Welcome To
KNOX
Basketball
Knox National Postgraduate & Varsity Roster & Schedule:
PG Team: Head Coach: Jared Grasso / Asst Coach & Director of Player Development: Malik Rhem
Varsity Team: Head Coach: Gordon Thomas / Asst Coach: Mike Robinson
The Knox Elite Basketball Development Program:
The place for the focused and driven student-athlete who is looking to take his academic and basketball career to the next level. We offer high school and postgraduate players the opportunity to grow and evolve in our advanced Player Development Program.
We are committed to fostering the holistic development of our student-athletes, while giving them the coaching & resources necessary to be prepared for the next step of their careers. We will develop and challenge our young men on court, in the weight room, in the film room, and the mental game:
- Building strong character, teamwork, and leadership skills among players who are committed to a 12-Seven-4 approach to the game. The results will come from the work we put in gym
- Developing a high level of basketball skills and knowledge that will prepare you for success at the next level. Learn the habits, discipline, and terminology needed to succeed as college player
- Instilling a passion and work ethic for the game that will prepare you for success in all facets of your life
- Playing in a system that has won conference championships and competed in NCAA Tournaments. We have a brand, “12-Seven-4”. We play hard, we play fast, we play physical and we play smart
- We will play any team in the country with our challenging schedule. We will play nationally ranked programs and compete in some of the nation’s top tournaments. To become the best you need to compete against and beat the best.
Player Development Philosophy
Player development is a cornerstone of our program. Our job is to fully develop our young men to prepare them for the rigors of being a collegiate student-athlete.
Our Basketball Program Philosophy Emphasizes:
The Fundamentals:
- Mastering essential basketball skills and learning to use them in a team structure
- Being in great physical condition
- Playing as a group to win
Decision Making:
Our players need to be taught in an environment of live basketball where communication and decision-making will be emphasized. These things are what can make or break a player’s development and college preparation.
Individual Growth:
Tailoring training to each player’s strengths and areas for improvement. You will put us in a position to win championships while we put you in a position to become the best player and most college-ready prospect you can be.
Basketball IQ:
Enhancing players’ understanding of the game’s strategic aspects. Via game action, live practice reps, teaching activities, and film study
The Mental Game:
Mindfulness and self-care have become a place where student-athletes can learn to get an advantage can greatly aid their overall physical and mental health. We will provide tools and exercises necessary to stay ahead of the mental game
Strength & Conditioning:
We will be the best-conditioned athletes in the country. our newly upgraded strength facility, beautiful outdoor conditioning areas, and nutritious dining cuisine. Will offer our athletes every advantage needed to get their bodies prepared for the highest level of competition.
Our Coaching Staff
The Knox School is proud to announce the addition of Jared Grasso to its coaching and leadership team as our new Director of Athletic Advancement and Recruitment, and Head Coach of Varsity and PG Boys Basketball. The son of a legendary Long Island basketball coach, Coach Grasso grew up on the sidelines of his father’s Jericho High School and Adelphi University basketball practices. As a high school student-athlete, Grasso grew into a heralded recruit and McDonald’s All-American nominee at St. Anthony’s High School, and continued his education at Quinnipiac University, where he achieved hall of fame status after a successful college basketball career.
Grasso’s achievements in the sport at the higher-ed level led him to an impressive 21-year career as both a collegiate head and assistant coach, marked by unparalleled success in building programs, raising money and resources, winning championships, and developing talent. Notably, at just 29 years old, he became the youngest Division 1 Head Coach in the country at Fordham University. In addition to his tenure at Fordham, his early career included stints as an assistant coach at Quinnipiac, Hartford, and Hofstra, where he honed his skills as a recruiter and strategist.
Our coaching staff comprises experienced professionals dedicated to developing our student-athletes growth on and off the court.
Read Coach Grasso's Full Bio
The Knox School is proud to announce the addition of Jared Grasso to its coaching and leadership team as our new Director of Athletic Advancement and Recruitment, and Head Coach of Varsity and PG Boys Basketball. The son of a legendary Long Island basketball coach, Coach Grasso grew up on the sidelines of his father’s Jericho High School and Adelphi University basketball practices. As a high school student-athlete, Grasso grew into a heralded recruit and McDonald’s All-American nominee at St. Anthony’s High School, and continued his education at Quinnipiac University, where he achieved hall of fame status after a successful college basketball career.
Grasso’s achievements in the sport at the higher-ed level led him to an impressive 21-year career as both a collegiate head and assistant coach, marked by unparalleled success in building programs, raising money and resources, winning championships, and developing talent. Notably, at just 29 years old, he became the youngest Division 1 Head Coach in the country at Fordham University. In addition to his tenure at Fordham, his early career included stints as an assistant coach at Quinnipiac, Hartford, and Hofstra, where he honed his skills as a recruiter and strategist.
Throughout his collegiate tenure, Coach Grasso led teams to six NCAA Tournaments, two National Invitation Tournaments, and 2 Collegeinsider.com Postseason Tournaments, showcasing his prowess as a strategic thinker and innovative developer of players. During this stretch of his career, Grasso recruited and coached over 75 student-athletes who went on to professional basketball careers ranging from the NBA, G-League, Europe, South America, Middle East, Australia, Asia, and Africa.
Grasso’s latest coaching tenure was at Bryant University, where he orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, transforming a struggling program into a national powerhouse. Under his guidance, Bryant clinched its first-ever Northeast Conference Regular Season and Tournament titles, securing a historic NCAA Division Tournament berth. Grasso’s offensive acumen propelled Bryant’s rise, with the team consistently ranking in the top 10 nationally in various offensive categories. Off the court, Grasso’s championship record, contagious leadership, and recruiting impact extended beyond the game, as evidenced by Bryant University’s record-breaking incoming freshman class following their 2022 NCAA Tournament appearance.
Grasso’s adept fundraising skills also played a pivotal role in establishing one of the largest mid-major Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) Collectives in all of college basketball. These efforts further enhanced Grasso’s profile as a nationally recognized innovative leader in developing the scholar-athlete.
Prior to his tenure at Bryant, Grasso played a key role in Iona College’s unprecedented success, contributing to five NCAA Tournament appearances and multiple Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament Championships.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our Head of School, Virginia Riccardi, for entrusting me with this exciting new opportunity at The Knox School,” Grasso stated. “I am eager to spearhead the transformation of the Knox Elite Basketball Development Program into a globally renowned hub for academic excellence, elite player development, and holistic student-athlete growth.”
Beyond basketball, Grasso plans to “focus on providing a comprehensive growth experience, preparing our students for success at Knox and beyond.” Grasso explained, “I am thrilled to collaborate with our exceptionally talented student-athletes, and my family and I are excited to impact young lives within the tight-knit Knox family community.”
