Seniors Sharod Sutton and JJ Smith from William Floyd High School have been named among Newsday’s top 100 boys’ basketball players for the 2025-26 season. Both athletes are second-year starters receiving this recognition for the first time.
Sharod Sutton, a guard, has drawn praise from head coach Will Slinkosky. “His abilities allow the game to look very easy for him,” said Coach Slinkosky. “He’s able to go by any defender that pressures him and if the defense plays off, he’s able to knock down the three ball.” Newsday noted Sutton’s comeback after breaking his leg in September of his junior year, highlighting his average of 7.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game last season as well as his defensive contributions against top opponents. This season, through six games, Sutton is averaging nearly 14 points per game.
JJ Smith, also a guard and a 2024 All-League selection, provides significant offense for the Colonials lineup. Newsday highlighted Smith’s nearly eight points per game last season and described him as “the athletic second-year starter [who] can hit from midrange and beyond the arc.” Coach Slinkosky commented on Smith’s strengths: “his quickness and speed helps him get by defenders, and his savviness on defense allows him to be a major problem for the offensive players.” So far this season, Smith is averaging more than 13 points per game with ten three-pointers made.
The Colonials currently hold a 6-1 record and recently won at the Charles Gary Invitational. The team aims to secure its fifth consecutive League I title.
William Floyd School District serves over 9,400 students across ten schools in New York State as a public K-12 institution official website. The district offers programs in STEM, career training, arts, athletics, and extracurricular activities while encouraging collaboration among students, parents, educators, staff and community members official website. It has earned recognition for its music program and business education department official website.
