About Us
High Rise Basketball was founded in 2011 by Bobby Spezzano & Drew Gladstone, two former collegiate players from Fairfield County, CT. What started out as a summer basketball camp has evolved into a full service, year-round player development organization featuring over 20 programs for boys and girls ages 5 & up. Through camps, clinics, leagues, travel & AAU teams, private & group training, High Rise has been able to not only introduce and teach the game to tons of young players, but has also helped to develop players to play at the high school, college and professional levels as well. From our beginners programs to our highest level of college and professional training, we believe that the values taught and lessons learned from the game of basketball are ones that will prove to be extremely valuable in life!
Meet the Coaches
Drew Gladstone
Founder/Director
As a high school freshman, Drew Gladstone was a member of the 2001-2002 Varsity Greenwich High School Divisional Championship team that tallied a record best 22-4 season. Drew completed the second half of his high school career under legendary NYC basketball coach Ron Naclerio at Cardozo HS in Queens, NY. During his high school career, Drew was a two-time scholar athlete award winner, a 2004 Reebok ABCD All-American, a 2005 McDonald's All-American nominee, and a 2005 Jordan Classic participant. He also played AAU basketball under two-time national high school coach of the year, Kevin Boyle. Drew went on to play college ball competing in the Big East Conference at DePaul University. He played briefly in the semi-pro International Basketball League during the 2011 season. During the 2011- 2012 season, Drew was a special assistant coach under Steve Masiello for the Manhattan Jaspers Men's Basketball Team (D-1, MAAC Confrence). Drew is currently the Head Boys Varsity Coach at St. Luke's School in New Canaan, CT. In 2016, Drew led the Storm to a school-best 25-1 record, winning the FAA Regular Season Championship, FAA tournament Championship, New England Championship, and also received New England Coach of the Year honors.
Bobby Spezzano
Founder/Director
As a high school junior, Bobby Spezzano helped lead the 2001-2002 Greenwich High School (GHS) Varsity team to its first divisional title, with a school best record of 22-4. Bobby went on to become the Captain of GHS Varsity during the 2002-2003 season, before attending Concordia College on an athletic scholarship for four years. Bobby has been personally training young players in the area for over 6 years and has also coached the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich 8th Grade Travel Team for 3 years. He currently coaches in the New Canaan Basketball Association travel program, where during his first year there (2012-2013), he brought his 8th grade team to the FCBL 'AA' Championship game. After coaching for different AAU programs in the area, in 2012, Bobby expanded the High Rise brand to include an AAU division, coaching the 15 & Under team. He is also a certified referee in the state of Connecticut.
Nate Jean-Baptiste
Program Director
Nate Jean-Baptiste comes to High Rise after a successful career playing professionally in Europe. A native of the Far Rockaway section of Queens, NY, Nate played along side High Rise Co-Direction Bobby Spezzano at Concordia College, graduating with a degree in business management in 2007. While at Concordia, Nate led the Clippers to the 2007 NYCAC semi-finals for the first time in the schools 125 year history while leading the league in 3-point percentage. Following Concordia, Nate took his talents to Germany to play for the TSG Schwaebish Hall Flyers for the next 3 seasons. In his first season, he led the team to a league Championship (2008). While with the Flyers he racked up accolades for Top Playmaker in 2008 & 2009, Best Newcomer in 2008, and was awarded Defensive Player of the Year in 2008, 2009, and 2010. He last played with Hannover Korbjaeger during the 2011-2012 season. Nate has been apart of the High Rise family since 2011, acting as a camp counselor and during the 2013 camp season, he became Camp Commissioner, running all 5 weeks of summer camp. Nate is involved with all facets of High Rise with an emphasis on skills training for players of all ages and abilities.
