News Summary

Cayden Dones, New Paltz’s star basketball player, has announced his transfer to the Kiski School in Pennsylvania, aiming for Division I basketball. Dones, the Freeman Boys Basketball Player of the Year, led New Paltz to its first Section 9 Class A Championship since 2020, averaging impressive stats during his junior year. Although his departure leaves a gap in the New Paltz team, Coach Diklich is confident in the remaining talent as they prepare for the upcoming season. With colleges showing interest, Dones is poised for a bright future in basketball.

New Paltz Star Player Cayden Dones Transfers for a Shot at Division I Basketball Success

In a move that has captured the attention of local sports fans, New Paltz‘s favorite basketball star, Cayden Dones, is making waves with his decision to transfer to the Kiski School in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania. This burgeoning talent, who was recently honored as the Freeman Boys Basketball Player of the Year, is all set to take his game to the next level with high hopes of playing basketball at the Division I level.

A Season to Remember

Cayden’s last season at New Paltz High School was nothing short of spectacular. He played a pivotal role in leading the Huguenots to their first Section 9 Class A Championship since the 2019-20 season. Dones’ hard work on the court earned his team the coveted Mid-Hudson Athletic League (MHAL) title, making him a household name in the area.

Throughout his junior year, Cayden averaged a remarkable 24.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game, leaving fans in awe and coaches taking notice. At just 5-foot-9, he plays much bigger than his height suggests, demonstrating impressive scoring prowess with a shooting percentage of 47 percent from the field and an astonishing 87 percent from the free throw line. Over his high school career, he accumulated a total of 1,320 career points, solidifying his status as a standout player.

The Tough Decision

Making the decision to leave New Paltz wasn’t easy for Dones. Having grown up in the community and dreaming of winning state championships there, he reflects on his time fondly. However, he recognizes that transferring schools is an important step towards achieving his basketball aspirations. By moving to Kiski, he will be classified as a junior, which offers him an extra year of eligibility to polish his skills and elevate his chances for college recruitment.

Why Kiski School?

The choice of Kiski School was influenced by its excellent coaching staff and its well-established reputation for developing players into serious college prospects. Cayden’s ultimate goal is to compete at the Division I level, and he feels that joining the Kiski family puts him in a fantastic position to accomplish this.

The Future of New Paltz Basketball

Although Dones’ departure is a significant loss for the New Paltz boys basketball team, the squad still has plenty of talent to make an impact next season. Coach Danny Diklich firmly believes that the team will continue to excel without their star player. He praises Dones’ contributions over the past two years, acknowledging him as the finest player in the area, and expresses confidence that the remaining players can step up.

Among those players is Rohan Kenney, who shone in the Section 9 Class A title game against Saugerties, leading his team with 20 points. Kenney returns for his junior season, accompanied by 6-foot-8 senior center Russell Patterson and junior forward Nick Drewnowski. Coach Diklich has high hopes for a competitive season despite the team reshuffling, indicating that they are ready to chase further titles.

High Hopes for Dones

As for Cayden Dones, his talents have not gone unnoticed. Numerous colleges, from Division II to Division III, have shown interest in him, with some Division I programs also keeping their eyes peeled. Kiski’s coach, Joe O’Shea, is optimistic about his potential and is committed to developing all aspects of Dones’ game, preparing him for the next level.

As this young athlete embarks on a new chapter, the community of New Paltz watches with pride. Whatever the outcome, Cayden Dones has proven he has what it takes to shoot for the stars.

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