PUERTO RICO NATIONAL TEAM GENERAL MANAGER

IPRB confirmed that Carlos Beltran has had conversations with several potential candidates for the National Team's, General Manager position. This group of people he has communicated with includes both current and former BSN team owners. Clearly, an existing owner of a BSN Team should not be the GM of the National Team. It's a major conflict and should not be allowed. I find it interesting that the last several GM's were clearly not "personnel guys" who could develop and work with players. Players did not respect Rivera or Diaz and that is a must if you are going to have a GM that is more than just a figurehead. Both Diaz and Rivera are decent people and clearly love the game but neither of them are the right age or have the right background to be successful as a GM in today's game. Things have changed drastically in basketball over the last 10 years and Beltran has a very difficult decision to make as he recommends someone to the FBPUR Board.

The GM's position is to run the team and act as a intermediate between the coach, players and senior management. Their focus must be on putting a team on the floor with one vision and goal and that is to win. Lets also add the fact that no player should be compensated for playing on the National Team. All players must abide by the same rules and receive the same "perks" or else it is not a team but a collection of All Stars. History has taught us that a solid team beats a collection of All Stars 9 out of 10 times.

There is clearly a candidate available who can do the job and help make the necessary changes to bring PR back into the top 10 FIBA world rankings. His name is ...

Five Star Camp To Come To Puerto Rico?

IPRB has confirmed that a group of local coaches are working to close a deal with Five Star that would bring famed Five Star Basketball Camp to PR to conduct an Elite Academy. IPRB confirmed with a source close to the negotiations that Five Star, " is interested in coming to PR and offering an Elite Academy sometime next summer. We've spoken to some of the best players in PR and the demand for an Elite Academy is high. The real question is economically can this market support an offering like this given the cost associated with operating a world class Academy."

Many of PR's best young players have attended Five Star Camps stateside and with the interest of players to attend prep schools and college on the mainland the need for more exposure is critical.

Butch Lee Point Guard Academy

IPRB confirmed that former NBA Champion and Rucker Park Legend, Butch Lee, has started the 2nd Annual Butch Lee PG Academy. Butch has a track record of being a fantastic teacher and someone I would want my son to learn from. Lee possessed all the skills you want a player his Academy should really help develop the elite talent in Puerto Rico. IPRB confirmed that Gary Browne Ramirez is going to be working with Lee along with some of the other talented PG prospects from PR Playmakers.

PR Playmakers founder Todd Washington told IPRB today that," We are trying had to get Butch to work with some of our top kids and have asked that he consider coaching one of our elite travel teams. Not only is Butch a fantastic coach and former NBA Champion, he is an even better person. We would be honored to get Butch involved in our program and look forward to making that a reality. PR Playmakers is in the business of working with the best and clearly Butch is at the top of the list when talking about talented and experienced coaches who can help young kids develop."

Moreno To Attend TAAG Academy

Class of 2011 Small Forward Roy Moreno has decided to transfer to TAAG Academy in Tampa Florida for his senior year. IPRB confirmed last week that Moreno and his parents are working to complete the paperwork and get him up to school in the coming week. IPRB has not spoken to officials at TAAG to confirm this but spoke to Moreno over the weekend. Moreno is a 6'3 forward who has solid skills and could be a solid mid major player provided he gets stronger and develops his dribble-drive game.

Stop Pointing Fingers!

IPRB is not in the business of pointing fingers or placing blame. That is always rule #1 in any team sport! Plain and simple, you just don't do it. Since PR's early departure in the FIBA 2010 World Championship all everyone seems to be doing is pointing fingers and placing blame. It's disgusting and it needs to stop. While we are opinionated at IPRB and think there are some things from a basketball culture and rules standpoint that should be reviewed and possibly changed it is unfair to place blame on any individual. Rule #2, win as a team and lose as a team. When we win everyone gets credit and when we lose everyone takes the blame. Lets start getting back to the fundamentals and hold everyone accountable as a team. There is no "I" in team.

Betancourt Getting Major Looks at Montrose Christian

It's only been a couple of weeks since Class of 2011, PG Carmelo Betancourt left PR and started classes at Montrose yet his name is ringing from coast to coast. IPRB confirmed earlier today tons of coaches have been on campus including Hall of Fame Coach, Gary Williams from University of Maryland and Coach Tony Bennett from University of Virginia both ACC schools.
A source who has seen Melo's workouts confirmed that Melo has really impressed everyone who has seen him and seems to have convinced many that his size will not prevent him from playing for a top 20 program.

IPBB spoke to Carmelo tonight who said,"I'm really enjoying myself, this place is so professional! My classes are small so I have to work hard and the teachers are really helping me. I was a little nervous at first as I have never had to practice in front of coaches like this but I see now why it is so important to be in shape and work hard. I'm really glad I came here".