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HEIGHT: 6' 0"
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Player Description
Played high school basketball in Staten Island. He was first team all islands and went to sunny Delhi after high school even though I was in the New York top 50 unsigned players because he never had the grades. After two years at Delhi Junior College basketball. I had Jacksonville State and Charleston Southern interest but still did not have the grades so he has been striving to get back on the scene even coaching at Rise Academy for over 6 months without pay! His amazing hunger and perseverance is his X factor!
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HEIGHT: 6' 0"
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Player Description
Kwan is a combo guard from Kentucky Wesleyan with electrifying speed and athleticism. His X factor is his determination to play high-level professional basketball. Kwan has a whatever it takes mentality. He has the ability to slash hard to the basket while hitting the open jump shot. Kwan is considered undiscovered talent that will explode on the professional scene this year with the right amount of hard work and determination!
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HEIGHT: 6' 4"
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Player Description
Percell Coles has pure jump shot with an electrifying work ethic as his X factor. He has good strength and speed for a shooting guard. Lebron James quoted “ Percell is a great scorer and defender that can create shots for himself and others.” He has a great feel for the game and plays the game with a high level of intensity! In 2011 he played in Venezulea and averaged 21.5pg 4 assistsand 4 rebounds. The year before Percell played in Chile where he averaged 35pg 8 assists and 5 rebounds. In 2009-2010 he averaged 35pts 7ast 8 rebounds in Mexico. In 2007-2008 he averaged 17pts and 4 assists. Other pro league that Percell has played in is the ABA where he averaged 38.9pts, 5.3 assists. He also played in Switzerland and averaged 24points and 3 assists. His talent and work ethic earned him a try out with the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and Cleveland Cavaliers where he made it to the last cut. SMAA believes with its elite training they can guide Percell to achieving his dream of making the NBA.
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HEIGHT: 6' 3"
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Player Description
Damon Brown is an extremely athletic point with lightning quickness and a pure jump shot. He can score in any type of situation, lighting it up from anywhere on the floor and is very efficient. His desire to get better everyday is his X Factor. He has good size for the point guard position at 6’3…His explosive first step allows him to break down defenders and his athleticism allows him to get to the rim and finish with either hand or sometimes even a dunk… He gets to the free-throw line about five times per contest, which shows why he is a great free throw shooter… His excellent ball handling ability allows him to get anywhere on the floor at will... along with his passing ability enables him to find teammates in the tightest of spaces. He has outstanding body control and knows how to get teammates involved. With shooting range to about 27 feet (possibly even further) Brown is a threat from anywhere on the floor. He is very lethal in fast break situations. Brown also thrives in the clutch, hardly ever losing his composure. Brown seems to always stay calm even when facing adversity. He lives for the big moments and last second shots. Brown has an incredible work ethic and is seen to be a “Gym Rat”. He is an excellent mix between scorer and distributor and with increased strength the sky is the limit.
POSITION: Power Forward
HIGH SCHOOL:
COLLEGE / UNIVERSITY: Arkansas-Fort Smith, Robert Morris (Ill.) University
HEIGHT: 6' 11"
WEIGHT: 240 lbs
Player Description
About Ferguson, a native of Baton Rouge, La., played his high school ball at Reserve Christian before going on to Arkansas-Fort Smith junior college (now a NCAA Division II program) from 2006-08. He played all 32 games his sophomore season for the Lions. From there, he went on to NAIA Robert Morris (Ill.) for one season (2009-10) where he helped lead the Eagles to a No. 1 ranking and a national semifinal appearance. He had 34 blocked shots during that season.
Over the past summer, Ferguson went out west to play for the Portland Chinooks of the International Basketball League where he averaged 10 points and a little over six rebounds a game. He also had four double-doubles. His X factor is his great work ethic and his dedication to the family.
Current coach Wayne Casey: "Lester is a very gifted player who runs well and rebound well under the post. He is very multidimensional. He will be one of the best gifted bigs in the league."
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HEIGHT: 7' 1"
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Player Description
A 7 foot big man that can do it all. He has a pure shooting touch from the outside that is rare for a man his size. He had NBA tryouts for the Dallas Mavericks. He has also played for many years on many overseas teams like specific countries such as Dubai and New Zealand. He college career was at Lafayette. Frank gives back to the community with the numerous daycares that he owns. His X factor is that he has great leadership skills with a tremendous attitude.
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HEIGHT: 6' 10"
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Player Description
Played at Del State through 2000-2001. He is a pure student of the game. He is a big man equipped with all of the fundamentals. Stewart is the ultimate team player and will do anything to help the team win. He sets great on and off the ball screens along with a deadly touch around the rim. He rebounds efficiently and has a high basketball IQ. Stewart's X factor is that he has a big upside with his relentless desire to get better.
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HEIGHT: 6' 2"
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Player Description
Played at Virginia State from 2004-2009 with a masters degree. His X factor is that he is a defensive stopper who will give any guard a tough matchup. He is a great decision maker with the ability to make guys around him better. He is looking to fulfill his life long dream that he shared with my late father of continuing his career overseas.
