Hostos Community College Men's Basketball

Coach Marquee Poole is entering his sixth season patrolling the sidelines of The Swamp as the Head Coach and his seventh overall with the Hostos Caiman Mens Basketball program. Known as one of the Good Guys in New York City basketball, Coach Poole has a vast background as a player, coach and mentor. Coach Poole has not only proved himself as winner on the court the last six season but more importantly he has mentored countless student athletes and has helped place more than 25 student athletes in four year schools including many on athletic scholarships.    The 2018-2019 season was a successful one for Coach Poole posting an overall winning record of 17-13 including a 6-2 mark in the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) winning the regular season title and making an appearance in the CUNYAC Championship game. Coach Poole was also named CUNYAC coach of the Year and sophomore guard Nakeem Hamilton was named an NJCAA All-American and moved onto to DII Mercy College on a full athletic scholarship. 2017-2018 was a rebuilding effort for Coach Poole as he added five freshmen to the team which were the foundation for future success of the program. With a young squad Coach Poole was able to guide them to a regional semifinal appearance and a winning 5-3 record in the CUNYAC. The 2016-2017 season was a banner year for Coach Poole and the Caimans as they posted an overall record of 15-12, a 6-4 record in the CUNYAC and an appearance in the Region XV semifinals. Also, sophomore guard Jemal Smith was named a first team NJCAA All-American and moved onto to play at DII powerhouse Virginia Union University on a full athletic scholarship. The previous season, 2015-2016, was a special one for Coach Poole as he posted an 8-2 record in the CUNYAC winning the regular season championship. Coach Poole was also named CUNYAC Coach of the Year and sophomore Jefferson Francios was named CUNYAC Player of the Year. Jefferson Francios would also go onto play at DII Mercy College on a full athletic scholarship. Coach Pooles first season as the Head Coach at Hostos was a memorable one. His 2014-2015 squad would post a 19-17 overall record and went on the win the Region XV Championship defeating CUNYAC rival BMCC in the Championship Game to earn a trip to the NJCAA National Tournament. This regional championship was the third regional title in program history. At nationals Coach Poole would continue to coach his team to success as they would defeat Herkimer Community College in the National Quarterfinal before falling to Richland College (TX) in the Final Four. Coach Poole also had great success with this team placing his sophomores at scholarship level schools with four members of this team going onto play at both the DI and DII level on full athletic scholarships. Khalil Jackson and Jahkeem Folks would both go onto play at UDC and Myron Hickman would go onto play at Dowling College while Gabriel Agorioge would suit up to play at D1 University of Buffalo. Coach Poole would join the Hostos Caiman Mens Basketball Program in 2013-2014 as an Assistant Coach. This season was another successful chapter in the history of Hostos Mens Basketball as Coach Poole would help mentor a squad that posted a 26-5 overall record and won the CUNYAC regular season and tournament championship. Coach Poole was also instrumental in player development including CUNYAC Player of the Year and NJCAA All-American Tyree White who would move on to play at DII Queens College on a full athletic scholarship. Prior to his time at Hostos Coach Poole spent over a decade working in the criminal justice field working with at risk youth. Coach Poole also serves as the Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance for the Hostos athletic department. A Harlem native, Coach Poole played his prep ball down the street from The Swamp at CHSAA power house All Hallows High School where Coach Poole was an all NYC CHSAA player. Coach Poole earned his bachelors degree in 2002 from St. Bonaventure University where he was a four-year letter winner for the Bonnies Mens Basketball team.

Head Coach Ken Stevens enters his 12th season on the Caiman sideline, but the 2025-26 season will be his first as the Head Coach. Coach Stevens brings more than 30 years of basketball knowledge, leadership, and community impact to the Hostos coaching staff. Widely recognized as one of the most well-connected coaches in the Tri-State area, Coach Stevens has played a key role in shaping the Caimans’ success both on and off the court. Over the past 11 years, he has led all recruiting efforts and overseen practice and game plan development. Known for his sharp basketball mind, Coach Stevens has earned a reputation as a master tactician designing many of the Caimans’ offensive and defensive systems that have defined the team’s identity. During his time at The Swamp, Coach Stevens has helped recruit, develop, and mentor three NJCAA All-Americans, numerous All-CUNYAC and All-Region XV student-athletes, and has guided several former Caimans to earn athletic scholarships at four-year institutions. Before joining Hostos, Coach Stevens served as the Head Coach at Roosevelt High School in Yonkers for 23 years. His coaching journey began in 2000 at the Leake & Watts Carol and Frank Biondi School, a residential treatment center for at-risk youth where he served as Assistant Coach under Jim Bostic, helping lead the team to back-to-back Class D Championships. In 2002, he joined Roosevelt High School as the JV Boys Head Coach before being promoted to Varsity Head Coach, where he became not only a leader on the court but also a mentor and advisor to countless students. As a player, Coach Stevens starred at Kingsborough Community College, one of Hostos’ Region XV and CUNYAC rivals where he was named CUNY Player of the Year and scored over 1,000 points during his two-year career. In recognition of his achievements, he was inducted into the Kingsborough Community College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015. Beyond Coaching, Coach Stevens is the Founder and Director of Dyckman Youth Worldwide and the Founder and CEO of the Dyckman Basketball Tournament, established in 1990. Under his leadership, Dyckman has become one of New York City’s most iconic community programs, serving over 500 families and thousands of youth annually. Dyckman Youth Worldwide provides academic readiness programs, youth employment opportunities, and community engagement initiatives for underprivileged youth. The organization is also certified by New York City’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), employing over 80 local youth each summer to help operate the renowned Dyckman Basketball Tournament which uplifted the community for over 35 years.