U21 Girls Rising Stars Christmas Camp Recap: Setting the Standard

From January 1–4, 2026, the P.H.A.S.E. 1 Rising Stars Christmas Camp marked a historic milestone as the first co-ed Rising Stars camp, with girls ages 13–21 stepping confidently into a high-performance development environment at Munro College.

This camp was more than participation — it was representation, competition, and leadership. The girls didn’t just belong; they set the tone.

A Historic First for Rising Stars

For the first time, Rising Stars welcomed boys and girls into the same elite training and competitive environment, challenging every athlete to rise to the standard of the game.

Throughout the four days, the girls consistently:

• Competed at a high level

• Matched and exceeded the physical and mental demands of camp

• Demonstrated strong basketball IQ, effort, and professionalism

This co-ed setting elevated the overall camp experience and reinforced the Rising Stars belief that development has no gender limits.

Development & Competition

Athletes were immersed in the Rising Stars development model, emphasizing:

• Spacing, Angles, and Timing (S.A.T.)

• Read & React decision-making

• Pace and control

• Defensive responsibility

• Competitive habits and coachability

The girls applied these concepts through:

• Skill development sessions

• Athlete development and conditioning

• Team concepts and live game play

• Tournament competition used for evaluation and growth

Each day brought visible improvement, confidence, and cohesion among the group.

Leadership That Set the Bar

The presence of Carissa Robinson, a Jamaica Women’s National Team player, elevated the environment from the start. Her approach to training, preparation, and competition set a clear example of what it means to represent Jamaica at the highest level.

Her leadership had an impact not only on the girls, but across the entire camp.

U21 Girls Camp Awards

At the conclusion of camp, several athletes were recognized for their performance, growth, and character:

🏆 Camp MVP Carissa Robinson – Dominated both ends of the floor, competed with intensity, and set the standard for excellence and leadership throughout camp.

🛡️ Top Defender Karsia Beezer – Consistently impacted games on the defensive end with effort, awareness, and toughness.

🤝 Sportsmanship Award Kimani Solomon – Demonstrated respect, positivity, and leadership on and off the court.

📈 Most Improved Player Sarafina Reid – Showed remarkable growth over the four days, responding to coaching and elevating her level of play.

🌟 Top Prospect Akilah James – Displayed high-level potential, strong instincts, and readiness for the next stage of development.

Each award reflected not just performance, but habits, attitude, and commitment to growth.

Looking Forward

The U21 Girls Rising Stars Christmas Camp proved that when given the right structure, competition, and opportunity, young women will rise — and lead.

This historic first co-ed camp laid the foundation for:

• Expanded girls programming

• Increased exposure and development pathways

• Continued growth of women’s basketball within the Rising Stars system

Rising Stars remains committed to building environments where all athletes can develop, compete, and represent Jamaica with pride.

P.H.A.S.E. 1 Rising StarsDeveloping the game. Empowering the next generation.