By Brent Stubbs

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

#Regarded as one of the top young female basketball players in the country, Valicia Demeritte is holding court as a small forward for the Coker University Cobras in Hartsville, South Carolina.

#The 20-year-old former player for the Kingsway Academy Saints left the Bahamas in grade nine in 2015 to enroll at the Potters House Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Florida, where she played for the Lion’s basketball, volleyball and track teams, earning the most improved player award and was a four-time SIAA State champion.

#After graduating in 2018, she went on to play basketball the past two seasons for the Blue Wave at Florida State Junior College in Jacksonville where she made the Mid Florida All-Conference second team.

#Having transferred this year to Coker University, Demeritte is now preparing for her final two years of eligibility with the Cobras in what has been a totally different environment due to the coronavirus pandemic.

#“From JUCO to DII, it’s different. JUCO, you’re like a sophomore when you’re a freshman, so you have to work for everything,” Demeritte said. “In DII, you only have to keep it going for two years and get your degree.

#“It’s kind of tough, but JUCO has prepared me for this moment. I think if I didn’t go to JUCO, I would not have been prepared. I think JUCO has really prepared me.”

#Although things have changed since she began her junior year at Coker University with the pandemic reshaping the landscape of sports around the world, Demeritte said the Cobras’ coaching staff is getting them prepared for the 2020/21 season.

#“The plan is for us to play in our conference from November 1,” said Demeritte, as they continue their daily practices and exhibition games before the season opener. “We haven’t heard anything about any change in the plans yet.”

#Demeritte, however, noted that the atmosphere on campus is not what she anticipated and some of her team-mates, who are returning from last year, admitted that it’s not as fun filled this year with everybody occupying their open space. “Everybody can’t be in the same place at the same time, so we can’t really interact as much as we want to,” she pointed out. “Even when we come to practice, they have cut the team in half with only about seven players at a time.

#“So we don’t get to see all of our team-mates at the same time. It’s kind of weird. This is what we have to do to get over the coronavirus to get back to normalcy.”

#Despite all that is going on, the five-foot-nine-inch Demeritte still has an obligation to fill with the team.

#“On the court, my coach expects me to be the athletic player that she recruited,” said Demeritte of coach Hash. “She said she hopes that I can defend my position and rebound the ball.

#“She said she saw my tapes from JUCO and she believes that rebounding will be my strength and so she wants me to be the defender that she saw when I played.”

#The exercise science major said her personal goal is just to enjoy the process.

#“I came a long way from when I left Nassau, so I just want to enjoy the process and get better,” she stated. “I just want to play my role on the team, don’t do too much, just play my role and live in the moment and have some fun because in a minute, it’s going to be over.”

#As a junior national team player from 2012-2016 and senior national team member in 2018, Demeritte said her goal is to once again represent the Bahamas at the international level, but she also wants to go on and play professionally, preferably in Europe.

#“I want to play overseas professionally, but it’s whatever God plans for me. Whatever happens, happens, but my plan is to play overseas,” Demeritte said. “I just saw my team-mate Briontae Riley make it in France, so that has given me some motivation.

#“Briontae has been through a lot, but she’s a fighter. All the adversities and setbacks that she experienced, she’s motivation for me. Anything is possible. I can’t wait to see what happens for me in the future.”

#For those players who have not been given the exposure to play college or even get to the pro ranks, Demeritte encouraged them to continue to press on. “You’re not going to be the basketball player that you want to be overnight. It’s a process,” she said.

#“Enjoy the process and the more you enjoy it and work on your craft, you will enjoy it more when your time comes. “Just keep pushing and your time will come. You never know who is watching you.”

#As she goes through the process, Demeritte thanked God, her parents Valerie Demeritte-Watson and Andretti Demeritte and coaches Varel Davis, Deven Johnson, Randy Cunningham and the late Sherman Smith, as well as Simone Beneby, for getting her to where she is now.

#Coach Davis is the type of coach who always has my back,” said Demeritte, who played with Davis on the junior national team since she was in grade six until last year when she made the senior team.

#“Coach Deven was there for me too, but if I pick up the phone and call coach Davis to ask her about anything, she has always been there for me. She’s like family. She watched me grow up.”

