Puerto Rico doesn't need to make any excuses given it's rich basketball history.
Butch Lee, Georgie Torres, Fantauzzi ,Raymond Dalmau, Piculin, Jerome Mince and Eddie Casiano are recognized around the world as the "Original Puerto Rico Playmakers". Puerto Rico has had some really talented and accomplished coaches like Flor Melendez and Julio Toro who are legendary in this part of the world! History will show that many of the names above and many that were not mentioned paved the way and put PR on the basketball map! As a student of the game and a self proclaimed "basketball junkie" I appreciate the need to study the past and learn from it but also appreciate the importance of leaving the past in the past! Those who spend to much time in the past tend to get lost and many times miss out on what is happening in the present. This seems to be happening within the basketball community in Puerto Rico.
So instead of focusing on what is in the "rearview", lets begin to ask some critical questions like,
What are we doing to help develop elite players in Puerto Rico?
Why are we not identifying, developing and nurturing elite players through a year round National Development Program?
Why are our most talented prospects playing on teams and in leagues where there are playing time restrictions and games are played on concrete?
Why are we not teaching our elite prospects how to play defense? We have kids on our 12U and 13U National Teams who have yet to be taught "ball/man", "help/recover" and many other basic defensive principles.
How can we expect to compete with the rest of the world when we are doing the same stuff we did 5,10, 15 years ago?
Where are the elite clinics, camps, showcase games and events that will attract top talent to PR?
Why are we playing Small Fry and YBOA and not AAU and EYBL?
I could go on and on and on but lets start here. The time for change has come and the problem is those who control basketball are reluctant to rock the boat! Introducing a National Elite Youth Development Program which works with our most talented prospects year round is step one. Little Lads and ACB are wonderful leagues which offer the masses a platform to learn and play recreationally but neither were created to develop elite players!
They are businesses whose mission is to make money versus nurturing and developing elite players. The sooner we recognize that the existing "club model" is flawed and a new model which should mirror what Canada, China and the USA have recently implemented is the right way forward to reclaiming our position atop the FIBA Rankings!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
PRP Elite Evaluation Combine and Scholarship Seminar
PR Playmakers "PRP", the leading grassroots basketball program in Puerto Rico has announced its intent to operate the first Elite Youth Evaluation Combine and Scholarship Seminar. The date of the event has not been announced but IPRB has confirmed that it will take place sometime in June.
PRP Founder, Todd Washington said in an interview with IPRB early today,"There are so players interested in attending school in the states but most of them do not understand how to go about getting it done. PRP will act as a bridge and expose players to prep schools, junior colleges and 4 year colleges and universities. We have a track record of helping some of the elite players obtain opportunities at all of these levels.
The recent trend similar to what has gone on mainland for years is for rising 12th graders to spend a year at an elite school preparing both on and off the court. Washington thinks that parents should consider getting allowing their kids to spend more than one year at a school.
"We tell parents all the time that they should not wait until their son is in 12th grade to consider prep school. Actually we think getting a student athlete into a situation in the 9th adn 10th grade allows the student a chance to spend 2-3 years at a school and benefit from the relationships that are built over that time. We are seeing too many kids bounce around from school to school and while that may work for some most of the kids we think spending two or three years at a school allows for growth both on and off the court.
Washington also stressed that parents need to do more off the court in preparing kids to qualify. He said that most parents are not familiar with the NCAA Clearinghouse requirements nor are they focused on preparing their sons to take the SAT.
"The purpose of the Combine and Scholarship Seminar is to identify platers who have the ability to play at the next level and educate parents on what they need to do to off the court and in the classroom to prepare their son so that if and when an opportunity presents itself, they are ready and able. We are working with a couple of kids who are mid major Division 1 prospects who have yet to take the SAT. It's a shame as so many kids are missing out on a free education because they spending to much time playing and not enough time preparing!"
Washington went on the say, 'We do not promise a family we are going to get their son a scholarship. That is the first thing we tell them when we have the initial "Introduction To The Program Meeting". We have been incredibly successful in helping players obtain opportunities but we cannot and will not make that promise. What we can do is open the door and ensure that coaches know about the player and his abilities both on the court and in the classroom.
The question is not if there are school out there looking rather can we offer them what they are looking for. I'm convinced that we can get anywhere from 50-75 kids per year into unique situations in the states. Its not a question of talent but creating a structure which can be used as a bridge."
PRP Founder, Todd Washington said in an interview with IPRB early today,"There are so players interested in attending school in the states but most of them do not understand how to go about getting it done. PRP will act as a bridge and expose players to prep schools, junior colleges and 4 year colleges and universities. We have a track record of helping some of the elite players obtain opportunities at all of these levels.
The recent trend similar to what has gone on mainland for years is for rising 12th graders to spend a year at an elite school preparing both on and off the court. Washington thinks that parents should consider getting allowing their kids to spend more than one year at a school.
"We tell parents all the time that they should not wait until their son is in 12th grade to consider prep school. Actually we think getting a student athlete into a situation in the 9th adn 10th grade allows the student a chance to spend 2-3 years at a school and benefit from the relationships that are built over that time. We are seeing too many kids bounce around from school to school and while that may work for some most of the kids we think spending two or three years at a school allows for growth both on and off the court.
