Basketball for the Masses: A Spotlight on Five Varsity Players

Article: Chidinma Esielem ’23
Photography: Sydney Drinan ’25 & Campbell Hudkins ’25

Would it surprise you to know that only a mere 20 minutes separate us from the birthplace of basketball? Just up north in Springfield, Massachusetts, in the winter of 1891, James Naismith, a physical educator at Springfield College, invented the game of basketball to keep athletes in shape during the winter season.

Despite the many technical changes made to the sport since then — rules, the ball (first played with a soccer ball), and equipment— the most notable difference has been the popularity. The regard of the NBA and its players, the high-grossing March Madness event, and the six teams that comprise the basketball rosters at Suffield are just testaments of the American affinity to the sensational game. So, I sat down with five boys from the varsity team and asked them about their love of basketball.

First, let’s start with someone who quite literally is from the birthplace of basketball. Hailing from Hadley, Massachusetts— right out of Springfield —Jason Ofcarcik ’23 grew up around basketball and was introduced to it by his father. Jason carries a gentle confidence, likely stemming from the fact that he gradually progressed his basketball prowess until it sparked his sophomore year at Woodstock Academy. Although the love of basketball has always come naturally, Ofcarcik says, “I’ve worked very hard to be where I am skill-wise.” The post-grad is intelligent not only about the sport but also about himself, an integral attribute in such a mentally crucial game like basketball. As one of the four team captains, Ofcarcik “tries to instill this hard work and dedication in every person [he] talks to,” creating an environment that dispels discouragement and calls confidence. As much as he has to give, he also has to receive. His introspective nature allows him to appreciate the coaching style of the coaches—new Head Coach Gamere, Coach Atkins, and Coach Godin—who he commends, “pushes [the] team to improve, not so much by pointing out the negatives, but encouraging the positives.” Ofcarcik’s confidence is a distinct plus in building morale and creating harmony for every person on the team. As for his future, the Massachusetts native wants to continue in his father’s footsteps by playing college basketball. When asked where he sees himself in the next five years, he replies, “I see myself happy. I see myself playing basketball.” As someone who has never spent a day without touching a basketball, Ofcarcik’s words are reminiscent of a young man whose passion for the game goes beyond wins and losses.

It’s not surprising that the birthplace of Springfield would produce such a talent as Jason. However, although basketball originates from the southern part of Mass, there is a place just a couple of states south, a place nearly one-third of the players on the team call home that is regarded as the “mecca of basketball”: New York City.

Fellow Captain Jaiden Johnson hails from the southernmost part of the basketball city in Staten Island. Endowed with both speed and spring, the three-year senior started playing basketball at the shy age of six, joining the AAU’s PSA Cardinals when he reached 13. Coming from Eaglebrook School in Massachusetts, Jaiden joined Suffield Academy in his sophomore year in 2020. On the court, he plays as the point guard, setting up plays and finding the best shots, a role

that derives “that power that you would want but also comes with a lot with it.” As for the game’s impact on his relationship with his teammates, Jaiden credits the unifying aspect of basketball: The athlete says, “You form a brotherhood with those kids, and they’re from all different places, different stories that are nothing like yours.” He continues, “But this orange basketball just brings everybody together to where you don’t even see that… It doesn’t get better than that.”

However, this might be the last time we see “Trece” in action. After an incredible spring season last year, Jaiden hopes to pursue track in his collegiate career. Though he may not be playing basketball, Jaiden “definitely sees [himself] doing something in the basketball field.” As someone who recently developed a greater affinity for watching the game over playing, Jaiden has become astute at analyzing and breaking down “basketball statistics, basketball arguments, [and] the way people play.” Undoubtedly, Jaiden will be busy breaking records in all his jumping events, but he also plans to join broadcasting clubs in concurrence with a Communications major. Hey, the next Stephan A Smith may be loading.