#Aside from basketball, Demeritte said she’s learning a lot about herself living in a different culture and trying to stay rooted, not trying to change the things that she was taught as a Bahamian. So far, she’s handled her situation very well.

Thursday, July 9, 2020

Adam Johnson in action.

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#THE Raw Talent organisation continues to provide an alternative path for young Bahamian athletes to professional basketball.

#Adam Johnson is the latest addition to the programme and will join the For-Sur-Mer Provence Byers Academy in France.

#The 6’6 player will join the Byers NM3 team in the upcoming season. The former Jordan Prince William Falcon has spent the last few seasons playing in the New Providence Basketball Association while awaiting his opportunity to continue his career overseas. “Honestly I’m ecstatic, honestly didn’t think it was going to happen, but I’m happy it’s finally happening,” Johnson said. “Hopefully I can go out and show what I can do.”

#Former national team player and current member of Byers A-team in the French Pro B League, Jaraun “Kino” Burrows, began Raw Talent as a means of assisting developing players during the summer months.

#“The objective with Raw Talent started with my own personal workout sessions and I noticed a lot of the top prospects and student athletes abroad were having trouble in the summer coming home and getting in the gym and getting quality work. My gym time was sanctioned through the national team so I was just inviting these young players into the gym. A lot of the guys were going back to school but then there were also a lot of guys having trouble with the visas so I just decided to use my platform and my contacts in Europe for Bahamian kids, Caribbean kids to come to Europe to develop their skills and also for an education. The hope is just continue to use the platform to do what I can to create opportunities for young Bahamians.”

#Through Raw Talent, Burrows facilitated Dominick Bridgewater’s signing to the Byers Academy in March 2019.

#Bridgewater made history when he became the first Bahamian player to make the jump straight from high school to the professional basketball ranks when he signed a junior pro contract with the Byers.

#He spent his first season as a member of the club’s Epoirs (Junior League – U21). In 28 games, he averaged 15.7 points, 4.1 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game. He competed in the NM3 League last season and was recently placed on loan to Sapela Basket 13 of France’s Nationale Masculine 2 (NM2) League.

#Wilkenson “Kenny” Isnord also made the move to Europe in Europe through Raw Talent. The Abaco native joined the Get Better Academy (GBA) in Prague, Czech Republic as he looks to make his transition from the prep ranks.

#“Kino Burrows reached out to me and spoke about an opportunity in France at an academy, a place where the main focus would be on the development of my skills. I saw what he did with Dominick Bridgewater and all the success he achieved all in just a year so I trusted him and went with it,” Isnord said. “I went to France in September of 2019 with nothing and by God’s grace came back with a few options on the table. We chose the GBA in Prague, Czech Republic because it’s the best fitting situation for me, the development of my skills and the future of my career.”

#Burrows said the organisation continues to grow each year with more prospects in the pipeline.

#“Things are growing so quickly, the family is getting bigger year by year, now we’re not only in France, but we’re in the Czech Republic and now we have Adam coming over this year and there are some legit under-15 prospects in the pipeline that I think have NBA potential,” Burrows said. “Over the next five years I just want to continue my effort in development, in exposure and in mentorship. We know the level of talent, the world knows the talent level we have in The Bahamas and when we get the right development and coaching, the possibilities and opportunities are endless. I just want to do my part. I love home, come home every summer to scout fresh talent and to give back. We will keep growing through the principles that put Raw Talent on the map.”

#With even more attention drawn by the Bahamian players to the European market, Burrows said more initiatives need to be in place to develop the game at a younger level and to create more opportunities for young Bahamian players.

#“There needs to be more common goals among the youth coaches, night league coaches, so on and so forth. There needs to be better partnerships with other federations to create the best opportunities for Bahamian kids,” he said.

#“Basketball programmes that we used to have growing up like mini, super mini, The Bahamas Games and so much good basketball has been taken away. All of these help the growth of the game and that’s what we miss in development.”

By Brent Stubbs

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

#ALTHOUGH he’s still competing at a high level in France, professional basketball player Juraun “Kino” Burrows is doing his part to assist as many young players to realise their dreams of playing in Europe.

