Cardozo hosts talent showcase

There are several reasons Cardozo is the public school of choice for hoop stars in Queens.
Their wacky and zany coach, Ron Naclerio, may dress them down in public, but he is also a famed disciplinarian who trains professional players in his free time, and has a revered work ethic. The team plays the best competition in local tournaments, from the local Catholic schools in the city to the top public and private ones in the entire metropolitan area. Cardozo is also one of the top academic institutions in the city.
&#8220I like to think of us as the Duke of the PSAL,” Naclerio said.
Then there are days like last Thursday afternoon, when his connections, which spread from Queens to Europe, astound his wide-eyed players.
On this day, Cardozo held an open workout, dotting the gymnasium with head and assistant college coaches. Their top prospect, James Southerland, a lanky 6-foot-8 forward with limitless range, has attracted many top Division I schools, notably Louisville. But many of the lesser schools were there to see other prospects, one in particular without the size and athleticism as Southerland.
&#8220I'm hoping everyone gets at least one school,” said Naclerio, who handed out 13-page pamphlets to each coach in attendance, including a biography of each player and team schedule. &#8220All you need is one.”
The 96-team list went on and on. Queens College. Seton Hall. George Mason. Louisville. Rutgers. Pittsburgh. St. Francis. Iona. Virginia Tech. Charlotte. St. John's and coach Norm Roberts. Georgia Tech. Syracuse. Kansas State. Albany. Baruch.
&#8220One of the things that happens is a lot of the kids that have come out of this program have done well in college, whether they were being recruited very highly or not as highly,” said Chris Caputo, an assistant coach at George Mason. &#8220It seems like when kids leave Cardozo they are well prepared.”
Naclerio has been running the open gym for five years, but really turned it up a notch last October, and then improving it even more last week. It was better organized and emphasized the strengths of certain players with shooting-, dribbling-, and jumping-specific drills. Naclerio said last year three players - Wes Frederique, Edmund McRae and Mike Troll - eventually earned scholarships because they were noticed by lesser schools.
&#8220It gives everybody an opportunity to get a scholarship,” said Southerland, who should have no such problem.