Ron Naclerio finds himself standing alone in the New York high school basketball history books yet again.
Naclerio, the longtime head coach of the boy’s basketball program at Benjamin N. Cardozo High School in Queens, captured his 973rd victory on Friday with a 69-46 win over Julia Richman, making him the winningest high school coach in New York state history.
Naclerio, 68, finds himself above legendary head coach Jack Curran of Archbishop Molloy, who racked up 972 career wins over his five-decade tenure.
Along with high school basketball, Naclerio also became the most victorious head coach in New York City basketball history across all levels of play, including the NBA.
Even before Friday’s game began, Naclerio knew that something different was in the air, noting that the atmosphere was a “Cardozo basketball lovefest” despite being an away game for them.
“I knew it was special,” Naclerio told The Post via phone following the win. “Because when you look in the crowd and you see 30 or 40 former players, and you see the media.”
Cardozo got off to a commanding lead to start the game, with Naclerio having the chance to get all of his players on the court for the win.
“At halftime I realized unless an atomic bomb hit the place, 16 basketball minutes would put me on a basketball Mount Rushmore myself,” Naclerio laughed.
Then, with a minute left in the game, the milestone of standing alone in New York City basketball history started to set in, with Naclerio noting the weight of being discussed in the same sentence as legendary Knicks coach Red Holzman.
“To even be considered in the same sentence as the only Knick coach to win two NBA championships, a Hall of Famer … I’m going to enjoy this,” he said.
As expected, celebration ensued following the win, with Naclerio noting the many people in the NYC basketball world who reached out and gave their congratulations.
“It’s nice to see on the phone Rick Pitino texting you, Kenny Anderson texting you, Kenny Smith texting you, it’s definitely a ‘Wow,’ ” he added.
The Bayside native’s milestone also comes after he was almost sidelined from coaching after city investigators accused him of improperly recruiting students from surrounding schools to join his team.
Naclerio ultimately scored a legal win, but higher-ups at Cardozo gave the legendary coach a two-game suspension in December.
Naclerio, who has coached at Cardozo for 51 years, has won two city titles — 1999 and 2014 — and produced four NBA players: Rafer Alston, Royal Ivey, Duane Causwell and James Southerland.
Despite five decades of coaching, Naclerio doesn’t think he’s done just yet, saying that, in basketball terms, he’s in the fourth quarter of his career.
“I know I’m in the fourth quarter,” Naclerio said. “Am I in the beginning of the fourth quarter? Am I in the middle of the fourth quarter? Am I late in the fourth quarter? Or am I in overtime? I don’t know.
“All great things come to an end, and I know when the day will come. The day is not here yet,” he added.
News
Carrying a 333-word letter that REVEALED THE ENTIRE horrifying truth
Tragic Discovery at Kruger National Park: A 333-Word Letter Reveals the Horrifying Truth Behind the Deaths of Two Tourists Authorities in South Africa are investigating a deeply disturbing case after the bodies of two foreign tourists were discovered in a remote section of Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s most famous wildlife reserves. The grim […]
MAJOR DISCOVERY: A 33-Second Video From a Maldives Diver Who Died Searching for Italian Tourists’ Bodies Leaves Investigators Stunned
BREAKING: A 33-Second Video Recovered From the Phone of a Maldives Diver Reveals a HORRIFYING Truth Deep Inside the Cave Authorities investigating the mysterious deaths of two Italian tourists and a Maldivian rescue diver have reportedly uncovered a shocking new piece of evidence: a 33-second video recovered from the diver’s damaged phone. According to sources […]
SHOCKING: A 33-Second Video From the Phone of a Maldives Diver Killed Inside the Cave Reveals a Terrifying Truth About the Recovery Mission
BREAKING: A 33-Second Video Recovered From the Phone of a Maldives Diver Reveals a HORRIFYING Truth Deep Inside the Cave Authorities investigating the mysterious deaths of two Italian tourists and a Maldivian rescue diver have reportedly uncovered a shocking new piece of evidence: a 33-second video recovered from the diver’s damaged phone. According to sources […]
BREAKING: A 33-Second Video Has Been Recovered From the Phone of a Maldives Diver Who Died During the Mission to Recover the Bodies of Italian Tourists From the Cave — Revealing a HORRIFYING Truth Deep Inside the Cavern
BREAKING: A 33-Second Video Recovered From the Phone of a Maldives Diver Reveals a HORRIFYING Truth Deep Inside the Cave Authorities investigating the mysterious deaths of two Italian tourists and a Maldivian rescue diver have reportedly uncovered a shocking new piece of evidence: a 33-second video recovered from the diver’s damaged phone. According to sources […]
Landman Season 3 has completed production — here’s when each new episode is expected to air!
Landman Season 3 Has Completed Production — Here’s When Each New Episode Is Expected to Air! Fans of Landman finally have a reason to celebrate. After months of speculation, rumors, and behind-the-scenes leaks, production for Landman Season 3 has officially wrapped. The highly anticipated third season of the hit drama is now entering post-production, and […]
The husband who lost his wife in the Maldives 40 years ago recalls horrifying memories after 5 Italian tourists failed to survive at the same doomed location
Husband of Missing Diver Reveals Horrifying Secret and Releases 33-Minute Cave Video Linked to Maldives Tragedy That Killed 5 Italian Tourists A shocking new twist has emerged in the investigation surrounding the deaths of five Italian tourists inside a dangerous underwater cave system in the Maldives after the husband of a diver who died at […]
End of content
No more pages to load
What do you think? Post a comment.