#Through his Raw Talent Group, which he formed in the summer of 2018, Burrows has been able to assist a number of players, including Dominick ‘Nado’ Bridgewater, Kenny Isnord, Adam Johnson and Briontae Riley to achieve their dreams.

#Bridgewater has been a part of the programme since its inception and is now playing in France with Burrows. Johnson joined both of them last month and Riley will be leaving on Friday.

#Isnord, on the other hand, signed a three-year deal to play in the Czech Republic last month.

#During his initial year, he also got a chance to work with collegiate players Kai Jones and Sammy Hunter. While Jones is in his freshman year with the Texas Longhorns, Hunter is preparing for his sophomore year with the Ole Miss Rebels.

#When he realised the difficulty some of the local players had getting them off to school, Burrows said he decided to invite them to train with him and the mentorship programme started.

#“Along with the training and the development, Raw Talent is also about facilitating opportunities for young men and women to broaden their horizons, while continuing their basketball abroad in Europe with the hopes of playing professionally at the highest level,” Burrows said.

#While he has been able to work specifically with the five players mentioned above, Burrows said he’s looking at avenues to continue to provide more opportunities for others to pursue their dreams.

#“This programme is all about relationships and partnerships, so I want to continue to do my part,” he said. “I want to work with youth coaches and high school coaches and night league coaches and eventually branch out into the Caribbean.

#“So while I’m continuing to play at a high level in Europe, I want to create contacts and partnerships and opportunities because it’s proven that with the right mentorship and partnership, our kids can excel.”

#For the past 12 years playing in Europe, Burrows said he’s always inspired when he comes home and the younger players reach out to him. That was one of the motivational factors in him getting the programme off the ground.

#“When you see the difficulties that they have in getting visas and other stuff to get off, it’s a process,” Burrows said. “I didn’t have that in my day. My grandmother would take me and the day you pick up your visa.

#“Now when these guys get their scholarships and for whatever reasons, financial or educational hardships, they are denied over and over, so to have this opportunity to go to Europe and still be able to dream about the possibility of getting into the NBA though the D-League.”

#Burrows said Bahamians should be excited because there are so many players who can get the opportunity to fulfil their dreams as he did over the past decade in six different countries.

#“I’ve had a lot of memorable occasions, including my MVP season in Sweden, which enabled me to enhance my résumé to get into the Pro League here in France where I am now showing my skills.”

#During his tenure in Europe, Burrows had the pleasure of playing against fellow Bahamian national team members Michael Carey and Zane Knowles, which he was successful in each match-up.

#But after a gruelling grind of playing for about 10 months a year, Burrows said it’s taking its toll on his body and every summer, he evaluates his future as a pro player.

#“I’ve done about 10 consecutive years playing on the senior national team and I’ve had the opportunity to watch as we evolve with more sponsorship coming from corporate Bahamas,” he stated.

#“With our performances over the last few years, I’ve enjoyed going into the Dominican Republic and berating them in front of their 10,000-plus fans and then coming home last year at Atlantis when we beat Mexico. We showed that we could perform on the stage like that.”

#With the direction that the Bahamas Basketball Federation, under president Mario Bowleg, is going, Burrows said he feels the country has the ability to qualify for the Olympic Games in the near future.

#As for his future aspirations after basketball, Burrows said he definitely wants to continue in the sport, working directly with his Raw Talent programme and if the opportunity arises to assist at the federation level, he will consider it.

#“Right now, I’m enjoying the ride and I’m focusing on the Raw Talent programme,” he said.

#“I just want to thank those persons who have helped to assist these young people over the last few years.

#“Some of my partners are the Bahamas Basketball Federation, Advanced Physio Therapy, MaxD and coach Jeffrey Henfield, who has been on the ground preparing all of the prospects on the ground before they come over to Europe and keeping an eye on the future prospects.”

#With a cohesive unit, Burrows said the Bahamas can produce a number of players who can and will continue to make the country proud of their achievements.

By Renaldo Dorsett

Monday, September 14, 2020

#DOMNICK Bridgewater is having an immediate impact in his progression to France’s Nationale Masculine 2 (NM2) League.

#Bridgewater finished with 10 points in his regular season debut to lead Sapela Basket 13 to an 87-72 win over La Ravoire Challes Basket.

