Local basketball talents Ashanti Phillips, Tyrik Singh and Shaquille Bertrand are now based in the US as the three players were granted athletic scholarships over the July/August vacation to pursue their academic and athletic endeavours.
Ashanti Phillips of Stories of Success (SOS) Basketball Academy and Tyrik Singh who was most recently a part of the Maloney Pacers Basketball Club and Youth Development Programme both received scholarship opportunities following their participation in this year’s 25/8 Exposure Camp hosted annually by T&T non-profit organisation, Caribbean Hoops.
Phillips, who is the first scholarship recipient out of SOS, has suited up for the Sheridan College Generals in Wyoming. The six-foot-two-inch post player was excited about her new journey and was looking forward to representing T&T internationally.
Phillips said, "I was so excited that my dream turned into a reality. When I first heard about the scholarship opportunity, I was indeed shocked, but I was happy to put myself in a position to take my game to the next level."
Towering at six-foot-seven-inch, swingman Tyrik Singh committed to McCook Community College in Nebraska. The former Under-19 national team co-captain said, "I am extremely grateful for Caribbean Hoops and all the coaches that helped me get to the position that I am in currently."
Singh also has positive sights on his academic pursuits.
"In my final year at McCook, I will be receiving an associate of arts degree. When that occurs, my next step is to move on to a Division I programme to finish my degree in business and play at the highest level," said the 21-year-old.
Maloney Pacers’ Bertrand is now studying and playing at Central Arizona College (CAC) in Coolidge, Arizona. This came following a visit to T&T by CAC men’s basketball programme head coach, Tramaine Aaron, during the school break.
The Maloney-based club members were in full view of coach Aaron, along with former Pacers scholarship recipient Sheldon Peterson. The sessions, which were organised by the club’s head coach Christopher Jackson Charles, took place over two days.
As the sessions concluded, Bertrand was at the forefront to join the CAC Vaqueros.
While his goal is to dominate on the court, Bertrand will also aim to advance himself academically in the field of sports management.