Jamaica Comes to the Bronx: Free Rising Stars ID Session for Youth Players of Jamaican Descent
Updated: 2 hours ago
Rising Stars Diaspora Tour Brings Free Basketball ID Session to the Bronx
Youth players of Jamaican descent, ages 11–17, will be measured, evaluated and considered for the January 2027 Diaspora Rankings
BRONX, N.Y. — September 2026 — Rising Stars, the youth basketball camp series of P.H.A.S.E.1 Academy Jamaica, is bringing its first Diaspora Tour event to New York City. The ID session, showcase and evaluation day for boys and girls ages 11–17 of Jamaican descent takes place Sunday, October 11, from 8 AM to 3 PM at Evander Childs Campus, 800 East Gun Hill Road, Bronx, NY 10467. The event is held in the Bronx, and players from throughout the New York City metropolitan area are invited.
The event is sponsored by Evander Childs Campus Basketball, which is providing the local home and gym access for the day.
Players will be measured, tested and evaluated in drills and showcase games. Evaluations will be carried out by Elite1 Recruiting, the scouting and rankings arm of P.H.A.S.E.1. Every participant will be considered for the January 2027 Diaspora Rankings, part of Elite1's Jamaican Global Prospect Rankings, which track Jamaican-connected players in Jamaica and around the world.
Why the Bronx
Jamaican basketball talent isn't only on the island. Players with Jamaican roots are developing in New York, Toronto, Miami, London and beyond, often out of sight of the programs that could help them grow. The Diaspora Tour exists to find those players, document their development, and connect them to academy programs, travel teams and wider competitive opportunities. The Bronx, home to one of the largest Jamaican communities outside the island, is the natural first stop, and the invitation extends to players across the New York City metropolitan area. A player needs only one Jamaican parent or grandparent to take part, and players from mixed families are welcome.
"Different cities, same roots," said Wayne Dawkins, Global Director of P.H.A.S.E.1 Academy. "There are young players throughout the New York City metropolitan area with a Jamaican parent or grandparent who have never had anyone from home come see them play. The Diaspora Tour is us coming to them, so every player can be measured, be seen, and be considered for a real pathway into Jamaican basketball. Talent knows no borders, and neither should opportunity."
A homecoming at Evander Childs
The event returns to the gym where Romaine Thomas, Jamaica Men's National Team player, professional basketball player and Evander Childs Campus alumnus, got his start. He will appear as a special guest.
"Evander Childs is where my journey started, so coming back here means a lot," said Thomas. "When I was coming up, I didn't know there was a path to represent Jamaica. Now there is one, and it starts with showing up, working hard and being seen. I want every young player throughout the New York City metropolitan area with a Jamaican parent or grandparent to know that path is open to them too."
How to register
Registration is required for all players. A parent or guardian must register players under 18 at phase1academy.com/diaspora-tour-bronx.
Players and spectators 17 and under are free with a student ID. Adult spectators pay $5 at the door. Showcase spots are first come, first served, so families are encouraged to register early.
Local event questions: David Fonfa, Local Event Coordinator — Text only: (646) 489-2280.
Event details
What | Rising Stars Diaspora Tour: ID session, showcase and evaluations |
Who | Boys and girls ages 11–17 with a Jamaican parent or grandparent, from throughout the New York City metropolitan area |
When | Sunday, October 11, 2026, 8 AM–3 PM |
Where | Evander Childs Campus, 800 East Gun Hill Road, Bronx, NY 10467 |
Cost | Free for players and spectators 17 and under with student ID · Adult spectators $5 at the door |
Showcase | First come, first served |
Rankings | Participants considered for the January 2027 Diaspora Rankings |
Sponsor | Evander Childs Campus Basketball |
Register |
About Rising Stars
Rising Stars is P.H.A.S.E.1 Academy's camp series, held during every Jamaican school break. It gives players outside the academy an entry point to be trained, measured, tested and ranked, with a permanent profile that each camp adds to.
About P.H.A.S.E.1 Academy
P.H.A.S.E.1 Academy is a youth basketball development program headquartered in Jamaica. It runs player development, travel teams, international competition and exposure pathways for Jamaican and Jamaican-heritage athletes.
About Elite1 Recruiting
Elite1 Recruiting is a scouting, evaluation and recruiting platform that identifies Caribbean basketball talent wherever it develops, starting with Jamaica. Its rankings are independent scouting evaluations and do not determine national-team eligibility.
Media contact
Wayne Dawkins, Global Director, P.H.A.S.E.1 Academy 480-235-9954 · info@phase1academy.com
David Fonfa, Local Event Coordinator — Text only: (646) 489-2280
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