The Bright School 2026-27 Player Profiles
The Bright School is a preparatory academy located in New Britain, CT dedicated to building college basketball bound student-athletes. It was founded by former professional basketball player Ta’Quan Zimmerman. Zimmerman's give-back efforts in building the program are likely influenced by his own story. He graduated as a high school star from Holy Cross High (CT) in 2009 but had no scholarship offers. He got himself into a PG year at Putnam Science Academy (CT), set the school's scoring record and created himself a path to a college education, and ultimately onto playing pro basketball. The academy ran under the name We Believe Academy for its first two years (2022-24) before changing the name to The Bright School. The program is built mainly to develop high school post graduates' basketball potential, but for those that need more classroom work, there is an online education component available to them.
The team competes in the Power 5 AAA conference and in a number of nonconference games against other college basketball prep programs in the region.
Prior to this season, Brian Stasaitis ran the program, but he was hired away this past spring to be the new head men's basketball coach at Connecticut State Gateway. Davon Usher has now taken over as the team's head coach. Usher is a former professional basketball player who brings a combination of playing and coaching experience to The Bright School. His professional career included stops in the NBA Summer League, Italy, Iceland, the NBA G League, Hungary and Australia. As a coach, Usher has led programs at the high school and collegiate levels. He focuses on player development, academics, character, and preparing student-athletes for the next level. Usher is showing the early signs of being a program builder, in that he has quickly assembled The Bright School's best and deepest roster ever, as profiled below.
Cory Ballard (2027) 5’10 point guard - Ballard is a competitive point guard with a strong floor-general mentality and experience playing high-level basketball in New York. He has the ability to create off the dribble, attack gaps, and make quick decisions in pick-and-roll situations. His experience in the NYC basketball environment gives him toughness and confidence, while his point-guard instincts allow him to organize an offense and make winning plays. Plays club ball with Hoop House Premier. RTB profile
Geo Boley (2027) 6'3 guard - From Jackson Memorial High (NJ) 2025-26 Class A South Player of the Year. 2025-26 First Team All-Shore. He averaged 17.4 ppg,| 4.0 rpg, 3.1 apg and 1.2 spg for his 2025-26 Class A South Champions team. Boley is a versatile guard with good size and the ability to contribute in multiple areas. He can play on or off the ball, attack defenders, and use his size to make plays around the perimeter. His combination of length, athleticism, and versatility gives him upside as a two-way perimeter player. Boley decommitted from his West Georgia D1 offer to come to Bright to get further developed and exposure. Receiving interest from Monmouth, La Salle, Albany and Marist. Plays club ball with Philly Pride-UAA.
Mohamed Camara (2027) 5’10 point guard - From CRAL Division IV Champion, Cheney Tech CT, Camara is a high-IQ, dynamic point guard with a tight handle, explosive change of pace, and the ability to create his own shot. He excels at getting downhill, manipulating defenders with hesitations and ball screens, and making plays for teammates. Camara brings toughness and quickness on the defensive end, making him a disruptive on-ball defender. His combination of playmaking, scoring versatility, and competitive mentality gives him the tools to be a difference-maker at the next level. Plays club ball with Rhode Island Elite and CT Young Bulls. RTB profile
Amadou Diallo (2027) 6'8 forward - Diallo is a long, athletic forward with excellent size and the versatility to impact the game on both ends. He can rebound, finish around the basket, defend inside, and use his length to disrupt opposing offenses. His combination of size, athleticism, and defensive potential gives him significant frontcourt upside.
Pavel Benjamin (2027) 6'8 forward - Benjamin is a skilled, physical frontcourt player who provides size and length inside. He has the ability to compete on the glass, finish around the rim, and use his size to create advantages in the paint. His length and physical presence give his team a valuable interior presence.
Kaylin Dunbar (2027) 6'10 forward - Dunbar is a big, physical frontcourt player who gives a roster legitimate size and interior strength. He has experience playing both forward and center and can use his size to rebound, defend the paint, and finish around the basket. Dunbar’s physical presence gives the team an important interior option.
Daryion Faustin (2027) 6'0 guard - From New Hampshire, 2026 NHBCO Division IV First Team All-State. Hel ed New Hampshire high schoolers in regular-season scoring, averaging 24.8 ppg. Faustin is a strong, physical guard who brings toughness and competitiveness to the backcourt. He has the ability to attack the basket, create scoring opportunities, and make plays with the ball in his hands. His physical approach and willingness to compete on both ends give him the potential to be a dependable two-way guard.
Michael Fitzpatrick (2027) 6'6 guard - Fitzpatrick is a big, versatile perimeter player who can create matchup problems with his size and skill. He has the ability to play multiple positions, attack smaller defenders, and contribute as a scorer and rebounder. His versatility allows him to impact the game both on the wing and around the basket. Receiving Interest from Lehigh, Navy, Iona and Hofstra. Plays club ball with Gravelly Point. Video highlights RTB profile
Lucas Pivovar (2027) 6'0 guard - From Kolbe Cathedral High (CT) and Bridgeport Prep (CT), 2024-25 All-South-West Conference First Team — Pivovar is a skilled, confident guard with proven shot-making ability and a versatile offensive game. He can create his own shot, attack closeouts, and score from multiple levels. Pivovar’s toughness, creativity, and ability to play both guard positions make him a valuable offensive weapon. RTB profile
Shareef Smith (2027) 6'7 forward - Smith is a long, physical forward who brings size, toughness, and versatility to the frontcourt. He has the tools to rebound, finish around the basket, defend multiple positions, and make plays in transition. His physical presence gives the team another strong option on both ends of the floor.
Jamal Stanley (2027) 6’2 guard - From Keene High (NH), 2025-26 NHBCO Division I All-State Second Team. Stanley is a long, athletic guard who brings length and versatility to the backcourt. He has the tools to attack the rim, make plays in transition, and defend multiple perimeter positions. His size at the guard position gives him the ability to create matchup problems while contributing on both ends of the floor. RTB profile
Camari Stewart (2027) 6'6 small forward - From Back-to-back Maryland 3A State Champion Baltimore City College (which is a high school), 2025-26 Maryland 3A/4A First Team All-State. 2025-26 Baltimore Sun First-Team All-Metro. 2026 MPSSAA 3A All-Tournament Team. Stewart is a versatile two-way wing with a smooth offensive game and the ability to impact the game in multiple areas. He can score from different spots on the floor, rebound at a high level, and defend multiple positions. Stewart’s combination of size, skill, versatility, and experience makes him one of the more complete players on the roster. Receiving Interest from Nicholls State, North Carolina A&T, Morgan State and Jacksonville State. Plays club ball with Team Thrill-UAA.
Tourean Thompson (2027) 5'10 point guard - 2025 Maryland 3A State Champion. MADE Hoops Nationals Champion. MADE Hoops 3-Point Contest Champion. Thompson is a quick, competitive point guard who brings toughness, ball-handling ability, and playmaking instincts to the backcourt. He has the ability to push tempo, create off the dribble, and put pressure on opposing defenses. Thompson’s competitive mentality and ability to make plays with the ball in his hands give him the tools to control the pace of a game. Plays club ball with Team Thrill UAA.
To accommodate college scout visits, The Bright School holds a schedule of Fall Open Gym runs, the details of which can be found in the title graphic above.
The team’s 2026-27 game schedule and results can be found by clicking here.