Grind Region Preview: BTR
We may be in the middle of high school basketball season but it’s not too early to look ahead to what’s coming up on the AAU circuit. Over the next few months we will be taking a look at the teams that will be participating in the PrepHoops Circuit Grind Region and here’s a look at BTR out of Oklahoma.
BTR will have teams in the 17U, 16U, and 15U divisions of the Grind Region and will be at the #GrindSzn Kickoff, Midwest Grind Session, and Grind Region Finals.
Here’s a transcript of a conversation we had with program founder Jessie Brown.
Why did you start your program? How long have you been around?
The Oklahoma BTR high school program was created by Jessie Brown in 2014 as a part of the overall BTR organization created by Carlos Adamson. BTR has boys and girls elementary, Jr. High and High school programs. His vision for the high school program was to give less fortunate student athletes the opportunity to compete and earn scholarships to play at the next level. For the last 4 travel seasons, every player that has played on BTRs 17U team has gone on and received an athletic scholarship. The program prides itself in developing young men into productive citizens as well as next level student athletes. The tradition of the BTR high program stems from an organization that merged 5 years ago and became Below The Rim. Oklahoma Explosion was created by Thomas Cook a retired Army veteran. The vision of OE helped create a much needed program that could nurture and mold young men. Thus BTR High school program was born. With numerous players who have played college and or professional or who are playing collegiately or professionally, BTR has proven to be a very successful program.
I started the BTR High School program to give athletes and opportunity to showcase their skills at a high level, in the most pure form possible. We also used this platform to mentor young men.
What is the goal of your program for 2019?
Our goal is always to get our student athletes in front of coaches and allow them to showcase their abilities, then of course for them to keep the tradition of earning scholarships going.
What is your program’s mission each year?
Our mission is always to put these young men and their needs first. Not to just nurture them in the game of basketball but also in the game of life. We are here to have a positive impact on them.
Do you know of any players that will be back in your program this year? Who should we have our eye on?
Our roster will be loaded with talent. 17s are bringing back 90% of the talent from last years team who was one of the top teams in the state, but are also adding a few key pieces that will take them over the top. 16s will have a whole new roster and so will 15s. Each of these players are college type players and will play at the next level.
Why did you choose the Prep Hoops Circuit?
I think this platform will benefit our players and coaches.