Albany Academy Joins NEPSAC

In June, it was announced that the Albany Academy boys basketball program would be joining the New England Preparatory Athletic Council (NEPSAC), and compete in the highly competitive Class AA division.  It will be a seamless move, given the school has been competing as a NEPSAC program in both lacrosse and football for 30 years. Only detail I’d add to the article is around the seamless transition. The plan to bring all of thei school’s athletic programs over to NEPSAC over the next two years. 

Albany Academy, established in 1813,  is an independent college preparatory school in Albany, New York. It enrolls students from preK to grade 12.  The Academy was originally chartered to educate the sons of Albany's political elite and rapidly growing merchant class. At the time, Albany was the tenth-largest city in the United States, and remained so through the 1850s due to the prominence of the Erie Canal. It currently enrolls more than 600 students. Most are day school students, but there’s boarding for up to 40 students. 

Over the years, Albany Academy's basketball program has been excellent. One of their alums, Andre Jackson Jr., is currently playing in the NBA  for the Milwaukee Bucks.  One of their current seniors, Jack Louridas  recently committed to play for Yale University. Albany finished the 2024-25 season as New York state's top-ranked Class AA boys' basketball team in the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS).

One of the driving factors in the the school's move to NEPSAC was the fact that NYSAIS voted to cancel it's annual statewide championship tournament. Another consideration was that NEPSAC allows post graduates to compete. A college prospect's ability to add an additional year of maturity and development as a post grad has become even more important over recent years. As the NCAA rule change allowing college players to transfer schools without sitting out a year via the "transfer portal" has skewed college coaches' appetites toward older and more experienced players. A third factor is that being a part of NEPSAC allows schools to have their players play in the two June Scholastic Live Period showcases every year. Those showcases each draw hundreds of college coaches into to scout for their future recruits.

NEPSAC has turned it's region into the nation's biggest source of college-bound basketball players. Many of its schools are boarding schools, which enables them to bring in top talent from both across the nation and globally. It spans seven states. It's presence as a high level of college-basketball in upstate New York has been growing. The Darrow School of New Lebanon, NY finished last computer ranked as the #8 strongest prep school team in the nation. The Hoosac School of Hoosic Falls, like Darrow, runs two separate teams for college development prospects, both of their top teams compete in the NEPSAC AAA division. The Hudson Valley is home to long time NEPSAC college-bound talent producers such as the Trinity Pawling School, The New York Military Academy and the Millbrook School.  NEPSAC also hosts a number of smaller school programs from the Hudson Valley Athletic League. The integration of New York and New England basketball is also being influenced by top Non-NEPSAC programs like Redemption Christian Academy of Troy, NY,  ranked #28 nationally, and the recent formation of the New York City and Long Island based Elite 8 Prep League. While these schools don't vie for a seeding in the NEPSAC post-season tournaments, they do often match-up against the New England schools in nonconference games and many of the high profile showcase events in their regions.

Albany Academy's head coach, Jim Driggs has assembled an impressive roster to compete with this upcoming season. It includes the following key players:

Jamar Macon (2026) 6'9, forward - Macon is a high level athlete who runs the floor well and blocks shots at an elite level. He is an excellent finisher off penetration especially from dunker spot. Only 17, Macon has tremendous upside. He averaged a double-double last year and had several triple doubles with blocked shots. He is hearing from several NEC, MAAC and America East schools

Xavier Lopez  (2026) 5'10, point guard - Lopez is a tough, pass first point guard. Excellent on ball defender, capable of picking up full court. Has great vision and is very good at attacking the paint and making good decisions. Solid 3 point shooter. Lopez has played significant minutes since his freshman year. Hearing from D2 to high academic D3's. 3.8 gpa

Josiah Hyman  (2026) 5'10, combo guard - Hyman started for most of the season last year as the Cadets finished 22-2 and #1 in NY State AA. Hyman led the team in 3pt FG percentage last season shooting 52% from 3. Hyman plays with a high IQ and is very unselfish. Excellent cutter off the ball.  Hyman is hearing from high academic D3s. 3.8 gpa

Jack Louridas (2026) 6'3, guard - (Yale University commit) Louridas is considered one of the top players in NYS last season.  A scorer, Louridas averaged 18ppg and 7rpg last season. He connected on 48% of his 3 point shots. A 3 level scorer, Louridas has improved his explosiveness and decision making and is capable at scoring off the bounce, in the post and on mid-range pull ups. Capable of guarding multiple positions, Louridas has become a legitimate two-way player and aggressive rebounder.

Cyrus Matia (2026) 6'7 small forward, Albany Academy (NY) - A four year starter, Matia is a legitimate inside outside threat. Matia average 10points and 8rpg last season. He has the ability to pick and pop as well as post up and score. Matia is an excellent 3 point shooter and FT shooter. One of the top forwards in upstate NY, Matia has the ability to guard multiple positions. Receiving University of Albany, NE-10, NESCAC, UAA, Liberty League interest. 3.9 gpa

Antonio Farley (2027) 6'7, small forward - Farley is a skilled small forward who makes 3's and can attack off the dribble. He averaged 25ppg and 8 rpg last year at Canajoharie High.

Daniel Smalls (2027) 6'0, combo guard - Very quick guard with tight handle and ability to get into lane. 1000 point scorer at Niskayuna High. He averaged 27ppg and 6apg.

Elijah Taylor  (2027) 5'10, point guard - Returning starter played a huge role on last year's team as a soph. Tough point guard who can really shoot it. Had multiple double digit point games last year. Very good at running a team. High IQ. Excellent on ball defender. Someone to watch closely in class of '27.  3.7 gpa

Jayden Oliver (2028) 6'0, guard, Albany Academy (NY) - A Florida native, Oliver has big upside as a play making guard. Oliver is a good athlete and very quick with the ball.