Skip to content

Home
About Us
Teams
- 3rd Grade
- 4th Grade
- 5th Grade
- 6th Grade
- 7th Grade
- 8th Grade
- 9th Grade
- 10th Grade
- 11th Grade
Programs
Events
Store
Contact Us
More

Home
About Us
Teams
- 3rd Grade
- 4th Grade
- 5th Grade
- 6th Grade
- 7th Grade
- 8th Grade
- 9th Grade
- 10th Grade
- 11th Grade
Programs
Events
Store
Contact Us
More

Register now

Meet Our Team

Larry Merritt

Founder & Director

Larry Merritt

Founder & Director

Coach Merritt has over 35 years of coaching and youth development experience. Coach Merritt and his staff continually place student athletes in the top schools and the most competitive basketball tournaments throughout the country. Coach Merritt founded The Club Boston Basketball Academy in January 2026.

Previously, Coach Merritt was the Director of Basketball Operations at The BASE, Inc. from 2019-2025, where he helped build a youth basketball empire from 2 to 21 teams in his first year serving youths in Grades K-12.

Prior to The BASE, Inc., Coach Merritt founded the Merritting Attention Basketball Club (MABC Bengals) in 2005. Since 2005, Coach Merritt and his coaching staff have won 13 National Championships and over 50 Massachusetts AAU State Championships and New England AAU Super Regional Championships.

In addition, Merritt has coached many student-athletes that have been ranked nationally in the ESPN Top 100, played in the McDonald’s All-American Game, the Michael Jordan Classic for premier high school basketball players and many have played Division I, II, III College Basketball along with several playing professional basketball in the NBA and Europe.

Coach Merritt received a full four-year basketball scholarship to attend Merrimack College where he received a B.S. in Business Administration. While at Merrimack, he was named Merrimack College Men's Basketball Team MVP, selected to the NCAA Division II New England All-Star Team and the Founder of the first organization for students of color, Brothers & Sisters United at Merrimack College in 1995.

During his high school basketball career at Cathedral High School (Boston), Coach Merritt won honors such as Boston Herald’s All-Scholastic & Player of the Year Awards, Boston Globe All-Scholastic & Player of the Year Awards and selected to the Boston Herald Dream Team - Top 5 players in Massachusetts. Merritt is a member of Cathedral’s 1,000 Point Club (1,549). He was one of the best three sport athlete at Cathedral by excelling in baseball, football and basketball.

Currently, Merritt serves as the Assistant Director of Athletics at Bunker Hill Community College and a member of the NJCAA Basketball Committee.

Email:support@callplaybook.com

Grady Milton

Dean of Basketball

Grady Milton

Dean of Basketball

A Boston, Massachusetts native, Grady Milton joined The Club Boston leadership team in 2026. He began his coaching career in 2011 after completing his high school and collegiate playing career at Bridgewater State University. Grady served as Associate Head Coach at Cathedral High School from 2015–2018 and at Cristo Rey Boston High School from 2018–2023, where he developed and mentored student-athletes while emphasizing character development, player development, and team building.

Grady leads The Club Boston’s strength and conditioning program, drawing on his expertise in fitness, strength training, and nutrition to help athletes excel on the court. He currently coaches in the middle school division and with the 17U Uncle Drew/Made Hoops Circuit team.

As Dean of Basketball, Grady is committed to developing talent, building a winning culture, and creating greater access and opportunities for young people through basketball.

Email:support@callplaybook.com

Casey Clarkson

Dir. of Player Dev.

Casey Clarkson

Dir. of Player Dev.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Julius Hood

Coach

Julius Hood

Coach

Julius has always been passionate about mentoring youth and helping young people grow both on and off the court. As a youth basketball coach, I bring a leadership-centered approach focused on developing athletes’ skills, confidence, discipline, and character. Over the past four years in the AAU circuit, Julius has built meaningful relationships with young athletes, guided their progress, and helped them reach their full potential. My goal is not only to develop better basketball players, but also to help young people become responsible, resilient, and confident individuals.

As a former standout high school basketball player, Julius understands the dedication, discipline, and perseverance required to succeed. Julius was named All-Scholastic by The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald, and he is also a member of the Avon High School Hall of Fame. These accomplishments, along with my experience as an athlete, continue to shape my coaching philosophy and allow me to understand the challenges young athletes face as they work toward their goals.

Today, Julius serves the City of Boston where he oversee the Trades Department and support the maintenance and operation of more than 300 parks throughout the city. This leadership role has strengthened my ability to organize, motivate, communicate, and lead teams effectively. Julius brings these same qualities to coaching, creating a positive and disciplined environment where athletes are encouraged to work hard, support one another, and grow both in basketball and in life.

