Thomas Jefferson (20‑10)
Brooklyn, N.Y.
New York City PSAL City Semifinalist
Top Players
- 6-6 JR Zion Austin
- 6-2 SR Justin Rodriguez
Orange Wave At A Glance
HEAD COACH: Lawrence “Bud” Pollard (304-685-3580) … EMAIL: lpollard@schools.nyc.gov
Long-time City of Palms fans still rave about the fight that Lawrence “Bud” Pollard’s squad displayed in its 91-90 loss to eventual national champion Chino Hills (Calif.) in a 2015 first-round game, and this team is built from the same mold, with athletic guards and suffocating defensive pressure. They might not be household names, but new arrival 6-2 SR Dylan Hickman (18.1 ppg at Uniondale), 6-0 SR Kenneth Moore (9.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg) and 5-10 SR Paris Roots (7.5 ppg), along with transfers 6-2 SR Justin Rodriguez (Carnarsie) and 6-1 SOPH Ed Cota, Jr. (9.2 ppg, 4.3 apg at Charlotte Olympic NC), will all play prominent roles. Hickman was named MVP as Jefferson beat Eagle Academy-Bronx to win the month-long (August) Smartball tournament in Harlem. Up front, the Wave will rely upon breakout sleeper 6-6 JR Zion Austin and 6-5 JR Kamari Johnson. … Jefferson went on in 2015-16 to celebrate its first PSAL title in 62 years, beating Lincoln 90-61 at Madison Square Garden, and won again in 2025 before bowing to Eagle-Bronx in last season’s semifinals.