BTM Basketball-London Showcase (17U)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach<strong>&nbsp;Joe Callero</strong>&nbsp;of Passport Basketball, (who was previously a head Division-1 coach and in college basketball for 33 years), was recently at&nbsp;<strong>Cal Poly</strong>&nbsp;in the Big West from 2009-2019, is now directing a unique basketball and international experience which started three years ago with players from Washington and some NorCal players and that was Arizona's 1st year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I personally invited athletes for a 18U team and a 17U team and I will be traveling with the team for the week and scouting the players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is a week trip to London playing versus talented players from the UK. (The two teams will play in 3 games, which are reportedly the three best 17 and 18 and under teams in London.) They will be playing long games with actual&nbsp;<strong>FIBA</strong>&nbsp;rules on big courts that were played on by former Olympians on famous courts in London.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other days they will be traveling around London with their families that are going with them and doing bus tours, checking out famous landmarks and simply exploring London. Some will make it to Paris, France, checking out Wimbledon tennis courts on the one off day or go watch a famous Premier League soccer match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 8 local U17 players who are experiencing this unique trip are</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/btmbasketball/status/2070201606792987033","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/btmbasketball/status/2070201606792987033 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some vitals of the 7 17U players:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2689901' first='Drew' last='Jolley'] <strong>Prescott </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The big man from up north can control the paint for the 17U team. He has the proper size, length and athleticism to protect the rim and control the glass on both sides of the court. He will also bring an inside and out presence to the team with jumpers and hook shots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2689898' first='Caden' last='Lozen'] <strong>Prescott </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another top end forward from up north will play the inside and out role and defend the opposing top forwards from the three-four positions. His athleticism will be needed to get out on the break to score with dunks, put backs and perimeter jumpers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2731627' first='Parker' last='Bowden'] <strong>Mesa</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An inside and out wing forward can make plays for his teammates but he will defend inside and out and score it. He can hit the three off the catch and dribble past his defender and score inside the paint. He can take the ball off the glass and score with layups and drives. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2552773' first='Davis' last='Mason'] <strong>Hamilton </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A bigger scoring guard can play on or off the ball. He moves the ball like you should and will make the extra pass. He will score it with threes off the catch or pull and dribble drives to the basket. He will be needed to shoot it well for this team's success so he can open up the court for others. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2533653' first='Bennett' last='Christensen'] <strong>ALA-Queen Creek</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An almost throw back pure point guard controls games with his pace, precise passing and next level court vision. He guided Ben Franklin last year to the F4 and will need to guide this team in London too. He can also score it with mid-range pull-ups and threes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2552782' first='Jaiden' last='Hong'] <strong>Chaparral </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A point guard with advanced court vision and scoring abilities. He will throw up the court ropes and drive and kick it to a teammate. He is a very good shooter from the three point line and is quick to jet down the hole to the basket. He is very skilled and smart. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2741030' first='Max' last='Johnson'] <strong>Valley Christian </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final piece of the roster plays the game with an insane motor to compete. He will pester his opponents the length of the court with his speed, quick twitchy reflexes and quicker feet and hands. He can also score it with threes off the catch and transition buckets with his speed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team fits with enough guards, shooters, inside and out threats and true big for the FIBA game. They are also being joined by a 6'7 SF 2028 player from Sussex/London who will join the group in London.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NOTE:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We will be taking 2 teams again next year most likely from&nbsp;<strong>July 31st-August 8th, 2027</strong>. (18U/17U)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Invites will go out around mid-September/October for next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>If interested, don't be shy to reach out to me via email, text or social media.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A live feed</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.veo.co/product/veo-live#live-app">https://www.veo.co/product/veo-live#live-app</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->