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Rhode Island and basketball seem to go hand-in-hand. There have been numerous high school basketball stars to come from the Ocean State, including the current head coach of the Boston Celtics.
Today, we’re focusing on the 10 best high school boys basketball athletes to come out of Rhode Island high schools. Lists like this always have the inherent danger of excluding several deserving names, but it would be hard to exclude any of these choices for Top 10 high school boys basketball players to ever play in Rhode Island.
This is part of USA TODAY Sports’ initiative to celebrate the 250 greatest American sports figures of all time — part of which is to spotlight the roots of the country’s sports culture — including the high school athletes.
Last week, we honored the heroes of the gridiron. This week, it’s the hardwood. Here are our selections for the players who defined Rhode Island high school school boys basketball. The rankings here are less important than simply being included on the list. And be sure to take the poll at the end of the story to tell us who you think is No. 1!
1. Ernie DiGregorio, North Providence
No list would be complete without the North Providence and Providence College great. DiGregorio is the best passer on this list — his behind-the-back assist to Kevin Stacom in the 1973 Final Four game vs. Memphis State is immortal. DiGregorio was inducted to the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019 and was drafted third overall by the Buffalo Braves in the 1973 NBA Draft. He was Rookie of the Year and played for five seasons in the NBA. Before all of that, DiGregorio was an All-Stater at North Providence and led the Cougars to a 12-2 mark and the Class B title in 1967-68.
2. Ernie Calverley, Pawtucket/Pawtucket East
The first real superstar in the sport here, Calverley was a three-time All-State selection at Pawtucket (1939-40) and Pawtucket East (1940-41, 1941-42) before continuing at the University of Rhode Island. He was an All-American with the Rams and the guard who triggered the revolutionary fast-break offense patented by coach Frank Keaney. Calverley led URI to a runner-up finish against Kentucky in the 1946 NIT and played 165 games in the Basketball Association of America, which preceded the NBA, with the Providence Steamrollers.
3. Joe Hassett, La Salle Academy
You can imagine what sort of perimeter damage the man nicknamed “Sonar” would have done had the 3-point shot been in use during his day. Hassett was deadly from the perimeter as a two-time All-State selection and postseason runner-up with the Rams before continuing to Providence College. The shooting guard scored more than 500 points in three consecutive seasons after becoming eligible as a sophomore, was an All-American with the Friars in 1976-77 and captured an NBA championship with the Seattle Supersonics during a professional career that spanned from 1977-83.
4. Marvin Barnes, Central
There has never been another player like Barnes with the Knights or at his next stop with Providence College. He was a dominant big man with an uncanny knack for controlling to the glass at both ends, leading Central to championships as an All-State selection in 1968-69 and 1969-70 before graduating to a bigger stage. Barnes was a two-time All-American, an NCAA rebounding champion and the paint engine of a Final Four team with the Friars in 1972-73 before playing for multiple years in both the ABA and NBA.
5. Ray Johnson, South Kingstown
A gentle giant off the court at 6 feet 7 inches, Johnson and his Rebels teammates took no prisoners between the lines. They were unbeaten state champions out of Class C in both 1964-65 and 1965-66, with Johnson claiming All-State honors twice. The second title run featured victories over Bishop Hendricken, Central, Warwick Veterans and Sacred Heart by a combined 132 points, and Johnson continued at Providence College. He averaged a double-double for the Friars as a junior and played in 77 games over three seasons.
6. Tommy Garrick, West Warwick
A dynamic guard both with and without the ball in his hands, Garrick led the Wizards to Class B championships in 1982-83 and 1983-84 — an unbeaten season against league opponents — while earning All-State honors. Garrick continued to the University of Rhode Island and was the perfect fit in a fast-paced Tom Penders offense, leading the Rams to a Sweet 16 in the 1987-88 NCAA Tournament. Garrick was a second-round selection in the following NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers and played in 251 games with four teams through the 1991-92 campaign.
7. Tyler Kolek, Cumberland/St. George’s
Kolek spread his standout high school career between Cumberland and St. George’s School. He was Gatorade Player of the Year in 2019 while at St. George’s after averaging 18.6 points and 8.4 rebounds as a junior. Kolek was the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year at George Mason in 2020-21 and then transferred to Marquette, where he played for three seasons. Kolek earned Big East Player of the Year honors in 2022-23. He was drafted 34th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers but was traded to the New York Knicks on draft night. Kolek appeared in 62 games for the Knicks this past season.
8. Robert Griffin, St. Raphael Academy
Griffin was a three-time All-Stater (1997-1999) at St. Raphael and graduated as the state’s all-time scoring leader (2,471). His scoring mark was eventually broken but Griffin left with the Division I title in 1999 and was a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year winner. He scored 29 on La Salle in the 1999 championship with his patented quickness to the rim. He averaged close to 24 points, five assists, three steals and 5.4 rebounds during his senior year.
9. Joe Mazzulla, Bishop Hendricken
The Boston Celtics head coach starred at Bishop Hendricken in the early 2000s. He was a three-time All-Stater and was lauded by Gatorade during his junior and senior seasons (2006-07). He averaged a double-double his senior year with 24 points and 12 rebounds a game and then played for the University of West Virginia. Mazzulla captained the Mountaineers to the Final Four in 2010. West Virigina lost to Duke in that contest. He played 145 games over five seasons at West Virginia.
10. Jimmy Baron, Bishop Hendricken
Arguably the best shooter on this list, Baron knocked down 43% of his 3-point shots over 126 games at the University of Rhode Island. Baron finished sixth in all-time scoring with the Rams with 1,765 points between 2005 and 2009. He graduated with the Atlantic 10 record for most 3-point makes (361), which was broken in 2025. He had an extensive professional career internationally after graduating. Baron averaged 22 points in his senior season at Bishop Hendricken in 2004. He is an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs.
Honorable mentions
Bruce Blount, South Kingstown; Don Kaull, Rogers; Vic Soares, East Providence; Ernie DeWitt, Rogers; Curtis McCants, St. Raphael; Roland Hannah, Hope; Tony Robertson, St. Andrew’s; TJ Sorrentine, St. Raphael; Steve Mello, Mt. Hope; Jeff Xavier, St. Raphael; Billy Baron, Bishop Hendricken; Ricky Ledo, Bishop Hendricken; David Duke Jr., Classical; Cole Swider, St. Andrew’s; Erickson Bans, Shea; Eliezer Delbrey, Classical, Brian McGovern, Coventry.