Email:support@callplaybook.com

Darnell Buffong

Director of Social Media / Marketing

Darnell Buffong

Director of Social Media / Marketing

Program Leadership | Coach | Youth Development | Community Engagement

Darnell Buffong brings a unique combination of basketball experience, entrepreneurship, creativity, and community leadership to The Club Boston.

A 2002 graduate of Boston Latin Academy, Buffong continued his basketball journey at Fisher College, where he played one year at the collegiate level. His connection to the game has continued well beyond his playing days, developing into a commitment to helping the next generation of Boston athletes grow both on and off the court.

For more than six years, Darnell has been immersed in youth basketball as a parent, coach, mentor, and supporter. He has coached young athletes across numerous leagues and programs throughout Boston, giving him firsthand experience with the development process from both the sideline and the parent perspective.

His philosophy is centered around development, accountability, exposure, and opportunity. While winning and competing at a high level matter, Darnell believes a successful basketball program must also prepare young athletes for life—teaching discipline, confidence, teamwork, leadership, and how to represent themselves the right way.

Beyond basketball, Darnell is an accomplished entrepreneur and creative professional. As a world-traveled DJ, photographer, business owner, and graphic designer, he brings years of experience in branding, marketing, event production, networking, and relationship building. That experience allows him to contribute to The Club Boston beyond the court, helping strengthen the program’s identity, visibility, culture, and connection to the community.

As part of The Club Boston, Darnell is committed to helping build a program that Boston families can be proud of—one that gives young athletes access to quality coaching, strong competition, meaningful exposure, mentorship, and opportunities to reach their full potential.

For Darnell, the mission is bigger than basketball.

Develop the player. Build the person. Strengthen the community.

Donell Berryman

Director of Operations (High School)

Donell Berryman

Director of Operations (High School)

Born and raised in Boston, I’m a Cathedral High School graduate and 1,000-point scorer who continued my playing career at Assumption University. After college, I transitioned into coaching with a passion for developing young athletes on and off the court.

My coaching journey includes serving as Head Coach at Premier Prep in the NEPSAC (Single-A and Triple-A), Assistant Coach for Madison Park High School’s varsity boys basketball team, and coaching with Team Sims AAU, where I worked with 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th grade teams competing on the Hoop Group circuit.

I’ve always believed in leading by example and building relationships that last beyond basketball. I’m excited to join The Club Boston as Director of Basketball Operations (9-11) and can’t wait to get to work. As a kid from Boston, it’s an honor to give back to my community by helping the next generation grow as athletes, students, and young leaders. In addition, Coach Berryman is a member of the MABC Bengals 2019 National AAU Champions.

Calvin Cheek

Director of Operations (Middle School)

Calvin Cheek

Director of Operations (Middle School)

Calvin “Chauncee” Cheek is currently the Assistant Boy’s Varsity Basketball Coach at Nobles & Greenough School (Dedham). He graduated from Cathedral High School (Boston) and was one of the top points guards in New England on both ends of the floor.

After graduation, he went on to play 4 years and graduate from New England college with a Bachelor’s Degree. As a player at NEC, He accumulated over 1300 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists and 580 steals in his career. He is the all time steals leader in NCAA history and an All-American. He won multiple conference championships and played in the NCAA tournament.

After college graduation, he went on to play professional basketball overseas in Cape Verde and Georgia before returning to the states and playing in the TBL for the Jamestown Jackals.

As a coach, he is a believer in relationship building not only on the court but off as well. His purpose is to help our students-athletes become the best versions of themselves and building leaders.

Accomplishments 2022 NABC – Reese's Division III College All-Star Game
2021-22 D3Hoops.com All-East/New England Region Teams
2021-22 NECC Co-Player of the Year
2021-22 NECC Defensive Player of the Year
2021-22 Student-Athlete of the Month - November
2020-21 D3Hoops.com All-East Team/New England Region Teams
2020-23 Noontime Sports New Hampshire All-Decade Team
2020-21 Student-Athlete of the Month - March
2019-20 NECC First Team
2019-20 NECC Defensive Player of the Year
2018-19 NECC 2nd Team
2018-19 NECC Defensive Player of the Year
2017-18 NAC 1st Team
2017-18 NAC Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year
2021-22: 3x NECC Player of the Week, D3Hoops.com Team of the Week
2017-18: 7x NAC Rookie of the Week

Israel Garcia

Coach

Israel Garcia

Coach

My basketball journey began at a young age, where I developed my skills and passion for the game playing throughout Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. I competed at various levels, progressing from novice basketball to the highly competitive Liga Puertorriqueña, gaining valuable experience and learning the importance of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance.

I continued my basketball career at the high school level in Puerto Rico, where I further developed my skills and competed against talented players from across the region.

My passion and dedication to the game eventually led me to the professional level, where I had the opportunity to play professionally in Barahona, Dominican Republic. Competing internationally provided me with a unique perspective on the game and allowed me to experience different styles of basketball while continuing to grow as a player.