#Bridgewater, a member of the For-Sur-Mer Provence Byers Club, was placed on loan to Sapela Basket 13 this offseason and his promotion to NM2 is the highest of his career thus far.

#In preseason matchups for Sapela against the Byers and St Valliers thus far, Bridgewater has seen substantial playing time at point guard. It has been a seamless transition to the professional level for the 20-year-old Bridgewater after standout seasons as a member of the Byers’ Epoirs (Junior League – U21) and NM3 League teams.

#“We are pleased to be able to official the loan of our young leader Bahamian, Domnick R Bridgewater,” the Byers said in the official announcement. “Domnick will be able to complete his training in NM2 under the orders of the former assistant of Giuitta Rémi, Alexandre Casimiri.”

#In March 2019, an 18-year-old Bridgewater made history when he became the first Bahamian player to make the jump straight from high school to the professional basketball ranks when he signed a junior pro contract with the Byers. He spent his first season as a member of the club’s Epoirs (Junior League – U21).

#In 28 games, he averaged 15.7 points, 4.1 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game.

#After a promising start to his second season in the U-21 ranks, he was made eligible to the A roster with a call up to participate in the LNB Pro B Leaders Cup. The team was eliminated in the semifinals to Nancy.

#At the time of his call up, Bridgewater dominated the NM3 league at 23.7 points and 7.5 assists per game.

f Thursday, November 14, 201

Dominick Bridgewater

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#DOMINICK Bridgewater continues to progress in the FOS Provence Basketball Byers Club.

#The 19-year-old point guard was called up to join the Byers’ Pro-A roster for the LNB Pro B Leaders Cup.

#Bridgewater has yet to appear with the club since the call-up, a 67-64 loss to Nantes. The Byers return to the floor on November 15 against Denain.

#Bridgewater made Bahamian basketball history last year by becoming the first player to make the jump straight from high school to the professional ranks.

#Then 18, he signed a junior pro contract with the Byers. He spent last season as a member of the club’s Epoirs (Junior League – U21). He made an immediate impact when he was named the MVP of a preseason tournament (18 points and 11 assists per game) hosted in Tain, France.

#In 28 games, Bridgewater averaged 15.7 points, 4.1 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game. “My first intention was to go D-I because that’s where I saw Buddy Hield and so many other guys play and after the US Embassy denied me, I thought it was hopeless, but this opportunity has been life-changing,” Bridgewater said.

#“The best part about living here is getting in the gym four times a day, working on my game, getting better, getting stronger and off the court meeting new people. Living in a different country, different atmosphere, eating different food, just being a part of the culture, it has changed me as a person off the court as well.”

#The Epoirs team also competes in the league consisting of all of the junior division of each team in the LNB French Pro A League.

#“My game changed so much the last few months because I feel like I’ve gotten better every day, working on the areas I need to all the time. Shooting, dribbling, learning how to pass, my vision has definitely gotten better and just thinking through the game more,” Bridgewater said.

#“Coming out of the junior league I had more freedom to do what I want on the court but at the next level I know I have to work even harder, be more efficient and learn from the people around me everyday.”

#Last summer, Bridgewater made his senior national team debut as a member of Team Bahamas that finished second among Group Phase A at the AmeriCup 2021 Pre-Qualifiers in Belize. The team concluded with a 2-1 record.

#At the junior national team level, Bridgewater was also a member of a pair of squads to represent the country. In 2016, he won MVP en route to leading the Bahamas to the gold medal of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation’s Under-16 Tournament when he averaged 18.2 points and 3.8 assists per game. He followed with an appearance at the Centrobasket Under-17 Championships where he averaged 24.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.

#He was also selected to represent the Bahamas at the Basketball Without Borders Americas Camp in 2017. Basketball Without Borders features the top 66 boys and girls from 16 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Monday, June 22, 2020

Dominick Bridgewater

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#DOMINICK Bridgewater continues to climb the pro basketball ladder in France and was promoted for the upcoming season.

#Bridgewater, a member of the For-Sur-Mer Provence Byers Club, was placed on loan to Sapela Basket 13 of France’s Nationale Masculine 2 (NM2) League.

