LEGGO WI PON DEM!!
Get ready to witness the birth of basketball legends as the highly-anticipated Jamaica U17 Training Camp takes center stage at GC Foster in Spanish Town, Jamaica, from July 12th to 16th, 2023. With the FIBA Centrobasket Championships in Belize City, Belize, just around the corner (July 25th to 30th), the stakes couldn't be higher for these talented young athletes. As they compete for a spot on the final 12-player roster, the excitement is palpable, and the anticipation is building.
The stage is set, and the excitement is palpable as Jamaica's finest young basketball talents gear up for the highly anticipated Jamaica U17 Training Camp. Held at GC Foster in Spanish Town, Jamaica, from July 12th to 16th, this camp serves as the final selection process to determine the 12 players who will represent Jamaica at the prestigious FIBA Centrobasket Championships in Belize City, Belize, from July 25th to 30th. The camp brings together an extraordinary group of 20 athletes, including both local Jamaican players and international stars of Jamaican descent. Get ready to witness history in the making as these young men embark on a journey that promises to shine a global spotlight on Jamaican basketball.
A Talent-Rich Roster:
The Jamaica U17 Training Camp roster is a testament to the remarkable basketball talent nurtured within the island. Thirteen local Jamaican players were handpicked from rigorous I.D. camps held in Montego Bay, Manchester, Kingston, and Spanish Town. Each athlete brings unique skills and attributes to the court, including D'Aire Patterson, Anthoine Daye, Richard Jr. Atkinson, Lebron Lewinson, Zachary Smith, Joel Hamm, Ajani Walters, Malik Edwards, Jonathan Beckford, Christian Andorn, Nathan Ricketts, Thyah Irving, and Shaquayne Elliott. These exceptional players have proven their worth and earned their place in the training camp through sheer dedication and hard work.
The P.H.A.S.E. 1 Academy Connection:
To ensure these local players received the best preparation possible, P.H.A.S.E. 1 Academy stepped in to provide extensive training opportunities. The players were given the first opportunity to prepare for the training camp by participating in regional training cohorts during the week and training at the P.H.A.S.E. 1 Academy's National Training Center on weekends. But the preparation didn't stop there. In an unprecedented move, the local cohorts travelled with P.H.A.S.E. 1 Academy to the Marquee Hoops NCAA-sanctioned AAU tournament in Harrisburg, PA, from July 4th to 10th, 2023. Led by the experienced trio of P.H.A.S.E. 1 Academy CEO and Technical Director, along with Head Coach of the Jamaica U17 National Team, and P.H.A.S.E. 1 Academy Jamaica Director and Jamaica U17 National Team Assistant Coaches, Dave Black and Phil Edwards, these players received valuable exposure and international experience. The journey to the AAU tournament served as a stepping stone toward their ultimate goal of representing Jamaica at the Centrobasket Championships.
The International Flair:
Adding to the excitement, seven international players of Jamaican descent have been selected to be part of the training camp. These talented athletes have gone the extra mile to acquire Jamaican passports, making them eligible for sanctioned FIBA competitions. Among them are Marcus McDonald and Triston McDonald, returning players from the 2021 Centrobasket Jamaica Team, hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, and Atlanta, Georgia, respectively. Joining them from New York City are Marcel Henry and Ahmad Torrence, both possessing impressive skill sets. The United Kingdom is also represented by the talented McCalla brothers, Kyro and Nyles, bringing their passion and prowess to the camp.
A Journey of Promise:
As these 20 exceptional athletes come together at the Jamaica U17 Training Camp, the air is charged with anticipation. The final selection of the 12 players who will represent Jamaica at the Centrobasket Championships will not only mark a significant achievement for each player but also ignite a new era in Jamaican basketball. The collective talent, passion, and dedication of these young men are bound to make a lasting impact, both on the court and within their communities.
Supporting the Dream:
We invite you to join us on this exciting journey as we witness the rise of Jamaican basketball on the global stage. To support these talented athletes and help make their dreams a reality, we appeal for your generous contributions.
Stay tuned as these young men shine a light on Jamaican basketball for the whole world to see. Together, let's support their journey, celebrate their achievements, and embrace the limitless potential of Jamaican basketball.