Blair Academy is a Top National Program
Blair Academy is a coeducational, boarding and day school for students from ninth through twelfth grades as well as a small post-graduate class. The school's campus is located on a 463 acres campus in Blairstown, NJ, approximately 60 miles west of New York City. The school's enrollment generally runs around 465 students.
Their mens basketball program has an impressive history of success. They compete in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MPAL) and they vie annually for a seed in the New Jersey Open Division State Championship tournament. They have won the MAPL title 15 times and the State title five times, including winning both this past season. They have produced 0ver 80 D1 players, 5 NBA players and 4 Olympians. 5 Final Four participants. Last year, they finished computer ranked as the #9 team in the nation, and all indications are they could end up even higher this year.
The team's 2025-26 game schedule and results will be found here.
The team is head coached by Joe Mantenga and his lead assistant is Jon DeJesus. Coach Mantenga's coaching resume is very impressive, both at Blair and in coaching in the USA Basketball programs. It's also global in that he coached the South Sudan team in the Paris Olympics.
Coach Mantegna’s 2025-26 roster, as we profile below, is once again loaded with high level college prospects.
Deron Rippey Jr (2026) 6'2 point guard - ESPN ranked as #18 prospect in the nation. #1 ranked point guard in NJ and Top 5 in the country. Rippey is coming off one the most prolific and high profile successful summers for a New York City guard since Stephon Marbury. He is explosive and twitchy-quick. He uses this to impact the game on both ends. He has been unguardable in the open court and a great passer for some time but now has really improved his outside shooting. That is creating massive headaches for opposing defenses. Has received multiple D1 offers, including Louisville, Kentucky, Duke, Kansas, Texas, Indiana, NC State, Tennessee. RTB profile
Jaen Chatman (2026) 6'2 guard - Ranked as a Top 150 player in the Nation. Chatman is a strong 2 way guard. He can really shoot it from 3 and is explosive in the open court. Impacts the game defensively. Has received multiple D1 offers, including Rhode Island, UMass, George Mason, Northeastern, Boston College and Hofstra. Plays AAU with PSA Cardinals. RTB profile
Isaiah Carroll (2026) 6'7 small forward - Carroll is long and Athletic. Great positional size. Comes from Harvard Westlake in CA. Lockdown defender who can make shots. Has received multiple D1 offers, including UPenn, Hofstra, Northeastern and Seton Hall
Coleman Elkins (2026) 6'10 forward - Elkins is a stretch 4 man who can spread the court with his outside shooting. He scores both inside and out. He is a good athlete who can defend multiple positions. Receiving interest from Indiana State, Patriot League and Ivy League schools.
Callen Murphy (2026) 6'1 guard - Murphy was a key contributor to Blair's State Championship run last year. He is a tough and physical guard who can space the floor with his outside shooting. He is also a skilled and crafty finisher around the rim. Has received multiple D3 recruiting.
Kenny Thompson (2026) 6'10 forward - Thompson is a cerebral forward that has guard skills. He has really good vision which is enhanced by his ability to see over defenses. He is a high academic student who has Ivy League interest.
Kamsi Awaka (2027) 6'10 forward - We've seen this big-bodied, strong, hard playing and intelligent player story before...from Awaka's big brother, Tobe (Tennessee and Arizona starter). He is a big body with a soft touch around the rim. He uses size and strength to really impact the game. Projected as a potential Power 4 player. RTB profile
Ray Fernandez (2027) 6'4 guard - Fernandez previously starred at Iona Prep (NY) and now will be a key contributor to Blair's success. He can really shoot the ball, hit 8 3's in an EYBL 16u game this past summer. Offered by UPenn and receiving Patriot and other Ivy League interest. RTB profile
Peter Rosta (2027) 6'10 forward - 2025 Hungarian National 18u team's top player. Rosta is a skilled forward with a ton of upside. He can shoot the 3, guard multiple positions. He also can really pass the ball as a point forward. He averaged 12.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 3.2 apg this summer playing 18u ball in Romania. Projected as a potential Power 4 player.
Walker Swann (2027) 6'1 guard - Swann is a lefty shooter. Plays AAU with NEPA Elite.
Ian Archbold (2028) 6'6 small forward - 2025 USA Basketball team invitee. One of the best 2028's in the country. Archbold was a key contributor on the state Championship team last year as a freshman. Offered by Syracuse already and is tracking to be a High Major player.
Lenox Nickles (2028) 5'10 point guard - Nickles is a pesky guard who can impact the game defensively. He had a strong summer playing with the NJ Panthers.
Bray Brown (2029) 6'2 guard - Brown is an elite three sport athlete (football and track). The young man projects to be a major contributor at Blair over the next four seasons.
To accommodate college scout visits, Blair holds a schedule of Fall Open runs, the details of which can be found here.