About Us

About Us

WORK HARD. PLAY HARD. HAVE FUN.

Founded in 2009, Premier Hoops Development (PHD) has become the premier youth basketball development program in Connecticut – emphasizing player development, teamwork and leadership. At PHD, we believe every player has the right to unlock their true potential. We plan, promote, organize and implement a comprehensive and competitive basketball schedule to help inspire self-confidence, athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership – both on and off the court. From our award-winning camps and clinics to the most complete AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) basketball experience in the tri-state area, PHD is much more than a basketball organization – we are a family!

Our Coaches

Drew Carothers

Drew Carothers

Drew was a 3 sport varsity athlete at Fairfield High School beginning in his sophomore year. He was recruited by several colleges and universities to play both baseball and basketball, which culminated with a scholarship to pitch at Iona College, a division 1 college in New Rochelle, NY.

At 22, Drew began his coaching as the assistant baseball coach at Greens Farms Academy and freshman basketball coach at Fairfield Prep. He coached at Fairfield Prep for 6 years and 3 years as the Assistant Varsity Coach at Fairfield Warde High School.

Recognizing a need in Fairfield County for a basketball development program designed to help kids unlock their true potential, Drew and Jay Conway started/founded PHD in 2009. Over the years, Drew has coached all different age groups, achieving several accolades along the way including multiple state championships & national rankings.

In addition to PHD, Drew is heavily involved in youth basketball in Fairfield County working and running youth basketball programs throughout the year in Stamford, Darien, Westport and Fairfield. Additionally, he serves on the Westport PAL Board (10 years), JCC Schoolboy Classic (8 years) and Fairfield County Basketball League - FCBL (1 year) on top of all his coaching responsibilities.

Orlando Daniel

Orlando Daniel

Orlando played his high school basketball at Kolbe Cathedral where he won a SWC Championship in 2006 and was apart of the 2007 team that posted a 23-2 record that season. After graduating from Kolbe, he attended Mercy College where he served as the team captain during his junior and senior campaigns and still holds the record for assist in one half (9 vs University of Bridgeport). After obtaining his bachelor degree in Business Management in 2011, Orlando did a graduate assistant-ship at Mercy as well. Orlando started his coaching career in 2012 at Harding High School as the head JV Coach and assistant varsity, where he still currently coaches.

After his first campaign with 15U PHD coach, Orlando's team won 5 tournaments, finished in the top 8 at the Gym Rat Challenge, a top nationally known tournament and finish #5 in the nation at Division 2 Nationals in Memphis, Tennessee.

Joe Black

Joe Black

Joe grew up in Fairfield, CT and was a 3-year varsity basketball player for Fairfield Warde High School. After graduating, Joe brought the energy and IQ that he played with and took it to the sidelines, becoming a volunteer Assistant Varsity Coach for 3 years for Fairfield Warde.<br.
In addition, he has spent most of the last 12 years coaching on the youth side in both Fairfield and Westport as a part of PHD Basketball and Westport PAL Travel. Joe joined the Staples staff this winter as an Assistant Varsity Coach helping the team reach the FCIAC finals.

Jeremy Daniel

Jeremy Daniel

Jeremy played high school basketball locally at Bassick High School in Bridgeport, CT. In the offseason he played for various AAU Programs where he won a National Title with his 15u age group.

After high school he attended Lasell College where he finished his career:

- 3rd in Steals

- 2nd in Assists

- Single game record for assists in a game, 14

Jeremy is currently in his 4th year as an Assistant Coach at Bunnell High School.

Ryan Swaller

Ryan Swaller

Ryan played 4 years of basketball at Foran High School in Milford, CT. After high school, Ryan walked on at UCONN for 3 years and won a National Championship in 2004. He was also the Head Coach at Fairfield Warde High School for 15 years stepping down in 2023 to spend more time with his kids and family. He was the FCIAC coach of the year in 2022 and nominated to coach the JCC Schoolboy All-Star Game in 2023.

Currently he is a Social Studies Teacher at Ludlowe Middle School.

Jake Sullivan

Jake Sullivan

Coach Sully grew up in Fairfield, CT and played high school basketball at Fairfield Ludlowe High School, where he also began his coaching career. More recently, Jake has coached at Staples High School in Westport, CT, where he posted a 31-12 record in 3 years as the head freshman coach. For the last 2 winters, Jake has achieved a 28-12 record as the head JV coach at Staples while also assisting with the Varsity team.

On the AAU circuit, Coach Sully is entering his fifth year coaching for PHD. Jake is proud to have won 4 Zero Gravity tournaments as well as 2 Vertical Hoops championships with his youth teams. Jake wants his players to have a similar experience to what he had growing up and loving the game of basketball, while at the same time developing youth players for the next level.

Outside of hoops, Coach Sully works full-time for the administration at Staples High School. During the summer months, Jake has experience working various sports camps through Wakeman Boys and Girls Club, and most recently, Westport Continuing Ed. In his free time Coach Sully enjoys working out, going to the beach, and watching his beloved sports teams, which include Notre Dame football and UConn basketball.

Mark "Hop" Hopkins

Mark "Hop" Hopkins

- St James Girls/25 years. Head Coach. - St Joseph Girls10 years . Asst Varsity. JV Coach. (State Champs 2015) - Fairfield Warde 2 years . Asst Coach. - Ct Impact AAU 6 years. Head Coach. - Ct Hoopsters AAU/ 10 years.Head Coach

Dave Danko

Dave Danko

Isaiah Rutherford

Isaiah Rutherford

Brendan Stewart

Brendan Stewart

Brendan attended and played High school basketball at Kell High School in Marietta, GA. Brendan played Varsity basketball his junior and senior year. Played AAU from 6th grade up to junior year or high school. AAU teams went to Nationals every year he played. AAU team lost in Elite Eight of Nationals his Sophomore Year in Orlando, Florida. After high school, Brendan took a year off to work, before moving back to CT in 2014. He attended Western Connecticut State University, and walked onto the collegiate team. Brendan spent 3 years playing college basketball before leaving the team to focus on obtaining his degree in Criminal Justice.

Brendan has been coaching youth basketball for the past 5 years, boys and girls. Has coached for PHD and Westport PAL. Brendan has won championships with 5th girls and 6th grade boys. Hopes to continue to share his love for the game with the youth and spread as much knowledge to help them grow as basketball players.

Dexter Dennis

Dexter Dennis

Dexter was a three year Varsity starter at Warren Harding High School in Bridgeport, CT. After high school he played one year at Gateway Community College.

In recent years Dexter has gotten involved coaching youth basketball within the Echo League and Westport PAL Travel Basketball.

About us

About Us

Our Coaches

Drew Carothers

Orlando Daniel

Joe Black

Jeremy Daniel

Ryan Swaller

Jake Sullivan

Mark "Hop" Hopkins

Dave Danko

Isaiah Rutherford

Brendan Stewart

Dexter Dennis

Ira Cobb

Griffin Kass

Kyle Commodore

Brian Grasso