Program Profile: SEATTLE SWISH
David Brown – Tacoma Legend (SEATTLE SWISH).
When you think of a coach, you think of someone who has a passion for kids and development. A person who embodies what is to be a positive model for our youth today. David Brown has stepped up and provided that for the kids of Lakewood and Tacoma. Starting the YBDL youth development league 10 years ago he has seen some of the most talented and brightest kids in the Tacoma-Seattle area walk across his court.
I got a chance to catch up with the Tacoma legend and speak with him about the SEATTLE SWISH program, which has some of the most talented young men Tacoma-Seattle has to offer.
“I started SEATTLE SWISH about 10 years ago and it was really a coincidence. We already had a program called intensity, which featured some of the top players in the area like, Jaquori McClaughlin (OSU), Malachi Flynn (WSU), Alphonzo Anderson (MSU) and Jared Goldwire (Louisville), Isaac Garcia (Ore U), Montre Brown (Portland SU). An opportunity came to me where a group of men wanted to sponsor a youth program based in Tacoma and asked me to spearhead that program. I first met them in Bellevue and their ideas were to develop a youth team that can travel and play in high-level tournaments. Therefore, when we started we had a 4th grade team that would play and compete in tournaments around the state. Once those kids got into 8th/9th grade we added more teams and started to make a name for ourselves. We then added more teams and found ourselves in a full fledge development program with 12 teams. We started traveling going to Salem and Boise. Our top teams started to travel to Vegas, California and Florida. At that point, we knew we had a good thing going. Once we got to that stage, our 17u team was top five in the state. We started to win tournaments like the FAB 48, Oakland Invitational and place top 4 in the Anaheim classic. It has been a blessing for us to help so many kids. I have learned so much about coaching/development and just how to start and finish the process of first bringing a kid in, helping him develop his game and become a leader. Helping that student-athlete think business and always stay professional. It’s been such a great experience.”
Can you please tell me a little bit, about how the game has been good to you?
“The game has always been my first love. I started playing basketball in the 11th grade. I was a football player but I had some serious athleticism. I got hurt in a football game and my mom told me, “You need to play basketball.” Being from the Midwest the game is different in the northwest. My first experience with the game was when I went to the Byron Scott basketball camp in Arizona. After that camp, I never put the ball down. My first high school game I scored 27 points. I eventually became a great player in my high school. I received some offers but due to me graduating early I just decided to join the military and traveled for a little bit which brought me to Washington. I was in my early 20’s I started to play in the pro-am leagues in Seattle. I have played with the likes of Doug Christie, Jerome Kersey, Jamal Crawford and some good overseas players. After playing in the pro-am I was able to take my talents overseas and played in Australia, played semi-pro, IBL and the CBA.” My history with the game goes far back and has taken me to places I would have never been. I’ve met some great people and love sharing what I’ve learned with the kids.”
What is your season looking like with SEATTLE SWISH?
“There is a league starting up on June 26th hosted by Marvena Kemp (Shawn Kemp wife) which is NCAA Sanctioned and will feature some of the best prospects in the state. Games will be on Mondays at Seattle Pacific. We will be competing in that along with the Renton High school league, which has games on Tuesday’s and Thursdays. Our July schedule will be the most important, so these games will gear us up for a big tournament run. In July 20-23, we will be competing in the Double Pump in Anaheim, California along with the Pango’s Premier 80 Showcase in July. We will also be competing in the Las Vegas Fab 48 from July 27-30, which we won the last 2 years in a row. July time is very important for the kids to get as much exposure as possible. These two tournaments will allow a lot of coaches to view these kids at one place.”
This year SEATTLE SWISH have a couple of new players who will make a huge impact along with some of the returning players like Trevion Brown and Tashon Brown.
- Trey Tyson, Foss High School (6’3, SG)
Super impressed with Tyson, he is an athletic guard that has good quickness and a tremendous feel for the game. Deep range and can drive off the bounce and finish strong at the rim. He has gained some offers/interest from Pacific University, some JUCO and NWACC schools.
2. Markus Stevenson, Hillcrest Prep (6’6, SF)
Stevenson is a long Wing that will surprise you with his athleticism with some thunderous dunks. He has a huge upside with untapped potential. On the Wing Stevenson can score from all three levels. The length of Stevenson gives opponents trouble in the passing lanes. He will have the chance to draw Division I and II interest with a good showing in California during the live period. Stevenson has gained some offers/interest from NJIT, Rider, Drexel and some other Low Major D1 schools.
Here goes some video footage of the YBDL (youth basketball development) league.
https://instagram.com/p/BTXo4oxjKRh/
https://instagram.com/p/BUxrznsDX-D/