Student Athletes Set To Attend Global Squad
The Team Hurricane Basketball Program has announced that five of its players will be participating in Global Squad, an intensive summer basketball program run by the Alexander Basketball Academy.
Bermuda student-athletes Bryce Gonsalves, Jason Gonsalves, Jorel Smith, Darae Smith, and Dion Easton will be attending the month long academy, set to be held at The Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania from June 27 to July 27.
A spokesperson said, “Each summer the Global Squad provides international student-athletes with an opportunity to get recruited by U.S. colleges and universities, by putting them in front of college coaches, while providing elite training required to play at the next level.
“The Global Squad has an excellent recipe for success when it comes to helping international basketball players get recruited to play in the United States. In four years they have helped nearly 40 players get recruited by colleges, universities, junior colleges and top prep schools.”
Team Hurricane Founder/Head Coach Doug Reed said, “The Global Squad experience will represent our players’ second overseas basketball experience in 2015.
“Upon competing internationally in Montreal, Canada earlier in April, Jorel, Darae and Bryce now will get the opportunity to play 15 – 20 games against some of the best high school competition in the world.
“Former Saltus students Jason Gonsalves and Dion Easton, will serve as a counselors during the camp and train for potential college basketball opportunities.”
“Team Hurricane student-athletes are able to participate in such a high level basketball experience as a result of Team Hurricane aligning with Alexander Basketball Academy to hold the Team Hurricane-Global Squad Invitational Skills Camp this past April at Bermuda College. Coach Alexander and his staff ran an intense camp designed to scout, recruit, invited NCAA level talent from Bermuda to attend the Global Squad Summer Camp.”
Coach Alexander said, “Team Hurricane is clearly building a strong culture of hardworking and extremely coach-able basketball players.”
“Darea Smith: we love his athleticism. His speed and quickness give him a baseline to potentially play D-I basketball. If he can clean up some of his fundamentals, improve his jump shot, and ball-handling then he will have a lot of schools interested recruiting him.
“Jorel Smith is athletic, skilled, and extremely coachable. He’s only a freshmen so he has a lot of time to develop into a legit NCAA prospect.”
“Bryce Gonsalves loves getting physical and does a great job using his body around the basket. His high basketball IQ, toughness, and skill set make him a promising college prospect.”
“Once on The Hill School campus, the young men will be trained by a coaching staff that consists of professional players, current and former NCAA basketball players. Global Squad also has several NCAA college coaches and strength training experts on staff.
“Such a diverse staff makes for a unique environment for Bermuda student-athletes to learn the game and improve. During their month long experience, Hurricane players will take part in a schedule that includes 50+ hours of skill development whereby they will focus on their specific strengths and weakness to become better players. At camp’s conclusion, players will have a folder of valuable information on ways to continue their improvement.
“Players will have access to a state of the art weight-room as strength and conditioning coaches provide a strength program designed specifically for basketball players. Plyometric workouts are conducted throughout the camp.
“Each day players will take part in classroom sessions that will help develop their basketball IQ, and deliver in-depth basketball concepts and will enable to see the game from a different perspective.
“Team practices modeled after college programs and designed to be as challenging as possible in order to prepare players for the competitive level, intensity and intricacies of the college game.
“Team practices are also meant to maximize recruiting opportunities as the Global Squad coaching staff prepares its players for weekend tournaments when college coaches are watching.”
Darae Smith, a 6’ 4” shooting guard/small forward from Berkeley Institute said, “Global Squad is a great opportunity to test my skills against some fine opposition. I feel this is an opportunity I’ve been waiting for and I can’t let it slip by because there will be a lot of college coaches there.”
Saltus’ 6’ 2 guard/forward Bryce Gonsalves said, “I am very grateful that Alexander Basketball Academy invited me to be on their 2015 Global Squad. I know it will be a good experience and will increase my fitness and skill levels. It will also be a good chance for me to see first hand the level of competition in the US and to get some exposure for colleges.”
Jorel Smith, a 5’ 9” point guard from Cedarbridge Academy, said, “I want to thank Coach Reed and Team Hurricane Basketball Academy for this opportunity. I hope to get better, become more fit and exposed to what college coaches expect of you.”
Coach Reed added, “This experience for our players demonstrates the Team Hurricane Basketball Academy’s strength to provide a platform in which student-athletes can train, develop and reach their academic and athletic potential.
“In building relationships with programs in the United States such as the Alexander Basketball Academy and its Global Squad, Team Hurricane has proven its ability to provide its players with high-level opportunities to learn the game, which can only help basketball grow in Bermuda.
“Such an awesome life enriching opportunity for our student-athletes is made possible by all who have contributed to our programs and initiatives for 2014-2015: ABWilson Photography, Ace Group, Allied World Assurance, Argus Group, Butterfield & Vallis, FIL Limited, Jardine Matheson International Services, Orbis, The Peter Cundill Foundation, Tokio Millenium, Validus RE, XL Group, Zurich Insurance Company, as well as our individual donors.
“Their gracious support allows Team Hurricane to continue to develop the youth of Bermuda through sports and education.”
To learn more about Team Hurricane Basketball Academy, as well as to learn how you can support the program, contact Coach Doug Reed at 504-1962, follow the blog, or follow the Twitter feed.