Washington also stressed that parents need to do more off the court in preparing kids to qualify. He said that most parents are not familiar with the NCAA Clearinghouse requirements nor are they focused on preparing their sons to take the SAT.
"The purpose of the Combine and Scholarship Seminar is to identify platers who have the ability to play at the next level and educate parents on what they need to do to off the court and in the classroom to prepare their son so that if and when an opportunity presents itself, they are ready and able. We are working with a couple of kids who are mid major Division 1 prospects who have yet to take the SAT. It's a shame as so many kids are missing out on a free education because they spending to much time playing and not enough time preparing!"
Washington went on the say, 'We do not promise a family we are going to get their son a scholarship. That is the first thing we tell them when we have the initial "Introduction To The Program Meeting". We have been incredibly successful in helping players obtain opportunities but we cannot and will not make that promise. What we can do is open the door and ensure that coaches know about the player and his abilities both on the court and in the classroom.
The question is not if there are school out there looking rather can we offer them what they are looking for. I'm convinced that we can get anywhere from 50-75 kids per year into unique situations in the states. Its not a question of talent but creating a structure which can be used as a bridge."
High School Scholarships vs Financial Aid
Lots of people here in Puerto Rico that we have spoken to or overheard discussions about how their son can get a scholarship to an elite private, catholic or prep school are confused. To start elite high school basketball programs do not give scholarships like they do in college. Opportunities to attend a school can be based on academic performance coupled with athletic ability. The amount of money a school rewards a family is based on need. Schools typically have a financial aid office or coordinator who requires parents to fill out a financial aid form.
Each school has a certain amount of money per year which can be used to offer "financial aid based on need".
While there are schools which offer scholarships for academic performance most elite high school programs use the financial aid as a means to cover the cost of tuition, room and board.
Each school has a certain amount of money per year which can be used to offer "financial aid based on need".
While there are schools which offer scholarships for academic performance most elite high school programs use the financial aid as a means to cover the cost of tuition, room and board.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Browne, Anglero and Moreno Looking At Prep School
St Francis Class of 2011 SG, Gary Browne Ramirez and Forward Roy Moreno along with Adianez Class of 2011 SG, Gaby Anglero are all looking at attending their final year of high school in the USA.
Browne, is scheduled to visit St Benedicts next week along with Adianez SG, Gaby Anglero next week and Roy Moreno has also reached out to PR Playmakers for assistance in going to Prep School next year.
A source close to all three players confirmed yesterday for IPRB that,"all three of these guys have a chance to play ball in college but going none of them are really ready either on or off the court. They play for the best schools in PR and the coaches at both of those schools are world class guys but the fact of the matter is that very little is being done off the court to prepare them to qualify."
All three of the student athletes have incredible upside and could all be on campus in the states next semester.
Browne, is scheduled to visit St Benedicts next week along with Adianez SG, Gaby Anglero next week and Roy Moreno has also reached out to PR Playmakers for assistance in going to Prep School next year.
A source close to all three players confirmed yesterday for IPRB that,"all three of these guys have a chance to play ball in college but going none of them are really ready either on or off the court. They play for the best schools in PR and the coaches at both of those schools are world class guys but the fact of the matter is that very little is being done off the court to prepare them to qualify."
All three of the student athletes have incredible upside and could all be on campus in the states next semester.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Betancourt Visits Montrose
Carmelo Betancourt is in route to DC to visit Montrose Christian School and take the entrance exam. The PG from Adianez School in Puerto Rico seem to be serious about attending school in the USA. Sources close to the situatuon told IPRB, " At first he wasn't really sure he wanted to leave his friends and move from PR but after going to NYC, playing at the Jordan Classic and seeing what the elite level looked it, he knew he needed to atleast go visit a couple of schools".
Monday, May 17, 2010
Lebron's Mom and Delonte West
Is Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James' mother, Gloria James, sleeping with his teammate and friend Delonte West? Reportedly this is the reason behind the lackluster play, which he has been heavily criticized for, that ended Cleveland's chance to beat the Boston Celtics.
When the two teams faced in NBA Easter Conference simi-finals, everyone thought that the Cavs would take the series after it was tied 2-2. LeBron James had probably the worst playoff game in his career in Game 5, even commentators said that he seemed detached and not himself, and his team was eliminated in Game 6. It was reported that it was before Game 5 that he found out about the relationship between his teammate and his mother. Everyone is already wondering where the soon-to-be free agent will be playing basketball next year. Because of the rumors, people are beginning to say that he won't remain in Cleveland and will play for the New York Knicks next season. Nothing has been confirmed yet, and no party involved has commented on the rumored relationship but it is rapidly spreading across the internet.
When the two teams faced in NBA Easter Conference simi-finals, everyone thought that the Cavs would take the series after it was tied 2-2. LeBron James had probably the worst playoff game in his career in Game 5, even commentators said that he seemed detached and not himself, and his team was eliminated in Game 6. It was reported that it was before Game 5 that he found out about the relationship between his teammate and his mother. Everyone is already wondering where the soon-to-be free agent will be playing basketball next year. Because of the rumors, people are beginning to say that he won't remain in Cleveland and will play for the New York Knicks next season. Nothing has been confirmed yet, and no party involved has commented on the rumored relationship but it is rapidly spreading across the internet.
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