Our Team.
Coach Desmond Turner and Joe Romero founded this program with the idea that every player, no matter their level of experience, can develop into a successful athlete. They are joined by a coaching team who share the same core beliefs.
Coach & Co-Founder
Desmond Turner
Coach Turner is in his 25th year in the sport of basketball. He played at The State University of Purchase as a starting captain shooting guard. He took his expertise into coaching with Sleepy Hollow High School from 2008-2010, going undefeated in 2010 with the JV Team. He then went on to coach Varsity at Manhattan High School for 2 years, building the program to an 11-4 record. He has been impactful with many at risk student athletes through basketball, becoming a bridge for college sports. After a 20 year career, in 2017 he started a basketball training program in Queens, NY which has grown into an AAU program called the New York Wild. Desmond is currently coaching the Mahopac High School JV Boys basketball team.
Coach & Co-Founder
Joe Romero
Coach Joe brings over 12 years of experience in group home settings, where he had provided mentorship and guidance to youth both in athletic and personal development contexts. A seasoned athlete with a background in multiple high school sports, he is the Co-Founder of NY Wild. His dedication to nurturing young athletes and fostering their personal growth underscores his conviction that sports serve as a valuable platform for cultivating character, discipline, and self-assurance.
Coach
Brian Sondey
Brian Sondey concluded a 14-year college coaching career in February 2024. During his 14 seasons, Brian coached at various levels of college as either a head coach or lead assistant with stops at Concordia College New York,
The College of New Rochelle, Manhattanville University, and Rockland Community College.
Coach Sondey's final season was memorable as he earned his 100th career victory as a head coach and also coached his first college All-American. Coach Sondey has joined the Wild due to his passion for the game and desire to
coach younger players on what it takes to get to their highest level.
Coach
Omar Roberts
I have been coaching basketball periodically for 20 years. I started in 2000 with the PAL summer leagues in New York City, where I advanced to the finals in back-to-back years. After that, I coached at the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club. In addition to coaching, I have many years of proven leadership and managerial experience as a Facilities and Office Manager. These
skills help me guide our team both on and off the court. Eventually, I decided to take a break to start a family with my wonderful wife, Melissa. Together, we have two incredible daughters, Faith and Hope. Over the years, the desire to return to coaching had been burning inside me, bringing me back to doing something I love.
Coach
Steve Cohen
Coach Steve grew up with a passion for the game of basketball and played organized basketball
throughout high school. His youth coaching experience extends beyond basketball and includes baseball and football as well. He enjoys working on proper fundamentals, skill development, teamwork and sportsmanship as a foundation for a successful season.
Coach
Justin Zeytoonian
Justin comes from a family with a strong passion for basketball. He played at the varsity high school level, and through college with various club teams. His coaching experience includes 6 years of youth basketball skills and development, & recreational youth teams, most recently with the NY WILD AAU program.
We're Hiring Coaches!
Coach
Know someone who would be a perfect fit? Would you like to coach? Please get in touch with us, we'd love to hear from you!
teamwildbasketball@gmail.com
