The 2020 GameTimeCT All-State Boys Basketball team. Compiled by Joe Morelli. Photos by Hearst Connecticut Media and were submitted. Designed by Pete Paguaga and Sean Patrick Bowley.
Boys Basketball All-State Lineups
FIRST TEAM
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Player of the Year
Matt Knowling
East Catholic, Senior, Forward
Stats: The 6-4 guard/forward averaged 24 points, eight rebounds and six assists per game for the Eagles, the CCC tournament champions. Scored over 1,000 career points. Team finished 23-1 and was ranked No. 1 heading into the Division I state tournament. Finished with a 101-5 career record.
Honors: All-CCC and coaches all-state selection. Selected to play in both the CHSCA and JCC Schoolboy/Schoolgirl Classic. Game MVP in the GHPA Invitational.
Off the court: Compiled a 4.0 GPA. High honors every marking period.
Up next: Will play at Yale next season.
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Coach of the Year
Michael Wilson
Naugatuck
Stats: Led the Greyhounds to a 22-1 record, including the school’s first Naugatuck Valley League tournament championship since 1969. The 19 regular-season victories are the most in school history. Has a 117-96 overall mark in 10 seasons at his alma mater, where he is the all-time leading scorer.
Previously: Played at both Rider and St. Francis (N.Y.), then was an assistant coach at St. Francis before returning to his alma mater. Former GTCT/Register all-state selection while at Naugatuck (1999).
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Donovan Clingan
Bristol Central, Sophomore, Center
Stats: The 7-foot center averaged 24.8 points, 17.2 rebounds and 6.4 blocks for the Rams. Also shot 66 percent from the floor. Finished two points shy of tying the single-season scoring record. Has scored 1000 career points and has over 750 career rebounds.
Honors: All-CCC and coaches all-state selection.
Off the court: Honor roll student every quarter.
Up next: Already has offers from UConn, Georgetown, Syracuse, UMass and Providence.
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Ta’Zhon Daniels
Hillhouse, Senior, Guard
Stats: The 5-9 guard averaged 15 points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals per game for the Academics.
Honors: Two-time All-Area and All-SCC First Team selection. Coaches all-state pick.
Up next: Will play at Albertus Magnus next year.
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Justin Davis
Crosby, Senior, Guard
Stats: The 5-11 guard and captain averaged 29 points, six rebounds and four assists per game for the Bulldogs. Scored over 1,302 career points, including 48 in one game.
Honors: All-NVL and coaches all-state selection. Finn Award recipient as the top senior in Waterbury. Donahue Award recipient as the top senior in the NVL. Chosen to play in both the CHSCA All-Star Festival and the JCC Schoolboy/Schoolgirl Classic.
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Mason Jackson
NFA, Junior, Guard/Forward
Stats: The 6-5 swingman averaged 20.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.3 steals per game for the ECC Division I state champions, one of two undefeated teams. Shot 55 percent from the floor. Also had 65 assists and 52 steals. Has 968 career points.
Honors: All-ECC Division I selection. ECC Division I tournament MVP. Coaches all-state pick.
Off the court: Helps conduct basketball clinics at both elementary and middle schools.
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Zach Laput
Notre Dame-West Haven, Senior, Guard
Stats: The 6-4 guard averaged 22 points, 12 rebounds and four steals per game for the Green Knights, the SCC regular season champion. Finished with 983 career points and led Notre Dame to a 40-8 SCC record over the past three seasons.
Honors: SCC Player of the Year. Two-time All-SCC First Team selection. Coaches all-state pick. Chosen to play in the CHSCA All-Star Festival and the JCC Schoolboy/Schoolgirl Classic.
Off the court: National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Mu Theta Alpha Honor Society, Peer Counselor
Up next: Will play at Bentley next season.
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Luke McGarrity
Ridgefield, Senior, Guard
Stats: The 6-2 guard averaged 18.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game for the FCIAC regular-season and tournament champions, the best season in school history at 21-2. Shot 52 percent from the floor and 45 percent from 3-point range. Only Ridgefield player to play in all three FCIAC tournament finals, all wins.
Honors: Two-year captain was FCIAC Player of the Year, All-FCIAC First team and All-FCIAC Tournament Team selection. Selected to CHSCA Senior All Star game. Coaches all-state pick.
Off the court: Tyler Ugolyn Award recipient, recognizing exemplary character and sportsmanship on and off the court. Honor roll student is a member of the National Honor Society. Holland Division Basketball Coordinator for children with special needs. Lion’s Heart Community Service Group Vice President and Torchbearer Award.
Up next: Will play at Union next season.
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Corey McKeithan
Windsor, Senior, Guard
Stats: The 6-0 guard averaged 26 points, four rebounds and three assists per game for the Warriors, who did not drop a single in-state game during the regular season. Hit the deciding shot in the final seconds to hand East Catholic its only loss. Scored over 1,000 career points.
Honors: Four-time All-CCC selection. Two-time All-State and coaches all-state pick.
Up next: Will play at Rider next season.
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Malcolm Newman
Trinity Catholic, Senior, Guard
Stats: The 6-2 combo guard averaged 16 points and 3.7 assists once becoming eligible after transferring from Iona Prep. Went 12-1 in the 13 games he played in, only losing in the FCIAC tournament final. Averaged 60 percent from two-point range, 47.2 percent from three-point range.
Honors: Named to All-FCIAC Tournament Team.
Off the court: Has a 3.8 GPA.
Up next: Will play at Drew next season.
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Amir Spears
Windsor, Senior, Guard
Stats: The 6-2 guard averaged 20 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and four steals per game for the Warriors, who did not drop a single in-state game during the regular season. Scored over 1,000 career points.
Honors: Two-time All-State selection. Three-time All-CCC and coaches all-state pick.
Off the court: Honor roll student.
Up next: Receiving interest from North Texas, Fairfield and St. Peter’s among others. Also considering a post-graduate season.
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Kazell Stewart
Prince Tech, Senior, Forward
Stats: The 6-4 forward averaged 25.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 3.9 steals and 3.0 blocks. Finished career with 1,827 points and 1,138 rebounds.
Honors: Three-time All-CTC selection. Two-time coaches all-state pick. GHPA Invitational Game MVP.
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Lorenzo Washington
Sacred Heart, Junior, Guard
Stats: The 6-0 guard averaged 24.5 points, 5.1 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 4.0 steals per game for the NVL regular-season champions. Shot 50 percent from 2-point range and 45 percent from 3-point range, including a 9-for-11 performance against Kennedy.
Honors: All-NVL and coaches all-state selection.
Off the court: High honor roll student and member of the National Honor Society. Works at a daycare.
