BTM Basketball-London Showcase (18U)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach<strong> Joe Callero</strong> of Passport Basketball, (who was previously a head Division-1 coach and in college basketball for 33 years), was recently at <strong>Cal Poly</strong> in the Big West from 2009-2019, is now directing a unique basketball and international experience which started two 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 16U 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 16 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 U18 players who are experiencing this unique trip are</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/btmbasketball/status/1946196518177816650","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/btmbasketball/status/1946196518177816650 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some vitals of the 8 18U players:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2386958' first='Isaiah' last='Gill'] <strong>Mountain View Marana (#3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A fast pure point guard is one of the best passers in Tucson. He should rack up assists with his next level court vision and top end speed in the open court. He is also a good on-ball defender and he is developing as a scorer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1986845' first='Mason' last='Kendrick'] <strong>Arcadia (#5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong scoring guard will score with threes off the catch, mid-range pull-ups and he rebounds the ball unusually well for his size. He plays with an edge and no fear to score and will defend. His scoring punch will be needed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1900362' first='Colby' last='Jessup'] <strong>Valley Christian (#2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A bigger combo guard who can play on the ball like he does on his AIA team. He is the top shooter with deep three point range on the team and will need to get hot in stretches. He is also rebounding the ball at an all time high for himself. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1875718' first='Melvin' last='Stubbs Jr'] <strong>Sandra Day O'Connor (#1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A defensive wing forward who is a natural facilitator. He looks to make plays for teammates and defends nearly every position on the court with his long wingspan and athleticism. He can also score it from all levels and is a stud on the break. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1482165' first='Rider' last='Portela'] <strong>Sunnyslope (#15)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top rated player on the trip is that true Swiss Army Knife that will need to do a little bit of everything for this team. He most likely will be playing the 1-3 in stretches and can defend one of the top opposing guard/wings plus score it from all three levels. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1875584' first='Mykael' last='Nunez'] <strong>Mountain View Marana (#20)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A highly skilled and cerebral power forward. He handles the ball well for position and he can score it from inside and out. He has a nice touch near the basket but can step out and shoot the three. He is also a sneaky good passer with a feel. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1917869' first='Ethan' last='Sobik'] <strong>Notre Dame Prep (#14)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another skilled power forward who can also score it from inside and out. He will shoot the three off the catch and has the strength and skill to score with soft hands and post footwork. He will rebound, runs the floor and hold his ground versus taller players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2337274' first='Brig' last='Bowden'] <strong>Mesa (#33)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last man on the team is your traditional center who is very stout and strong. He will set picks, rebound and score it around the basket with put backs and hook shots. He uses his length to block shots and don't leave him open or he will knock down the perimeter J.</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 <strong>July 27th-August 3rd, 2026</strong>. (17U/16U)</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 -->