This year’s Kevin Gilbert Scholarship honorees are, from left; Brett Gable, CJ Banos, Ryan Ciesla, Jayson Labrador and Nolan Fuller.

Readington, New Jersey’s Kevin Gilbert joined the Diamond Jacks at Diamond Nation when the program was in its infancy. And by the time he was of high school age, he was already setting a standard of what it meant to be a great teammate, friend and leader.

Current Diamond Jacks Brett Gable (Cherokee), Nolan Fuller (Easton, Pa.), Jayson Labrador (Immaculata), CJ Banos (Somerville) and Ryan Ciesla (Somerville) joined a prestigious group of honorees placing their names next to Gilbert’s when they received the annual Kevin Gilbert Scholarship in a ceremony on Monday at Diamond Nation.

The scholarship was formed in 2011 in the heartbreaking wake of Gilbert’s death in a car accident that occurred shortly before the start of his senior baseball season at Hunterdon Central. Gilbert, an outstanding center fielder and hitter, had already committed to play college baseball at Temple University. Kevin was even asked to attend an invitation-only workout with the Houston Astros.

“Being in the Diamond Jacks program since 10U, I know just how storied the Kevin Gilbert Scholarship is,” said Labrador, a third baseman who has already arrived at Babson College in Wellesley, Mass. to begin his collegiate career. “So, being selected to receive the scholarship is an honor.”

Each year’s scholarship recipients must meet stringent academic, athletic and character requirements and submit an essay. Each honoree received $2,500 to use for educational purposes. Kevin Gilbert was not only a remarkably talented baseball player, he was an honor student and a leader among his peers in the Diamond Jacks program and at Hunterdon Central High School.

“Kevin was such a special person with tremendous qualities that shined through, not only on the baseball field, but in the classroom and in the way he carried himself,” said Kevin Cust, Diamond Nation’s Director of Baseball Operations. Cust also coached Gilbert a few years. “He is missed by all those that he touched. It’s always hard to select this award because we have so many great Diamond Jacks that are deserving.

“Ryan Brett, Nolan, Jay and CJ are all extremely deserving recipients in matching those endearing qualities Kevin possessed. We wish them all the best in their college careers.”

Kevin Gilbert Scholarship honors, Brett Gable, CJ Banos, Ryan Ciesla, Jayson Labrador and Nolan Fuller flanked by coach Kevin Cust and Diamond Nation General Mangaer Mike Cust.

Flemington-based Diamond Nation began the scholarship fund in 2011 to honor the memory of a player and person it deemed the prototype of what the young players in its program, the Diamond Jacks, should strive to be. Diamond Nation has now honored 57 recipients of the Gilbert Scholarship since 2012.

“I grew up at Diamond Nation and I am now 19 years old,” said Labrador. “I remember my first day at the Dome in the Patriot League and being asked to come back for a Diamond Jacks tryout the next morning. I didn’t know that from there I would form lifelong bonds and meet mentors and coaches who would shape my career and life.”

Ciesla, like Labrador, was omnipresent at the Flemington facility both on and off the field.

“I also work at Diamond Nation as a scorekeeper and helped run the Patriot League and summer camp,” said Ciesla. “It has been a ton of fun. I am very thankful and honored to be a Diamond Jack and a recipient of the Kevin Gilbert Scholarship.”

Diamond Nation spoke to each recipient about their thoughts on the Kevin Gilbert Scholarship and their experiences as a Diamond Jack.

BRETT GABLE (HARVARD)

The lefthander capped a terrific high school career in June when he pitched 5⅓ scoreless innings to steer Cherokee (28-3) to a 6-0 victory over Westfield in the NJSIAA Group 4 championship game. The Harvard-bound Gable went 9-1 in 2025 and pitched four shutouts while limiting opponents to a 1.47 ERA. He struck out 90 and walked 24 in 57 innings-pitched.

Brett says: “To receive the Kevin Gilbert Scholarship Award is such an amazing privilege. I am incredibly proud to represent Diamond Jack Baseball in the light of Kevin, who is so inspirational in the qualities and characteristics he is attached to. I am very fortunate to represent his name with such honor, and he is someone every single Diamond Jack should look up to.

