About us

In August 2019 Eric decided it was time to return “home” and give back to the Syracuse community that has embraced him. Eric started what is now known as “ED23HOOPS.” With a focus on basketball skills on the court and life skills off the court, ED23Hoops offers basketball camps, clinics, one-on-one training and AAU leagues. 

FOCUS // LEARN // IMPROVE // FOCUS // LEARN // IMPROVE // FOCUS // LEARN // IMPROVE //

Mission & Vision

The mission at ED23HOOPS is to provide youth with opportunities to not only enhance their basketball skills but also their life skills. ED23HOOPS is committed to providing opportunities, resources, and experiences to help further our youth’s development moving forward. FOCUS. LEARN. IMPROVE.

Eric Devendorf & ED23Hoops

Contact Eric

Eric Michael Devendorf is a former professional basketball player and youth mentor in the Syracuse, NY community. His basketball career started at the prestigious Oak Hill Academy in Virginia with the likes of Kevin Durant and Tyson Lawson. That team would go on to be ranked number 1 nationally his senior year. Devendorf was also recognized as one of the top players in the country earning Parade and McDonald All-American honors.

Devendorf went on to play 3 seasons at Syracuse. He averaged 15.7 points per game in his final season at SU. He ranks 14th on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,680 points. He spent the next seven years playing professionally in the NBA D-League and in foreign countries such as Ukraine, Israel, Turkey, Greece, Australia, and New Zealand.

In October 2016, he returned to Syracuse after being appointed to head coach Jim Boeheim’s staff. He spent two seasons in a player development role. After two seasons at Syracuse, Eric joined Detroit Mercy University for one year as assistant to the head coach.

After his time in Michigan, in August 2019 Eric decided it was time to return “home” and give back to the community that has embraced him. That was when he started what is now known as “ED23HOOPS.” It offers basketball camps, clinics, one-on-one training, and AAU leagues. In 2023, Eric proudly established his non-profit, ED23 Foundation.

Through the foundation, he hosts events throughout the year in Syracuse including shoe and coat drives, back-to-school events, turkey dinner giveaways, and more.

Meet the coaches

Xavier Mann

Xavier Mann started his basketball career at Barker High School (Barker, NY) where he was a 3-year varsity starter. After high school Xavier attended Niagara County Community College (NCCC) from 2011-2013 learning/training under Head Coach Bill Beilein. Read more

Xavier began his first collegiate basketball season with the Fredonia State Men’s basketball program in 2013-2014. After his basketball career ended at SUNY Fredonia, he then became an assistant coach for the Fredonia State Women’s Basketball team from 2014-2016. He now resides in Radisson, NY with his girlfriend Maggie. Xavier currently serves as the Executive Director/Business Development Director for ED23.

Courtney King

Courtney King is a NYS Licensed Real Estate Salesperson for HUNT Real Era and former Varsity Girls Basketball Coach for Syracuse Academy of Science. Courtney is originally from Arnold, Maryland, and growing up Courtney play basketball at Broadneck High School in Annapolis, Maryland. Read more

Courtney also played AAU with the Maryland Spirit. Courtney has coached in the recreation, AAU and travel leagues for 5+ years. Courtney currently has a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from SUNY Empire State College, an Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies and a Certificate in Criminal Justice. Courtney fell in love with coaching because she can positively influence young ladies and teach them to be strong minded and confident. To Courtney, there is no better reward to coaching than to see her players progress week after week. Currently Courtney serves as the Women’s Program Director for ED23.

Theodore “Mookie” Jones

Theodore “Mookie” Jones is locally/widely known for his three-point shooting percentage as a former men’s basketball athlete for Syracuse University from 2008-2011. Throughout his athletic career, Jones has received numerous awards and championships that included leading Peekskill High School to the States championship against rival Jamesville Dewitt, and former teammate Brandon Triche for a 4th title run. Read more

As an Orangeman, Jones season stats averaged 67% throughout his college career and he also played professional basketball overseas in the Netherlands and locally for the Rochester Razorsharks post college. Jones is a mentor and instructor on and off the court, who served as an Assistant Basketball Coach at Syracuse Academy of Science and Nottingham High School, leading him to become the first ever Head Coach of the JV Basketball Team at OnTech Charter High School. Jones is passionate about working with the youth and has been involved with all ages. Jones can be seen volunteering throughout the community and beyond through his partnership with former Syracuse University teammate, Eric Devendorf hosting back to school basketball clinics and opportunities for the youth that motivate and provide resources. In his spare time, Jones is always looking for ways to give back towards youth development (physical, mental, emotional focus) through partnerships with local nonprofit organizations, and attends special events and guest seminars, where he shares his personal story to motivate, uplift and encourage others.

Nicholas Peckham

Nicholas Peckham has a passion for sports. He is in the process of starting his own sports podcast. He has worked as a sportswriter for several websites in the past. Nick has coached AAU basketball in the past and has played in several different basketball leagues in the community over the years. Read more

His passion for coaching is to help the youth achieve their goals and make a difference in the community. He is excited to begin his journey with ED23 Hoops and help take this program to the next level. Nicholas Peckham is 30 years old and happily engaged. Nick & his fiancé currently have a 6-year-old child.

