Florida State)

With all this in mind, can Fort Erie Repeat as NPA National Champs?

Head Coach Charles Hantamakous acknowledges the target on their back but welcomes the challenge.

“We love it. Best effort wins—target on our backs is how we like it,” says Hantamakous, expressing excitement mixed with a sense of resolve as the team grinds its way back through early-season hurdles.

Navigating Injuries and Absences

The road to repeating as champions is already fraught with setbacks. Key players are sidelined by injuries and other issues. 2025 Top dog Christopher Kumo is abroad, while Jihad and Hadi El Khatib (Lebanese Imports via Dubai) are held back by paperwork delays. 

Giannos Xanthopoulos, a 6’10” forward from Greece, is limited due to an ankle injury. Despite these challenges, Hantamakous remains optimistic, relying on the team’s depth and resilience.

Marial Akuentok, last year’s 2025 NPA Player of the Year, is out rehabbing a knee injury, working on strengthening and fitness to avoid future setbacks. 

Quebec City’s 2026 6’4 Guard Promis N’Landu another key player, is recovering from a mild concussion, providing younger players a chance to step up.

Rising Stars – Next Man Up 

Fort Erie is banking on its young talent to make an impact this season. Along with N’Landu, National Team Member Mahliq Guiseppi-Kitson (Scarborough, ON), a 6’6″ forward from the 2026 class, is a standout with his physical drives and finishing ability, earning him the nickname “Baby Carmelo.”

From the 2027 class, 6’1″ guard Daven Larosiliere is known for his quickness and relentless defense. His shot selection will improve as he learns under the tutelage of Coach Hantoumakos & Kemy Osse.

Deng Ngor, a 6’8″ forward from Calgary (Edge Transfer), brings a versatile skill set and is expected to make significant contributions. He plays with a high motor and is gifted with an ambidextrous skill set, with a knack for attacking and scoring at all three levels. Ngor made his mark last season in the NPA, establishing himself as one of the top young prospects in the league to keep an eye on. Let’s see what he does this season.

Adding depth are Crue Gard, a 6’10” forward from Winnipeg, Manitoba showing promise as a passer, and Pierre Charles, a 6’4 elite defender and capable shot-maker.

Reload, Not Rebuild

Despite the influx of new faces, Hantoumakos insists this season is about reloading, not rebuilding.

“We’re growing together as a club,” he says. “It’s a rinse-and-repeat formula—outwork everybody and develop the youngsters.”

This year’s senior group includes Marial Akuentok, Giannos Xanthopoulos, Jihad El-Khatib, Tristan Beckford, and Christopher Kumu. 

In National Team member and stock riser Tristan Beckford, (who is one of the Top 2025’s in the country) Coach Charles sees an elite defender like Lu Dort and Leonard Miller, making the defensive comparison to both NBA players who he has previously coached.

“Only two other guys who I have coached in the past, (Lu Dort & Leonard Miller) can do what Tristan does defensively, and cover as much ground,” Hantamakous notes.

Facing New Challenges

Fort Erie looks forward to a competitive NPA season against strong opponents like newly added Iowa United Prep (first USA team in league) who on paper, might be the biggest threat for the national crown, having NPH #1-ranked 2026 Arafan Diane, complemented with a loaded roster of size, skill and athleticism.

NPA Finalist Royal Crown, Ridley College, CSJV & Fort Erie (Steve Houston) are returning groups that look poised to be in the mix to battle with the best, along with programs that could surprise like St Jude’s, RNS, Hodan Prep & others due to combination of roster, coaching and wildcard player additions.

Plain and simple, everyone in the NPA is a threat. No days off.

Known for relentless work ethic and defense, Coach Hantamakous keeps his team focused on playing hard against everyone. 

“Who do we like playing? Everyone,” he says, highlighting the team’s eagerness to take on all challengers.

As the season unfolds, Fort Erie’s journey will be defined not just by wins and losses but by how they navigate adversity, come together as a team and continue to outwork everyone. 

The champions see themselves as life-long underdogs, and it is that mindset that allows them to rise up as champions.

Can Fort Erie go back to back in a much stronger NPA Field?

The 2024-2025 season is upon us. Let’s get it on.