Redeeming Talent in the Upstate: Redemption Christian Academy (NY) 2026-27 Player Profiles
Redemption Christian Academy was founded in 1979 in Troy, NY, six miles northeast of Albany, by Pastor John Massey, Jr., on the premise that any student, regardless of race, sex, or background, could achieve academic excellence in the right environment. It is one of only four historically Black boarding schools in the nation. It serves roughly 100 students, Kindergarten through 12th grade with a post grad year. It has the ability to support students with ADD/ADHD and mild learning differences, and it runs a Spanish dual-language immersion program. It is able to fund scholarships and operating costs by running an on campus commercial bakery, Goodway Gourmet that ships products across the nation. Students work in the bakery. The school calls it a "living classroom" where students, staff, and volunteers work side by side baking, packaging, and fulfilling orders, learning discipline, consistency, and ownership.
The basketball program has been a key launching pad for college basketball prospects. They routinely produce D1 players. Imahri Wooten '26, a nationally ranked player by 247 Sports committed to Rutgers University after receiving multiple D1 offers, including Penn State, Bryant, Seton Hall, St. John's, UMass, Miami, Arizona State, Auburn, Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, Missouri, NJIT, St. Bonaventure, Syracuse, UAlbany, Virginia Tech and Wichita State.
The basketball program is headed by Tristan Wilchcombe and is currently running three college prep teams. Wilchcombe coaches the NEIPL team and is assisted by Brandon Lewis. The Post Grad National team is coached by Brandon Dominique Ingram, and the Regional team is coached by Jason Harrison. Wilchcombe has been on the Lions' staff since 2013 and has coached at every level of the program. Wilchcombe grew up in the Bahamas and played at St. John's College in Nassau. A Bahamian pipeline of talent that he has feeding into Redemption has been part of the success. Coach Lewis has been an indispensable asset to the program since 2012 and is the school's Assistant Athletic Director. Coach Ingram is an alumnus of RCA, a former college player and now in his second year back coaching with the program. Coach Harrison is a young coach with an extremely bright coaching career ahead. He brings a ton of experience from running his own AAU program
The Post Grad National team competes in the Power 5 AAA conference and takes on high level non-conference opponents as well. The NEIPL team competes in the New England Independent Prep League AAA division. The Regional team competes in the Power 5 AA conference. The teams also tend to take a big trip each year to participate in a high level national showcase, such as Beach Blast, hosted by IMG Academy in Florida or the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas.
The 2026-27 Redemption Christian Academy program will include the players profiled below.
Osi Akhigbe (2027) 6’5 wing - Akhigbe is a talented scorer who plays with tremendous pace and composure. He has a unique ability to slow the game down, get to his spots, and create quality scoring opportunities without being rushed. Akhigbe is also a legitimate catch-and-shoot threat, making him dangerous both with and without the basketball. His combination of size, patience, and scoring ability gives him intriguing offensive versatility. 4.0 gpa RTB profile
Miguel Chaparro (2027) 6'0 point guard - Chaparro is a true floor general with outstanding court vision and a natural feel for creating offense. What separates him is his ability to break down a defense with the intention of creating an advantage for a teammate, rather than simply hunting his own shot. He is more than capable of scoring the basketball, but his playmaking and defensive presence often make an even bigger impact. Chaparro brings the type of unselfishness and decision-making coaches want from the point guard position.
Darius Chizer (2027) 6'1 guard - Chizer is an aggressive combo guard capable of putting points on the board from virtually anywhere on the floor. He can create his own offense, stretch defenses from the perimeter, and also use his court vision to create opportunities for teammates. What could separate Chizer, however, is the toughness and competitiveness he brings defensively. A guard who can score, facilitate, and compete on the defensive end is always a dangerous combination.
Lincoln Harper (2027) 6’6 small forward - Harper is the definition of a glue guy - the type of player whose value extends far beyond the box score. He rebounds at a high level, shoots the basketball effectively, finishes around the rim, and consistently makes winning plays. He understands how to play within the flow of the game and doesn’t need the basketball in his hands to make an impact. Every successful team needs players who connect the pieces, and Harper has the ability to be exactly that.
Aneaje Kearney (2027) 6’5 wing - Kearney is a versatile player whose biggest impact may come on the defensive end. His size, length, and athleticism allow him to defend multiple positions and take on some of the toughest assignments on the floor. Offensively, he provides additional value as a capable three-point shooter who can space the floor. His two-way versatility makes him an extremely valuable piece.
Uzziah Morton (2027) 6’10 forward - Morton is a workhorse big who gives Redemption a legitimate presence in the frontcourt. He can score around the basket, compete on the glass, and has continued to develop the ability to step outside and knock down the open three. His combination of size and floor-spacing potential gives him versatility that is increasingly valuable at the next level. Morton has the tools to make this a significant season in his recruitment.