#It has been a seamless transition to the professional level for the 20-year-old Bridgewater after standout seasons as a member of the Byers’ Epoirs (Junior League – U21) and NM3 League teams.

#Jaraun “Kino” Burrows, who also returns to the Byers next season, facilitated Bridgewater’s move to the French club through his “Raw Talent” organisation which trains Bahamian pro basketball prospects.

#“In the continuity of partnership with our friends at the Sapela Basket 13, we are pleased to be able to official the loan of our young leader Bahamian Dominick R Bridgewater,” the Byers said in the official announcement.

#“Arrived in 2018 at the Byers Academy as part of our collaboration with the association “Raw Talent” (led by Jaraun “Kino” Burrows) Dominick will be able to complete his training in NM2 under the orders of the former assistant of Giuitta Rémi, Alexandre Casimiri.”

#In March 2019, an 18-year-old Bridgewater made history when he became the first Bahamian player to make the jump straight from high school to the professional basketball ranks when he signed a Junior Pro contract with the Byers.

#He spent his first season as a member of the club’s Epoirs (Junior League – U21). In 28 games, he averaged 15.7 points, 4.1 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game.

#After a promising start to his second season in the U21 ranks, he was made eligible to the A roster with a call-up to participate in the LNB Pro B Leaders Cup. The team was eliminated in the semi-finals to Nancy.

#At the time of his call-up, Bridgewater dominated the NM3 league at 23.7 points and 7.5 assists per game.

#In February, Bridgewater also made the transition from a junior national team standout to a breakout performer on the senior national team. He came off the bench to lead The Bahamas to a 76-59 win over Mexico in the latest round of FIBA Americas Qualifiers.

#The youngest player on the roster, Bridgewater scored 15 off the bench to lead four Bahamians in double figures.

By Brent Stubbs

Monday, September 14, 2020

#IT has been a long and tedious journey with so many disappointments for Adam Johnson. But through Jaraun ‘Kino’ Burrows’ Raw Talent programme, Adam Johnson is now playing professional basketball in France.

#He has signed with Fos Provence Basket Club where he’s developing through their No.5 team, but according to Burrows, they anticipate that the 6-foot, 6-inch forward will get the chance to advance through the ranks very quickly.

#“He’s still young. It’s a development base and we expect big things out of Adam,” said Burrows, who plays out of the Fos Provence pro team. “He’s a high-flying, sharp-shooting defensive young prospect. I think the sky is the limit for him.

#“It’s exciting because when these kids get into these types of situations, they take off. So it’s good to open the opportunities for these young kids. I will continue to mentor and manage them and always preach character and making use of your opportunity. Hopefully, we can get scores of young people the same opportunity in years to come.”

#Looking back at his situation, Burrows said after Johnson was denied a college visa a few times to get into the United States, he’s happy that he could get him off. “He’s a very humble, but hungry individual,” Burrows said.

#“So we expect some big things from him.”

#The 21-year-old Johnson journeyed through high school in New Providence playing for the SC McPherson Sharks from 2010-2013, the CV Bethel Stingrays from 20-13-2015 and the Jordan Prince Williams Falcons from 2015-2017.

#As one of the most prolific scorers in the system, Johnson couldn’t get off to college to continue his career and eventually ended up playing with the JD Seafood Shockers and the Commonwealth Bank Giants in the New Providence Basketball Association.

#Two years ago, Johnson said he was approached by Burrows about joining his programme, which was geared towards assisting young players in the country to get to the professional level.

#One of the requirements was for him to play in the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s Summer of Thunder against the visiting college teams where they were able to assess his skills.

#That began the process that culminated with him going to France on August 8.

#“The journey definitely was a long one physically, emotionally and especially mentally,” Johnson said. “Being denied (a visa) five times did something to my confidence and having lost my role model, Peron Bain, was hard.

#“But training with Kino and playing this season with the Commonwealth Bank Giants helped me a lot with that, having national team members Furly (Michael Bain), D’Shon (Taylor) and Jackson (Jacob), along with our great coach Perry Thompson Jr, made me believe that I’m good enough to keep trying and someone will notice and that’s exactly what happened.”