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HEIGHT: 6' 8"
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Player Description
Played a semester at CCP and averaged 15pts 12 rebounds and 4 assists. Played in the chosen league allstar game presented by sneaker villa and had 25pts against some of the top players in Philadelphia. Played one year of High School basketball at Sayre High in West Philadelphia averaging 14pts 10 rebounds 3 blocks and 5 assists. Highest points ever scored in high school basketball game are 25pts. He is a great defender who can guard big men and bigger guards. His X factor is his humble personality that makes him very coachable. Deione is tremendous in the pick and roll and runs the floor really well.
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HEIGHT: 6' 0"
WEIGHT:
Player Description
He is a dynamic point guard who can shoot and distribute the basketball at a high level. He led the public league in scoring at 31ppg and had career high 53 pts. He won the MVP in the East Coast Conference Championship game in 2010. Through his career at Bridgeport he averaged 11 points a game along with 4 assists and 4 rebounds. His X factor is his high basketball IQ with his desire to continue to improve his basketball skills.
TOP 10 TIPS
– Footwork is essential to a player creating space in the triple threat position. A player should only dribble if the dribble has a specific purpose!
– Imperative to work on lay-ups on a daily basis in order to improve hand quickness, explosiveness to the basket and the ability to finish consistently around the basket with both hands!!
– Maintaining a strong stance will make you more explosive.
– Always run the floor hard and stay in your stance throughout the game. During competitive play it is important to apply the skills that are being practiced during drill sessions.
– Starting in close and developing your form and stance is key factors in improving your shooting.
– Also your shot will improve based on having enough repetitions and shooting with the right form!!
– Conditioning is an essential element in becoming a better basketball player.
– Watch yourself do drills on film to help yourself correct bad habits.
– Also watch your competitive game play to improve your basketball IQ.
– Protein shake after lifting weights or playing basketball is a good way to put on lean and good weight.
SMAA Training sessions consist of the following:
A balanced workout routine
- Drills
- Conditioning
- Plyometrics
- Weight Lifting
- Competitive Play
- Film Study
- Nutrition
Basketball Fundamentals
- "Mastery of Fundamentals"
- Triple threat position/moves
- Jab step
- Pivot ( pivot) (front pivot) (reverse pivot)
- Pat down
- Footwork
- Ball Positioning
- Shooting
- Changing speed
- Create space
- Moving without the ball
- Stance
- Change direction
- Footwork
- Dribbling
- Timing
- Balance
- Film study
Ball Handling
- Dribble Moves
In and Out
Crossover
Step back
Step Slide
Stop & Go
Spin
Stutter Step
Between the legs
Behind the back
Double crossover
Combo moves
(Speed Dribble)
Keys to dribbling
- Changing Speed
- Changing Direction
- Seeing the Court (and all players)
- Good Footwork (strong stance)
- Feeling the defender
- Reading the Defender
- Dribbling with Purpose
- Ready to react
- Versatility (able to use both hands)
- Attention Span
- Hand–Eye Coordination
- Hand and Arm (speed and strength)
- Stay low (height of bounce is key)
- Change direction
- Body Usage (to protect the ball from the defense)
Shooting Fundamentals
- Ball in the pocket
- Elbow in
- Lock your elbow
- Extend and hold your follow thru
- Hands ready to catch and shoot
- Solid stance
- Always on balance
Creating Space
- Footwork (ex. dip -n- turn ) ( ex. step back ) (ex: jab step) (ex. Pivot)
Change Speed (while pivoting) ( while dribbling )
Change Direction (while pivoting) (while dribbling)
Ball Fake (dribble fake - pass fake - shot fake)
Initiate / Accept Contact (body to body)
Be Unpredictable (mix - n - match all of the above)
Dribbling Stance
- Having a strong stance is imperative to strength and balance
- Wide feet=balance
- On Toes= ready to react
Lay-ups
- Long and explosive dribble to the basket
- Full extension at the basket!
- Arm extended with basketball high off the glass
- Body-to-Body contact holding the defender off with your body
- High jump at the basket!
Conditioning / Plyometrics
- Running miles
Running hills
Running stairs
Speed ladders
Box jumps
Wind sprints
Step-ups
Squat jumps
Lunges
Bounders
High knees
Defensive slides
Jump rope
Competitive Play
- Timing
- Spacing
- Location
- Change Speed
- Change Direction
- Hands Up
- See Ball
- Screen / Cut
- Read the defense
- Footwork is key
Nutrition
- Good Protein
Baked chicken
Fish
Turkey Burgers
- Good Vitamins
Fresh salad
Fresh broccoli
Asparagus Spinach
- Good Carbohydrates
Wheat pasta
Brown rice
Sweet potatoes
Almonds
Bananas
- Good deserts
Green apple
Kiwi
Grapes
Rip Through Position
- Get low and rip through strong
- Helps gain momentum towards the basket!!