“The Diamond Jacks have played such an important role in my career up to this point. I joined the Diamond Jacks in the fall of 2021. During those four years, the coaching staff has provided me countless opportunities to grow as a student of the game, as well as expose me to collegiate level baseball and college programs. The amount of effort and attention to development my coaches have shown during my time with the Diamond Jacks has allowed me to elevate my game and allow me to continue my career at the next level.

“To me, Diamond Nation is the pinnacle of a program that looks to develop and educate their players in the game of baseball. They have done so much for me in terms of the recruiting process, and I cannot thank them enough for all of the opportunities they have provided me with.”

JAYSON LABRADOR (BABSON COLLEGE MASS.)

Jayson’s career at Immaculata began as a freshman when the team was in a transformational rebuild and ended with a lot of winning, including two Somerset County Tournament championships and annual successes in the Non-Public state sectional tournament. Labrador, a four-year starter, posted an impressive .352 career batting average fortified by 111 hits. He batted .362 as a senior this year and registered 23 hits and 17 RBI.

Jayson says: “When they informed me I had been selected as one of the scholarship recipients, it was the highlight of my Diamond Jack career. Being considered as a person who represents the values of a man who was so loved and revered by his peers is a blessing.

“Without the Diamond Jacks program I don’t think I’d be the player nor the person I am. If I could name every single coach who I have had the opportunity to play for, I would. They were all critical to my development as a player and as a person.”

NOLAN FULLER (BLOOMSBURG, PA.)

Nolan batted .393 and posted a .518 slugging percentage for an Easton Area High (Pa.) team that went 10-11 in 2025. The Bloomsburg (Pa.)-bound Fuller had 22 hits and 14 RBI while drawing 13 walks in 56 at bats. The lefthander also contributed 29⅔ innings on the mound for his team, striking out 34 and permitting 19 earned runs. Fuller joined the Diamond Jacks at the age of 12.

Nolan says: “To be a Kevin Gilbert scholarship recipient means the world to me. Kevin Gilbert exemplifies what it means to be not only a baseball player but a great human being. I talked with a few coaches who had the pleasure of coaching Kevin and all they could say was amazing things about him. What stood out to me was they talked about the kind of person he was. He was a hard worker who left everything out on the field. That’s the legacy he left and to be able to honor him even just a little bit means so much.

“Diamond Nation has been so impactful to my development as a player. The coaching staff was always there to help me learn, not just physically but on the mental side of the game as well. This game is so mentally challenging that development can sometimes get overlooked. The atmosphere and environment truly made it an unforgettable experience. The teammates I met will be lifelong friends and the memories made will last a lifetime.

 “I cannot thank the staff at Diamond Nation enough for choosing me for this honor. I will forever be grateful to Diamond Nation for everything they’ve done for me in my baseball journey. Truly an unforgettable experience.”

RYAN CIESLA (STEVENS TECH)

Ryan will begin his college career shortly in Hoboken at Stevens Tech. fresh off an excellent spring in which the righthander went 5-4 with a 1.72 ERA. He struck out 61 and walked just 11 batters in 57 innings-pitched. His Somerville team finished the season at 14-11.

Ryan says: “I am very honored to be a recipient of the Kevin Gilbert Scholarship. To hear about how great a man Kevin was and to be chosen to receive something that is in his honor is a great feeling and a true honor.

“Diamond Nation and being a Diamond Jack has been a very important part of my life and was a blast from 12U to now. I made many unforgettable memories and made many friends in my time as a DJack. I love to help the program in any way I can. The DJacks helped me develop as a player year-after-year, from a first baseman batting 12th to a college pitcher and helping me along the way.

“They helped me in my recruitment process and helped me get to where I am.”

CJ BANOS (NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY)

CJ had 20 hits and 20 RBI in 2025 as he manned third base and did some pitching for Somerville High. He batted .290 and slugged at a .420 clip with three doubles and two home runs for the Pioneers. He also drew 12 walks, was hit by a pitch six times and stole six bases, so was a frequent flyer on the base paths.

CJ says: “I’m really honored to be a recipient of the Kevin Gilbert Scholarship. Reading about Kevin I learned he was a great player and an even better person. In my six years as a Diamond Jack, I’ve learned what it means to work hard, be a great teammate, and carry myself with integrity on and off the field. Diamond Nation and its coaches have shaped me as both a player and a person and helped me gain many of the qualities Kevin displayed.“