Jaaziah O’Brien (2027) 6’3 guard- 2025-26 Big 6 All Conference Honorable Mention. 2025-26 All Power 5 AAA Second Team. O’Brien enters the year as an exciting prospect with the tools to make a significant jump. His explosive athleticism immediately stands out, but his ability to score at all three levels makes him much more than simply an athlete. O’Brien can put pressure on defenses in transition, attack the basket, and create offense from the perimeter. Has been offered by Alabama A&M and is drawing interest from Boston University, Youngstown State, and Marshall. RTB profile
Jenoi Robinson (2027) 6’2 guard - Robinson reinvented his game in the offseason. He is a shifty guard that plays with bounce and can get in the paint with ease. He is an excellent shooter as well. RTB profile
Donavan Thomas (2027) 6’2 point guard - Thomas is a tenacious two-way point player who sets the tone with his defensive intensity. Offensively, he has the ability to score at all three levels while consistently creating opportunities for those around him. His ability to change speeds, get into the paint, and make the right read makes him difficult to contain. Thomas' combination of playmaking and defensive toughness gives him the ability to impact the game on both ends.
Trey Webb (2027) 6’1 guard - Webb plays with heart, passion and a love for the game. He has unlimited range, a pure shooter. He is also a willing passer and moves really well off the ball. 3.7 gpa RTB profile
Landon Whiting (2027) 6’7 small forward - Whiting brings an intriguing combination of size, toughness, and perimeter shooting. He is physical around the basket and isn’t afraid of contact, while also possessing the ability to step away from the paint and knock down shots. That inside-out versatility can create difficult matchups for opposing frontcourts. Whiting has the tools to become a major contributor on both ends of the floor this season.
Shiloh Wilchcombe (2027) 6’2 point guard - Wilchcombe is a big athletic guard with a 6’9 wingspan. He plays the right way and is a capable shooter with a good feel for the game. He plays with poise and pace. Wilchcombe can get downhill, create opportunities and is a very willing passer. 3.7 gpa RTB profile
Elyas Zapata (2027) 6’4 shooting guard - Zapata is a floor-spacing shooting guard with legitimate range well beyond the three-point line. His shooting ability forces defenses to account for him at all times and creates additional space for his teammates to operate. But Zapata isn’t simply a shooter, his defensive tenacity and willingness to compete make him a factor on the other end as well. He has the tools to make opposing scorers work for everything they get.
Jordane Brown (2028) 6'3 guard - Brown is automatic from the mid-range. He is a great defender. He has a high energy level and plays both ends of the floor at a high level.
Almoustapha Hama Ide (2028) 6'10 forward - Hama Ide is going to be a name to remember. He is an excellent shooter with a pure stroke and soft touch. He has an extremely high IQ and is more than a capable passer. Hama Ide reads the defense well. He is good around the basket and moves very fluidly. Tremendous ceiling, Coach Wilchcombe is projecting Hama Ida as a future professional player.
Jahleel Joseph (2028) 6'6 small forward - Joseph is an athletic, 3&D, high motor and long slasher. He is a hard-nosed player that does it all in a very efficient way. Joseph has tremendous character and is a hard worker. Excellent plug and play team player.
Michael Sahlieh (2028) 6'7 shooting guard - Sahlieh is an excellent shooter with great size. He has a smooth touch with a pure release. He has a really good feel for the game, and his height helps him to see and shoot over defenses. Coach Wilchcombe is projecting Sahlieh as a future High Major recruit.
Christopher Patrick (2029) 6'6 point guard - Patrick possesses all of the tools to be an elite player at the highest level. He is long, athletic and plays with energy and a high motor. He is a fluid guard that can shoot the ball very well. A fun player to watch.
Prince Lynch (2030) 6'3 guard - Lynch is very explosive in the open court. He gets downhill with ease. Lynch is a big guard that plays extremely physical. He is relentless on the glass and plays with a high motor. Although only 15 years ago, Lynch seems to be headed towards being a High Major recruit in his future.
Judah Wilchcombe (2030) 5'9 point guard - Wilchcombe has a great feel for the game. He plays the game the right way and is a great student of the game. Very mature game for his age
To accommodate college scout visits, RCA holds a schedule of Fall Open Gym runs, the details of which can be found by clicking here.
The Post Grad National team’s 2026-27 game schedule and results can be found by clicking here.
The NEIPL team’s 2026-27 game schedule and results can be found by clicking here.
The Regional team’s 2026-27 game schedule and results can be found by clicking here.