Liz Wierbinski

Liz is a SUNY alum, having attended Fredonia for her undergraduate studies in psychology and criminal justice and Albany for her graduate degree in social work. Liz played basketball at West Genesee High School in Camillus, NY and then for four years at SUNY Fredonia as a small forward. Read more

She has served as the assistant varsity women’s basketball coach at Guilderland High School near Albany, NY along with coaching for several youth basketball programs in the City of Syracuse. She is passionate about player social-emotional development and self-esteem building. My hobbies include traveling, playing basketball, cooking and baking, and spending time with family and friends.

Xavier Norgbey

Xavier Norgbey is orginally from the Bronx, New York. He currently serves as the Men’s Assistant Basketball Coach at Bryant Stratton College (Syracuse, NY). Xavier was also a former player for Brynt Stratton from 2019 - 2020. Xavier started playing basketball at the age of 10. Read more

He began his high school career at Christopher Columbus (Bronx, NY) and played AAU with the Wiz Kids. After high school, Xavier attended Cayuga Community College. During his time at Cayuga CC he successfully went on to multiple conference championships and a regional Final 4. From there he finished his career at Bryant Stratton College where he was able to achieve becoming a 1,000-point scorer! After his playing career, Xavier began his coaching career working with a number of coaches/trainers like. (K.Y.D.A -Victor Hall, Renaissance Basketball -Oswald Cross). Outside of coaching Xavier enjoys playing basketball, training athletes, bowling, and spending time with his daughter.

Adrian Marzullo

Adrian Marzullo is currently a student at SUNY Cortland in the Physical Education Program. He has been playing basketball since the age of 5. Read more

He played AAU for multiple teams over the span of 5 years, traveling all across the Northeast. He has played within the Liverpool Basketball program in high school. He’s new to the coaching scene but eager to grow his basketball knowledge to help others be successful!

Ryan Beaury

Ryan Beaury is a recent Graduate Assistant (GA) with the Syracuse University Men’s Basketball team. Serving as a GA for two seasons (2021-2023), Beaury assisted the coaching staff in player development, scouting, and game planning for the Orange during practices, workouts, and games. Read more

Prior to his role as a graduate assistant, Ryan served as a student manager at Syracuse during his four undergraduate years. Assisting the team development in on-court workouts and practices through rebounding, passing, and playing defense were some of the tasks included in his student manager role. During his time at Syracuse, Beaury was the head coach of the club basketball team on campus for two seasons in his sophomore and junior years. In the two years coaching the club team, Ryan held practice two days a week and coached during weekend games and tournaments. The club team tallied a 27-9 record over the two-year stretch, and reached the Regional Semi-Final during the first season, with Covid-19 ending the second season before playoffs started. Beaury has also worked as a coach for numerous basketball camps in the northeast at various colleges, as well as Hoop Group and Dags Basketball during summers. Before coming to Syracuse and working with the team, Ryan played high school basketball for four years in Hadley, NY, where he grew up.

Luke Bachman

Luke is currently a sophomore in college at Syracuse University, and he is from Fort Worth, Texas. In high school Luke was the starting point guard on a state championship-winning team and after high school is when he began coaching. Read more

In the summers Luke runs the basketball camps at his local YMCA and he enjoyed the past season of coaching in Syracuse with ED23 Hoops.

Hakeem Ali

Hakeem Ali was born in Auburn, New York, and played varsity basketball for Auburn High School from 2012 to 2015. After graduating, he pursued a double concentration in business finance and health sciences while competing on the OCC men's basketball team. Read more

He then transferred to Bryant & Stratton College, where he served as the men’s basketball team’s captain. His collegiate career was cut short by injuries, but it was this that sparked his passion for coaching, training, and mentoring young athletes. He is well known around his community and has been assisting with camps and mentoring young players in leagues and competitions between Auburn and Syracuse. Outside of coaching, Hakeem is a Youth Care Professional at Hillside Family Agencies where he also guides and mentors the youth.

Fidell Williams

Fidell Williams currently resides in Auburn, NY. He has coached for approximately 15 years. His first experience was as a player-coach for small youth leagues in the Auburn area. Read more

Fidell started coaching CCYO and has just recently completed his fourth season with three 1st place finishes. Fidell also coached for the Syracuse Hawks 12u football team last year where completed an astonishing feat winning states. Unfortunately, the team lost in Florida at the Nationals after an amazing run. This will be Fidell’s first AAU basketball season with ED23hoops. He is excited & ready to begin this AAU season!  

Erin Cherock

Erin Cherock was born in Syracuse, NY, and started playing basketball at a very young age. Throughout her career, she played for Liverpool High School and then went on to play for two years at OCC. Read more

Erin transferred to SUNY Cortland where she received her Physical Education & Health degree. She is currently a physical education teacher and has a Master’s in Coaching and Physical

Education. Erin is a certified basketball coach that has been coaching basketball for ten years. She started out coaching modified boys’ basketball at Liverpool in addition to coaching boys for Salt City Hoops. She then went on to coach girls’ JV and Varsity basketball. Erin has years of experience including running her own program, camps, coaching clinics, and training athletes at the high school and collegiate levels.

