The Phelps School Prep Team 2026-27 Player Profiles
Founded in 1946, The Phelps School is an all-boys boarding and day school for grades 6-12 and post graduates in Malvern, PA, west of Philadelphia. It enrolls about 100 students, with an average class size of seven. Phelps runs one of the top boys boarding school basketball programs in Pennsylvania, with two college preparatory teams. The National team, made up of high school players and led by head coach and basketball program director Saige Spece, competes for the PAISAA state championship, which it won in 2015 and 2024, and it made its first appearance in the National Prep Championship in 2025.
The Lions' Prep team is made up of post graduates using an extra year to mature physically, adjust to college-level strength training and build their recruitment. The Lions went 26-7 in 2025-26 and sent 14 players on to four-year college programs. This season's slate includes The Patrick School, Perkiomen, Lawrenceville, Hun, Mercersburg, Erie Prep, Brunswick and Jean-de-Brébeuf, along with the Westtown Invitational, the Peddie Invitational, BasketBull HoopFest, the MADE Holiday event, the Dennis Gregory Classic and Big Shots Prep Nationals .
Mike Hamlin is entering his second season as head coach of Phelps' post grad team, bringing nearly 18 years of college coaching experience. A Philadelphia native who played at Fels High (PA), where he was a senior co-captain, Hamlin took over the program in July 2025 and led it to a 26-7 record and a strong showing at Big Shots Prep Nationals in his first season, while helping 14 players move on to four-year college programs. He began coaching as an undergraduate student assistant at Bloomsburg University (D2) in 2007, graduated in 2011 and stayed on the Huskies' staff through 2013-14. In 2011-12, he helped Bloomsburg win 19 games and earn its first playoff berth in more than a decade, and the staff was named PSAC Coaching Staff of the Year. He spent the 2014-15 season as a full-time assistant at Mansfield University (D2), then returned to Bloomsburg for seven seasons as a full-time assistant. He moved up to D1 in July 2022, joining the staff at NJIT as director of basketball operations, and was promoted to assistant coach in 2023, staying through 2025. His teams are built on disciplined team defense, clogging gaps, closing out hard on shooters and turning rebounds into transition offense.
The team's 2026-27 players are profiled below.
Dean Aviles Dean Aviles (2027) 5'10, 175 lb guard - From Manalapan, NJ, Aviles is an athletic guard with shooting range and a physical edge to his game that carries over from his football days. He is drawing D3 recruiting attention. 3.3 gpa
Syaire Barnes (2027) 5'10, 160 lb guard - From Phoenixville, PA, Barnes is an electric scorer at all three levels who will play a huge part in the Phelps offense, and despite his size he regularly plays at and above the rim. He is drawing D2 interest.
Jonas Chester (2027) 6'8, 180 lb forward - From Coatesville, PA, Chester is a skilled face-up forward who stretches the floor with his shooting and passing and plays with a high IQ on both ends, and his strength and physicality are improving daily. He is being recruited at the D2 level and has drawn some D1 interest. 3.0 gpa
Almahdi Dial (2027) 6'5, 190 lb wing - From Greenacres, FL, Dial is a wing with size who can score inside and out, guards multiple positions and is improving daily as a three-point shooter. He is drawing D2 interest.
Danny Garcia (2027) 6'0, 175 lb guard - From Staten Island, NY, Garcia is a knockdown three-point shooter and a high-motor guard with a huge competitive spirit who serves as a leader on and off the court. He is a D3 priority and is drawing D2 interest. 3.3 gpa
Tyler Johnson (2027) 6'0, 162 lb wing - From Willow Grove, PA, Johnson is a two-way wing who will compete for minutes with his quickness and versatility. 3.0 gpa
Jaden Mason (2027) 6'0, 180 lb point guard - From Paterson, NJ, Mason is a floor general who will look to steady the ship for the Lions. He has a strong build and a high basketball IQ, and he is a solid three-point shooter. He is being recruited at the D2 level. 3.1 gpa
Elijah Muhammad (2027) 5'8, 150 lb guard - From Delanco, NJ, Muhammad is a quick guard who is developing into a floor general.
Merrick Olkowski (2027) 6'7, 188 lb wing - From Montclair, NJ, Olkowski is one of the more versatile players at the prep level, a high-level shooter from the perimeter who can also score around the rim. His mix of athleticism and skill makes him an intriguing scholarship-level prospect. He has received D2 offers and is drawing D1 interest. 3.4 gpa
Matthew Reilly (2027) 6'5, 200 lb forward - From Mahopac, NY, Reilly is a high-motor, physical presence who will be a force at the prep level and scores at the rim, and his coaches call him one of the greatest kids you will come across. He is a D3 priority. 3.1 gpa
Savion Ruth (2027) 6'0, 187 lb - From Jersey City, NJ, Ruth is currently sidelined with an injury. 3.5 gpa
Kahlik Thomas (2027) 6'4, 193 lb wing - From Rahway, NJ, Thomas is a high-motor wing who plays for keeps, and his scoring in the half court and in transition reflects the work he puts in daily. Expect him to be a big-time two-way player at the prep level. He is being recruited at the D2 level and has drawn D1 interest. 3.2 gpa
Trevor Webster (2027) 6'4, 195 lb wing - From Elkton, MD, Webster is a jack of all trades who handles it, shoots it and plays at and above the rim, and his size and versatility will be key for the Lions. He has received D3 offers and is being recruited at the D2 level. 3.2 gpa
Elijah Wilson (2027) 6'0, 180 lb guard - From Chester Springs, PA, Wilson is a knockdown three-point shooter and the ultimate team guy. He is drawing D3 recruiting attention. 4.1 gpa
The team's 2026-27 game schedule and results can be found by clicking here