AFTER a successful run in Malaysia and Singapore, the Asean Top Baller camp now heads to the Philippines this week to continue its search for top youth players who will be invited to a training camp in the United States.
Asean Top Baller co-founder Andri Khusahry said the camp will be staged for the first time in Manila on March 25 to 26 to provide an intensive introduction to mental and physical preparation for Under-18 players as well as the training needed for collegiate and professional level competitions in the United States.
Khusahry said their Kuala Lumpur-based program has partnered with Global Squad, a top-level, US-based basketball training organization which aims to give young players an opportunity to play at the highest level and attaining scholarships to top US universities.
“We have a partnership with Global Squad, which has helped more than 100 youth athletes get scholarships from US universities,” said Khusahry.
Khusahry said the top players in the camp will be invited to attend the Global Squad camp in Pennsylvania this June.
Last year’s Global Squad hosted 110 kids from 20 countries including 14-year-old Jonas Lim of Kuala Lumpur, who was selected in the inaugural iM4U Top Baller award and attended the month-long camp.
“Having the Asean Top Baller camp gives kids a chance not only to train like the best but play with and against some of the best in Manila. Besides the opportunity to be scouted to train in the USA, this sort of exposure will inherently elevate the level of young Asean basketball players and eventually the game as a whole as well here in the region”, said Asean Top Baller co-founder Rezhan Majid.
Majid made it clear the camp doesn’t guarantee a US college scholarship, but only gives a chance to players in the Asean region.
“To say collegiate basketball is competitive in the USA is an understatement and success in it requires the utmost dedication and singularity in focus. On top of that you will need lady luck on your side as well. What we are trying to do is help give youth the tools they need to have a chance and hopefully a path to help get them there,” said Majid.
Global Squad founder John Alexander, who has a decade worth of experience in the NCAA, will attend the Manila leg of the camp as he will provide the players with first-hand insight on preparing for the highest level of basketball and how to catch the eye of talent scouts.
“The basketball culture and love for the game is unmatched in the Philippines. I can't wait to share the Global Squad training techniques and philosophies with players in Manila,” said Alexander.
Alexander will also have a coaches’ clinic along with a Q&A session.
The Asean Top Baller is partnering with Hoop Coaches international, Gameville, City Club and Belasco Unlimited Skills Academy for the Manila leg.