#The son of Lena Darling said it was a promise he made to Bain not to give up, although he was preparing to enrol in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force when he got the call from Burrows that the deal was done.

#“I feel great. Finally all of the hard work is paying off,” Johnson said. “All the blood, sweat and tears that went into it wasn’t a waste of time. Now I just have to prove I deserve to be here.”

#The season started this past weekend for Johnson, but having to iron out one or two matters, he won’t officially start playing until this weekend.

#“My team is expecting me to bring my leadership skills to the table along with my offensive and defensive skill set,” Johnson noted. “The atmosphere here in France is amazing.

#“I can’t wait until things are back to normal to really experience what France has to offer. I’m adjusting great. I got some people here guiding me, making sure my transition goes as smooth as possible. And having Kino (Burrows) and (Domnick) Nardo (Bridgewater) here with me makes everything better.”

#Bridgewater, who got his break about two years ago with Burrows when he went to France to play in their developmental league just as Johnson is now doing, has just signed to play with their Fos Provence Basket pro team.

#However, because the team was so loaded, Burrows said Bridgewater was loaned to Sapela Basket to play in the N2, which is the 4th league in France as he continues to develop his game.

#Johnson publicly thanked Burrows, Jeffrey Henfield, Sherrone Johnson and Bain, along with his family and friends, for believing in him and ensuring that he stayed focused.

#But he said the journey has just begun.

#“I want to climb the ladder as quickly as God allows,” he said. “My aspirations still is the NBA (National Basketball Association).

#“I’m not aiming for anything less.

#To the local players who are still in the Bahamas, waiting on their dream to come true, Johnson offered this advice: “Just keep pushing. If you work hard enough and keep God in the mix, someone will notice what you’re doing and want to help.

#“That’s what the Raw Talent programme is all about. It’s about giving the kids nobody wants a chance to succeed.”

#No doubt, Johnson hopes to make the most of his opportunity in France.

Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm

By Renaldo Dorsett

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

#The Miami Marlins continue to solidify their position in the National League East standings with another win against the Philadelphia Phillies in the season finale between the two teams.

#Jazz Chisholm went 1-4 with one RBI on the afternoon.

#The Marlins won 6-2 over the Phillies at Marlins Stadium in Miami, Florida.

#With the Marlins trailing 1-0 in the second inning, a seven pitch at-bat against Vince Velasquez culminated in Chisholm’s game-tying RBI single.

#Chisholm fell behind 1-2 in the count with strikes from a knuckle curve. After a ball evened the count 2-2, Chisholm fouled off another knuckle curve to keep the at-bat alive.

#Velasquez delivered another ball on pitch six and on pitch seven, he threw the third knuckle curve of the at-bat which Chisholm drove to centrefield and scored Matt Joyce.

#The Marlins added two runs in the third and another in the fourth to go ahead 4-1.

#Chisholm struck out in two consecutive plate appearances and grounded out in the eighth inning. Miguel Rojas and Starling Marte each delivered solo home runs to give the Marlins their biggest lead of the game.

#Chisholm started the game in the field at shortstop but also saw time at secondbase after an injury to starter Isan Diaz. Brian Anderson came in at third, Rojas shifted to shortstop and Chisholm moved to secondbase.

#The Marlins won seven of 10 games against the Phillies this season and five of the current seven-game series.

#Chisholm is hitting .161 with five hits, six runs scored and three RBI since his MLB call-up.

#For the remainder of the season, the Marlins are scheduled to play everyday through September with a series against the Boston Red Sox, Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees.

#The 2020 MLB playoffs are less than two weeks away and the Marlins have sole possession of second place in the division (NL East) at 24-21 and the No.5 seed overall in the National League.

#The final four series of the season will feature games pivotal in the wild-card positioning and postseason seeding as teams jostle for playoff position in the new expanded format.

#The MLB playoffs will feature 16 teams for the first time in league history.

#According to ESPN, “The top two teams in each division, plus the two remaining teams with the best records in each league, will make up the eight-team fields in the American and National Leagues. The division winners will be the top three seeds in each league, with the second-place teams slotted as seeds four through six, and the remaining two qualifiers seeded No.7 and No.8.”