Today, I bring the knowledge, experience, and passion gained throughout my playing career to help develop the next generation of basketball players in the Somerville Travel Program who competes in the MetroWest League. Recently, my teams won the MetroWest Winter Basketnall League Championship and the Yappa Summer Basketball League Champions.

Ultimately, my goal is to use my experiences both on and off the court to teach young athletes the value of hard work, character, discipline, and commitment while helping them reach their full potential.

Email:support@callplaybook.com

Lurena Hood

Co-Chair / Parent Advisory Council

Lurena Hood

Co-Chair / Parent Advisory Council

Lurena Hood is a dedicated mother of three with more than 20 years of experience working with children, youth, and families. Lurena brings a wealth of compassion, advocacy, and dedication to her role as an AAU Team Parent. As a Social Worker she has served children, adolescents, and families in a variety of capacities, always focused on supporting their well-being, growth, and success.

Beyond her professional work, Lurena is passionate about creating positive experiences for young people and building a strong sense of community. As a team parent, she enjoys supporting the athletes both on and off the court—helping create an environment where players feel encouraged, supported, and connected.

She believes that youth sports are about more than competition. They are an opportunity to develop confidence, discipline, teamwork, leadership, and lifelong relationships. She is proud to be part of a village of coaches, families, and supporters who help young athletes reach their full potential.

Email:support@callplaybook.com

Vanessa Ortiz

Co-Chair / Parent Advisory Council

Vanessa Ortiz

Co-Chair / Parent Advisory Council

My name is Vanessa Ortiz-Lora, I am the parent of 2 boys Gio who currently plays for 13U and Gugu who plays soccer. I am honored to serve as a member of the Club Parent Council Board, where I contribute my time, leadership, and commitment to supporting the success of our program. In addition to my responsibilities on the board, I have served as a Team Mom for three years, working closely with coaches, players, and families to help ensure each season is organized, positive, and successful.

My role involves providing essential support to the coaching staff, assisting with communication and team coordination, and helping address the needs of our players and families. I believe strong collaboration between the board, coaching staff, parents, and volunteers is essential to creating a structured and supportive environment for our children.

I am dedicated to promoting teamwork, sportsmanship, accountability, and personal growth while helping provide our young athletes with a positive and meaningful basketball experience. I take pride in being a dependable resource for our coaches and families and remain committed to the continued growth and success of our basketball program.

Email:support@callplaybook.comMy name is Vanessa Ortiz-Lora, I am the parent of 2 boys Gio who currently plays for 13U and Gugu who plays soccer. I am honored to serve as a member of the Club Parent Council Board, where I contribute my time, leadership, and commitment to supporting the success of our program. In addition to my responsibilities on the board, I have served as a Team Mom for three years, working closely with coaches, players, and families to help ensure each season is organized, positive, and successful. My role involves providing essential support to the coaching staff, assisting with communication and team coordination, and helping address the needs of our players and families. I believe strong collaboration between the board, coaching staff, parents, and volunteers is essential to creating a structured and supportive environment for our children. I am dedicated to promoting teamwork, sportsmanship, accountability, and personal growth while helping provide our young athletes with a positive and meaningful basketball experience. I take pride in being a dependable resource for our coaches and families and remain committed to the continued growth and success of our basketball program.

Stanley Pierre-louis

Coach

Stanley Pierre-louis

Coach

Stanley Pierre-Louis

A 2019 graduate of Cathedral High School, Stanley was a 2019 CCL All-Star in basketball and played under Coach Larry Merritt for two years. He went on to play basketball all four years at Bridgewater State University, serving as team captain for three years.

Stanley graduated from Bridgewater State in 2023 with a degree in Criminal Justice and currently works at DYS as the youngest supervisor in the Metro Region.

Stanley has also dedicated several years to coaching AAU Basketball. He coached the RI Knights from 2021–2023, The Base from 2023–2025, and currently serves as a coach with The Club Boston, where he continues to develop young athletes and give back to the community.

Isaiah Bowman

Coach

Isaiah Bowman

Coach

Isaiah Bowman

Isaiah began his basketball journey playing at the high school level for Burke High School and Belmont High School before competing on the AAU circuit with YABC, Lee Academy, and Iceman under Coach Eric Bradshaw. Throughout his playing career, he earned recruitment interest from several local colleges, including Curry College, UMass Boston, and Dean College.

After his playing career, he transitioned into coaching, serving as an assistant coach alongside Donell Berryman with Team Sims’ 10th Grade HGL team. In that role, he continued to expand his knowledge of the game while helping mentor, develop, and guide the next generation of basketball players.

Email:support@callplaybook.com

vacant

Director of Operations (Elementary School)

vacant

Administrator Assistant

Quick Links

Contact us

(351) 777-9628
info@theclubboston.org