Anyways, Jaiden is not the only New Yorker who appreciates the IQ demanded from the sport. One of Idrissa Ballo’s earliest memories is when his uncle set up a basketball court in front of his grandparents’ house in the Ivory Coast. Although basketball is not the primary sport in his athletic family, basketball is the one Idrissa holds to his heart.

It was enlightening to hear Idrissa speak so passionately about basketball; from hearing him defend Giannis against his haters— “how he moves as a seven-footer is not normal”— to him explaining the foundational and structural nuances between the NBA and collegiate basketball, his New York accent grew more pronounced and his passion became tangible. As for on the court, the defender finds the most pleasure in “letting others shine.” Whether by passing the ball, playing defense, utilizing pick and rolls, or drop passes, Idrissa thrives on the team as a playmaker. His teammates not only appreciate his selfless style of play but also recognize his intellect and confer with his opinions on plays. Although sometimes his keen sense for the game can get him in trouble, causing him to “become tunnel-visioned.” However, his insight mainly helps him “immensely, especially on the defensive end, knowing when to rotate, knowing when not to, knowing when to help, knowing when not to.”

Although a junior, Massachusetts native Darian Thompson also understands the importance of this year’s season more than anyone. He said, “This year is a pretty big year for us, like statement year. A lot of people within our NEPSAC rankings were mentioned, a lot of our players were noticed. This year, many talents including Miles Haight ’23, Greyson Trubia ’24, sophomore L.J Saunders ’25, and more, have joined the team, with the addition of new Head Coach Gamere. As a result, the team dynamic has changed, but Darian believes the chemistry can and will only grow. the junior believes basketball brings people together “through hardship.” He wisely says, “not everything is going to go peaches and cream, so you got to use teamwork, use everybody, communicate, and that brings everybody together. “

The charismatic player started playing the sport at age 3 and played against older kids in a little league in Boston. For Darian, basketball is a coping method to him. “If I get a bad score on a test, I know I can go play basketball to go clear my mind,” says Darian.

While Darian’s relationship with the orange ball serves to ease his anxieties and pressures, Dayyan O’Neal ’23 gains a distinct surge of excitement when he’s on the court.

Starting when he was merely 5, the PG has been enthralled in sports. Now, the Georgia native is any high school’s dream, a tri-varsity athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. After only starting football his senior fall, he received many offers and eventually became a recipient of the Ashley Dearing Award—gifted to the most multitalented boy athlete in the whole city of Savannah, Georgia. However, although he will be playing football at Lehigh University next fall, along with his roommate Kingsley Acho ’23, he names basketball his favorite among the three he has excelled in.

He credits an electrifying and packed basketball game versus his rivals as the game that “made [him] like basketball so much.” He describes that “the energy in there was just ecstatic. I mess with it heavy. My friend dunked on a kid and the gym just exploded. And then I hit a shot in the buzzer to go into halftime, and the gym just went crazy.” Compared to football, the extrovert feels the closest to his fans—physically and emotionally—when he’s on the basketball court. In fact, Dayyan believes the fans affect his gameplay. Of course, he performs well regardless of the number of attendees, but “the more people, the better [he] plays.” The PG notes, “Something about a lot of people in one spot to watch the game—there’s something about that that just turns me up.” Well, they’ve said it in every chapel speech and during lunch announcements: Dayyan is a joy to watch on the court.

After sitting down with these young men, it is apparent that each of them has a unique affinity to the game of basketball. Whether they do it for the pomp, find pleasure in interpreting intricate plays, or they’re like KD and just “wanna play ball,” the game of basketball has undoubtedly changed them all. It is essential to acknowledge that the sport not only challenges the physical body but has had an immense impact on the fortification of their character, confidence, and camaraderie. Although this piece focused on the game of basketball, we must understand that all players have much more value than the numbers they put up in a game. They are indispensable leaders, friends, and students in our Suffield community who also happen to connect over hoopin’. I wish the team all the best in all their future endeavors.