Thursday, September 20, 2018

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#THE long recruiting process for Bahamian prep basketball player D’Andre Vilmar has concluded with a commitment to a junior college powerhouse.

#Vilmar will join the Missouri State-West Plains Grizzlies for the upcoming Fall 2018-2019 campaign.

#The 6’4″ guard out of Abaco was one of eight newcomers announced by Grizzlies head coach Chris Popp.

#“D’Andre is an explosive athlete. He’s another player with national team experience. He comes in highly touted, having been recruited at the D1 level and rated as a four-star recruit by ESPN,” Popp said.

#“I’m really excited about this group. We’ve gotten bigger, more athletic. The overall talent level is high. It’s just going to be a matter of blending it all together. The qualities that will dictate how our season goes are intangible. If this group displays the toughness, savvy and determination, then buys into the team concepts, togetherness and how we approach things, it’s going to be an exciting season.”

#He continues a recent Bahamian legacy with the Grizzlies after

#Radshad Davis completed two impactful years with the programme prior to his transfer to the Division I University of Texas – Arlington.

#Davis was the team-elected Most Valuable Player and Team Captain awards and Defensive Player of the Year after he averaged 16.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Vilmar transferred to Olympus Prep Academy in Williamstown, New Jersey, to complete the athletic and academic year just prior to the collegiate ranks.

#After an injury shortened his senior season at the high school level, Vilmar took the prep school route in an effort to strengthen his recruitment for the class of 2018 when he joined the Redemption Christian Academy Lions prep school in Northfield, Massachusetts.

#He spent his high school senior season at the Paul VI programme in New Jersey following a transfer from Roman Catholic High in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

#By the end of his junior season, Vilmar was making his way toward the ESPN 60 rankings. Roman had won their second state title and he was listed as a four-star recruit, ranked fourth in the state and 27th nationally at his position.

#That momentum stalled after just a few games into the preseason as a senior. Paul VI’s star recruit would be lost due to a season-ending knee injury on a seemingly routine play against Timber Creek.

#After spending the offseason rehabilitating, he decided to take the prep school route. At the international level, he was a part of the Bahamas team that finished fifth at the FIBA Centrobasket Under-17 Championship when he led the tournament in scoring at 19.6 points per game and rebounding at 12.4 boards per game.

#He was also second in assists as he dished out 4.6 per game.

Shavaul Butters

Thursday, September 10, 2020

#By Renaldo Dorsett

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#SHAVAUL Butters will relocate to a new state to complete his senior season of high school basketball and prepare himself for collegiate recruitment in the class of 2021.

#The Grand Bahama native will transfer to Elevation Prep in Fort Wayne, Indiana, after he spent last season with Aspire Academy in Louisville, Kentucky.

#“Elevation Prep is a preparatory high school and postgraduate basketball academy,” according to its website. “Our mission is to provide our student-athletes with a holistic college experience to best prepare them for their careers as collegiate athletes and beyond.”

#Elevation partners with Lakewood Virtual School and local area colleges and universities to provide its student-athletes with an accredited academic experience.

#Butters has begun to garner attention from major Division I basketball programmes and received his first offer of what is expected to be an active recruiting process this summer.

#He was officially offered by the Austin Peay State University Governors. The Governors compete in the Ohio Valley Conference and most recently made the NCAA Tournament in 2016.

#He has also received high interest from UNLV, Maryland, Eastern Kentucky, North Carolina- Greensboro and several others.

#Butters, a 6’8” 210-pound “stretch four” power forward, posted impressive numbers for Aspire Academy.

#The only member of the roster to compete in all 33 contests last season, he led the team in several statistical categories in his first year with the programme.

#Butters led the team in total points (386 points), field goal percentage (57 per cent, 173-303), three point percentage (40 per cent, 19-48), and total rebounds (323). He finished 2nd on the team at 11.7 points per game and averaged a double double with 10 rebounds per game.

#He shot 64 per cent from free throw and also finished with 32 total blocks, 28 steals and 35 assists.

#His season was highlighted with 30 points, 21 rebounds and two blocks against Tennessee Prep last December at the Marshall County Hoopfest in Kentucky. In the classroom, Butters has a 3.0 GPA and a score of 20 on his ACT.