{"id":143989,"date":"2026-02-24T18:31:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T18:31:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/143989\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T18:31:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T18:31:10","slug":"cardozo-hs-basketball-coach-becomes-winningest-hoops-coach-in-new-york-state-qns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/143989\/","title":{"rendered":"Cardozo HS basketball coach becomes winningest hoops coach in New York state \u2013 QNS"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"cardozo\"\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Cardozo High School boys basketball coach Ron Naclerio earned his 973rd career win on Jan. 30, passing Jack Curran for the most career wins in New York State.<\/p>\n

Photo courtesy of Cardozo Hoops<\/p>\n

Ron Naclerio has had a long and successful career<\/a> as the head coach of the boys basketball team at Benjamin N. Cardozo High School<\/a> in Bayside<\/a>. He added to his legacy by becoming the all-time winningest head basketball coach in New York state after his team\u2019s 69-46 victory over Julia Richman High School on Friday, Jan. 30.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Ron Naclerio has led Cardozo High School to PSAL AA City Championships in 1999 and 2014. Photo courtesy of Cardozo Hoops<\/p>\n

The victory marked Naclerio\u2019s 973rd win, passing legendary Molloy coach Jack Curran. Naclerio has spent his entire coaching career at Cardozo since taking over as the head coach of the boys basketball team 45 years ago, in 1981. Prior to taking over as head coach, he spent six years as an assistant coach there. He noted that he and Curran were connected previously through their work on both the baseball diamond and the basketball court.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have the ultimate respect for [Jack Curran],\u201d Naclerio said. \u201cHe was also a great baseball coach. I played against him as a baseball player for Cardozo in \u201973, \u201974 and \u201975, and I coached against him in the \u201980s, \u201990s and early 2000s.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even after reaching former East Hampton High School Coach Ed Petrie\u2019s win total of 754, which was second to Curran, Naclerio said he did not stand a chance of reaching Curran. It was not until he recorded his 900th victory that the idea even crossed his mind. \u201cNow that I did it, I\u2019m actually pinching myself,\u201d Naclerio said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Ron Naclerio has spent 51 years coaching for the Cardozo High School boys basketball team, including 45 as the head coach. Photo courtesy of Cardozo Hoops<\/p>\n

Achieving the New York state wins record is all the more impressive when taking into account Naclerio\u2019s first season as the Cardozo head coach. The team went just 1-21.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf somebody told me after winning just one game [the first season] that if I keep on doing this, I\u2019d go on to break the record, I\u2019d probably look at and say the guy was smoking something that he shouldn\u2019t be smoking,\u201d Naclerio said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Ron Naclerio with his Cardozo players. Photo courtesy of Cardozo Hoops<\/p>\n

While Naclerio, who was a ball boy for the New York Knicks during their championship runs in 1970 and 1972, originally had aspirations to one day coach in the NBA, he has found immense joy in his time at Cardozo.<\/p>\n

50 years ago: Knicks ballboy Ron Naclerio wipes the floor in front of Walt Clyde Frazier\n<\/p>\n

Friday: Cardozo High coach Ron Naclerio becomes the winningest coach in New York history\n<\/p>\n

Congrats Coach on win #973 https:\/\/t.co\/1aTmBipe3E<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/4CRGHnCnZI<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

\u2014 New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) February 1, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cGod has a plan. I didn\u2019t realize the plan. I have to thank the good Lord that he kept me in high school this long,\u201d Naclerio said. \u201cI made a mark that I never thought I\u2019d be able to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Photo courtesy of Cardozo Hoops<\/p>\n

One constant that Naclerio credits for helping him stick around and succeed for as long as he has is the strong support and guidance from his assistant coaches. He is also thankful to his players, who allowed him to push them into improving their abilities.<\/p>\n

Some of his notable former players included Duane Causwell, Rafer Alston and Royal Ivey, each of whom went on to play in the NBA. Ivey is now following in the footsteps of Naclerio, working as an assistant coach for the Houston Rockets.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Naclerio with one of his former players, Duane Causwell, who went on to play in the NBA. Photo courtesy of Cardozo Hoops<\/p>\n

Even after setting the New York state wins record, Naclerio said he still has his sights set on more goals before retiring.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Photo courtesy of Cardozo Hoops<\/p>\n

\u201cI know I\u2019m in the fourth quarter of my coaching career,\u201d Naclerio said. \u201cIs it about a minute left in the game, or is it a full period? I don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Naclerio is among the 2026 class of those being inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame<\/a> tonight.
\n\"\"<\/a>Photo courtesy of Cardozo Hoops\n<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s perfect timing, breaking the record for most wins,\u201d Naclerio said. \u201cGetting into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame, it\u2019s like \u2018Wow!\u2019 I\u2019m on cloud nine. When you do this for so long, you start saying, \u2018Well, there\u2019s got to be more.\u2019 You help a kid become a success. You win a Queens Borough title, you win a City title. You think about what\u2019s next. It looks like I\u2019m running out of what\u2019s nexts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Photo courtesy of Cardozo Hoops<\/p>\n

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