Building Leaders from Within: P.H.A.S.E. 1 Academy Jamaica Develops the Next Generation of Coaches

At P.H.A.S.E. 1 Academy Jamaica, our mission has always been bigger than wins and losses. From day one, our goal has been to develop youth basketball in Jamaica from the grassroots up creating a system where young athletes can grow not only as players, but eventually as leaders.

Today, that vision is becoming reality.

As part of our continued commitment to sustainable development, P.H.A.S.E. 1 Academy has hired and trained a new wave of young coaches and skills trainers to work with the next generation of Jamaican talent. What makes this group special is not just their passion but their journey.

Among this crop of rising leaders are:

• Romareo Millis

• Micah-Imani Swaine

• D’Aire Patterson

• Hubert Rodney

• Lebron Lewinson

• Joel Hamm

Each of these young men is a P.H.A.S.E. 1 Academy alumnus who has lived the full journey local training sessions, youth leagues, travel teams, international exposure events, and representing Jamaica as high school standouts and members of the Jamaican Junior National, 3x3, and National Teams.

They are still actively pursuing their own international scholarships and professional opportunities. But they understand something deeper: giving back is not just a job it is a responsibility.

There are no other local coaches or trainers in Jamaica who have grown up inside the Jamaican basketball system, competed at the national level, gained experience in the American youth basketball circuit as players, and are now transitioning into coaching. They represent a new model homegrown leaders with global exposure.

A Weekend of Firsts

This weekend marks another milestone.

Romareo Millis and Micah-Imani Swaine will make their international coaching debut as they travel with the P.H.A.S.E. 1 Academy U15 and U18 teams to compete at the Havoc Heartwood Classic in Miramar, Florida (February 21–23, 2026).

Both have been undergoing structured coaching development under the tutelage of veteran coaches Wayne Dawkins and Mike Kirlew, gradually taking over leadership responsibilities with their respective travel teams.

Meanwhile:

• D’Aire Patterson recently made his international coaching debut as a player-coach at the Miami City Classic (January 20–23, 2026).

• Lebron Lewinson, Joel Hamm, and Hubert Rodney have taken on primary skill development roles, working closely with athletes on fundamentals, conditioning, and basketball IQ.

This layered development model ensures continuity today’s players becoming tomorrow’s mentors.

Leadership the Right Way

For Global Director Wayne Dawkins, this moment is personal.

• “This is exactly what we hoped for when we started P.H.A.S.E. 1 in Jamaica. We didn’t just want to develop players—we wanted to develop leaders who would come back and build the next generation. Seeing these young men step into coaching roles is one of my proudest moments.”

Players are already feeling the impact.

One U15 athlete shared:

• “Coach Romareo understands us because he was us. He knows what it takes to make it to the next level because he’s still chasing it himself.”

Another player added:

• “When Coach Micah talks about discipline, it’s real. He lived this program.”

A Sustainable Basketball Movement

This is how a movement becomes sustainable.

When alumni return not because they have to, but because they believe in the mission the culture strengthens. The pathway becomes clearer. Young players can now see a full circle: athlete, national representative, international exposure, and eventually leadership.

P.H.A.S.E. 1 Academy Jamaica is not just producing talent.

We are producing teachers, mentors, and culture carriers.

The future of Jamaican basketball will not depend solely on imported knowledge. It will be built by those who understand both the local landscape and the international standard.

And that future is already here.