Nick Houck

Nick Houck graduated Salutatorian from South Seneca High School where he excelled at basketball. Nick was the captain of the varsity team junior and senior years. Read more

He was First Team All-League Finger Lakes West, Ronald McDonald House All-Star, All-Greater Rochester Honorable Mention, team MVP, and played AAU for WNY Xrossover. After graduation, he went to Rochester Institute of Technology to play basketball before transferring to Syracuse University to study Economics and Policy Studies.  He currently is the men’s Basketball Team student manager. In his spare time, he also coaches for WNY Xrossover 12U team.

Renee Whelan

Graduated from Sauquoit Valley High School, where she played varsity basketball from 8th through 12th grade. Read more

During that time, she was on the tourney team, MVP, and led NYS in 3-pointers. She received a scholarship to St. Bonaventure but ultimately decided to attend MVCC for medical assisting. She also played AAU basketball for the Utica Lady Knicks for 6+ years. She has helped younger programs at the school. She has a real passion for the sport and is able to teach the hard work it takes to excel at the game.

Walter Walker

Walter is born and raised right here in Syracuse. He attended Henniger High School where he played football. Read more

Walter attended Onondaga Community College we he found his passion for being a trainer and strength and conditioning coach. With 7+ years of training and coaching athletes, Walter has worked with professional overseas basketball players and has coached and helped multiple 1,000+ scorers on the high school and college level. He doesn’t just build better bodies he builds better people! 

Bob Whitaker

Bob Whitaker played four years of varsity basketball and was a two-time NYS ACE All Star. He holds a USA Basketball coaching license and is the Vice President of Marcellus Youth Basketball. Bob has coached boys’ and girls’ youth basketball for multiple grade levels since 2018. Read more

After graduating high school in 1995, Bob enlisted in the Navy. He was commissioned in 2004 and continues to serve in the Navy Reserve where he holds the rank of Commander. Bob previously worked as a sportswriter for an Upstate New York newspaper where he covered high school and college sports.

His coaching philosophy is fundamentals-first, developed through discipline, humility, hard-work and selflessness.

Love Nicholson

Born and raised in Syracuse, NY Love attended Syracuse Academy of Science (SAS) and graduated from Nottingham High School. Coach Love graduated from St. Bonaventure University where she played club basketball. Read more

She is currently the Head Coach for Syracuse Academy of Science girls basketball.  Throughout Coach Love’s basketball career, her accomplishments include playing overseas and being ranked in the top five for steals and assists. During her journey, after suffering various injuries, she discovered a newfound love of helping athletes rehabilitate and learn injury presentation. Her training philosophy comes down to two quotes: “Whisper criticism and scream praise, and “It doesn’t matter who comes in front of you to guard you – they still can’t check you.”

Elijah Wright

Elijah Wright will be graduating from Syracuse University in Spring of 2024 with a degree in Sport Management and a minor in Event Management. Read more

Elijah has been a member of the Syracuse University football team for 4 seasons. Elijah played Varsity basketball for 3 years in high school, along with playing AAU Basketball.

Josh Dixon

Josh Dixon started his basketball career at Onondaga Central Schools (OCS) where he played varsity for 4 years winning 2 OHSL League Championships. At OCS, he was a 3-year starter and OHSL All-League Selection each of these years. Read more

He left OCS as their All-Time record holder in Assists (Game, Season, and Career). After High School Josh attended Cayuga Community College (CCC) from 1997-1999 and led the team in scoring and assists. He was selected to the NJCAA Region 3 All-Star game his sophomore year. After his basketball career ended, he came back to OCS to serve as an Assistant to Hall of Fame Coach Larry Behm. Currently, Josh serves as a 1-4 Grade Girls Coach with Marcellus Youth Basketball and runs the 4th Grade Girls travel team. His goal is to help CNY Youth develop a lifelong love of the game. Through this love, they will develop sportsmanship, discipline, and work ethic that will help them beyond basketball.

Kia’ja

Born and raised in Syracuse NY, Kia’ja (Coach K) attended Institute of Technology (ITC). Kia’ja is an Onondaga community college graduate. Read more

Kia’ja played basketball in high school where she found her passion to always help! Currently, Coach K is an Engagement Specialist through SCSD where she continues coaching for SCSD. With coaching, Coach K wants to get through to as many youths as possible to help overcome some life obstacles and barriers. Always show me what you can do, work don’t stop~ Coach K.

Shannon Koss

Shannon was a four-year starter at Bishop Ludden High school where she averaged a double-double her junior and senior year. Read more

Following high school, she became a three-year starter and 2-year captain at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY. Shannon scored 1000 points while becoming a 3-year Skyline Conference Champion as well as 4 NCAA Div III appearances. After college Shannon continued her basketball career by coaching with the 8th grade Unity Wildcats AAU team for 2 years with Coach Terry Manion, the 8th grade Syracuse Royals AAU team for 1-2 years with Nicole McManus and 1 season with the OCC Women’s Basketball Team with Mike Wheeler.