Tag: PBA Pro Combine and Draft

Mid Coast Sternmen

Mid Coast Sternmen join the Pro Basketball Association

Rockland, Maine – The Pro Basketball Association announced on Wednesday that the Mid Coast Sternmen had been awarded a franchise for the 2021 PBA season. Team owner Brad Galley has been in the banking industry for 15 years and runs a very successful AAU program called Mid Coast Elite with 8 teams. Galley played College Basketball at Husson University which was at the time a Nationally ranked NAIA D2 school, graduating with a BA in business administration. Galley spent 3 Years as an assistant coach (2006-2009) coaching at the University of Maine at Machias running the strength and conditioning program and working with the bigs also working in basketball operations. Galley is also the President of the local youth football program and has run that for the last six years. Brad and his wife Danielle have three sons and reside in Owls Head, a bedroom community just outside of Rockland.

Northeast Division: Current, pending, and potential markets

The Mid Coast Sternmen will play in the Pro Basketball Association’s Northeast division joining teams such as the Rochester Razorsharks who are an 8x Champion at the minor league level. The Buffalo Blaze also play in the Northeast along with Akron Aviators, New York Generals, and Buckhannon Bears (West Virginia). The PBA is currently in discussions with several other organizations in the New England and Upstate New York areas. The league has plans for 36 teams this Season Nationally and has divisions around the Country including: Midwest, Southeast, South, and Northwest and has positioned itself to be the highest level of Professional Basketball in the United States after the NBA and NBA G-League.

MidCoast Sternmen Head Coach Jim Graffam

The Mid Coast Sternmen will bring Professional basketball to the MidCoast region of Maine and will be coached by Jim Graffam. For those in the region they may recall Coach Graffam was the Assistant Coach for the USBL’s Portland Wave in Portland, Maine in 1999. Every player on the roster spent time overseas professionally after the Spring-Summer USBL and one player played in the NBA. Portland is about an hour South from the Mid Coast area. After the USBL, Graffam was Head Men’s Basketball Coach at University of Maine – Fort Kent where they were 22-8 and qualified for the New England final 4. Later, he also took over the Women’s program and also the role of Athletic Director ultimately directing the program to a Sunrise Conference Championship appearance. Graffam went on to Head Coach and AD at Green Mountain College and College of St. Joseph in Vermont. All told Graffam has had three teams inducted into the Hall of Fame, coached 7 All-Americans and over 80 All-Conference players in his tenure.

Pro Basketball Association

“When you do this long enough you have the pleasure of meeting some really great people. Some with the basketball background and you work with them on the business aspects. Some have a business background and surround themselves with the basketball know how. Brad Galley checks every box there is. A successful College Basketball player and Coach. Runs 8 AAU programs and a football program in the area. A business banker that personally knows and works with some really great people in the Mid Coast region. The former USBL and Collegiate Coach is a big piece to the puzzle and they both have deep ties to this Community. These guys are exactly what I look for when talking to potential franchise owners. I am so excited for Brad, his wife Danielle, their boys, Coach Jim… Wow slam dunk for Maine and for the Pro Basketball Association. Let’s go Sternmen!” PBA Commisisoner – Chris Terrell

The Pro Basketball Association will host a Pro Combine and Draft in two locations this year. March 27th at Fast Break Sports in Rochester, New York and April 3rd at the MAC in Lewisville, Texas. This is an INVITE only event. Players and/or their representation is encouraged to email profile and video to [email protected] to be considered for invitation.

For more information on the Mid Coast Sternmen and the Pro Basketball Association, visit us on social platforms @probasketballassociation and online at www.PBAplayers.com

H-Town Astronauts join the Pro Basketball Association

Houston, Texas – The Pro Basketball Association announced on Monday that the H-Town Astronauts had entered into an agreement to join the PBA. Team owner John Lennon played professionally in the minor leagues and had overseas opportunities as a player in the KBL in Korea and wants to give players in the greater Houston and South Texas region to have some of those same opportunities. The team has a business minded owner in Lennon that is leading edge in a lot of what he does on the marketing front but the heart and soul of an athlete destined for greatness. H-Town will be playing at the KDC in Spring, Texas this season and has chosen to play in the PBA’s classic model where he will host his own home games and travel for road contests.

“The Pro Basketball Association currently has teams slated to play this season throughout the Southeast. We’re excited about a high level of Pro Basketball being played in Houston, the Gulf Coast Region, Shreveport, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, and throughout the Southeast. Our model is to have teams play in division with only 5 road games throughout the season working to keep teams in that 6-8 hour range so we can keep expenses down and make it a no-flights necessary league. We’re modeled after some of the same solid business practices of what you would find in Minor League Baseball where fierce rivalries are played out between business partners and close friends that all make for exciting entertainment from the Southeast. Similar in geography in what you’d find in the SEC conference, this division is going to be so much fun for all involved. David Day, our National Director of League Operations, and Kimberly Meadows-Clark, our Regional Director, make for a great team for the PBA and a true asset to all owners in the Association. We’re excited about John Lennon and are looking forward to his H-Town Astronauts creating some real drama with his bayou neighbors that the fans will get out of their seats and cheer for.” PBA Commissioner – Chris Terrell

Map of current, pending, and proposed markets – Southeast Division

The Pro Basketball Association will host a Pro Combine and Draft in two locations this year. March 27th at Fast Break Sports in Rochester, New York and April 3rd at the MAC in Lewisville, Texas. This is an INVITE only event. Players and/or their representation is encouraged to email profile and video to [email protected] to be considered for invitation.

For more information on the H-Town Astronauts and the Pro Basketball Association, visit us on social platforms @probasketballassociation and online at www.PBAplayers.com

Mount Vernon Power join the PBA

Mount Vernon, NY – The Pro Basketball Association announced on Monday that the Mount Vernon Power had joined the PBA with plans to play in the 2022 Season. Team Owner Von Wright has a leadership role in the Northeast division with the MBL and the PBA entered into an alliance with the league late last year. In addition to owning the Mount Vernon Power, Wright also was instrumental working with the Bronx Holy Flames since 2013 as their General Manager where he oversaw 20 players continuing on in their professional careers to overseas opportunities. Wright has been working hard in the community and already has multiple businesses supporting the club in their efforts to bring their franchise to the Pro Basketball Association.

“Von and the Mount Vernon Power have a long term strategy in place. They’re building the organization with the right foundation in place. We were excited they’ve committed with an agreement in place for the 2022 season and he will be with us at multiple games during the season as he continues to build his sponsor base and grows with us into the future including being available to play some exhibition games and helping with camps and clinics to give back to the youth in the Mount Vernon community. If I had to guess he’s going to be a front row frequent guest at the New York Generals games as Mount Vernon is less than 30 minutes drive from the White Plains area. I’m excited for Von and I’m excited for the fans in New York.” PBA Commissioner – Chris Terrell

The Northeast division of the PBA has already announced franchises such as the Rochester Razorsharks, Buffalo Blaze, Akron Aviators, and New York Generals. There are several others set to be announced in the coming days set to play this season. We’ve identified several key markets in the region and have some big news coming out almost on a daily basis… It’s an exciting time in the Pro Basketball Association.

Map of current, pending, and proposed markets – Northeast Division Map

The Pro Basketball Association will host a Pro Combine and Draft in two locations this year. March 27th at Fast Break Sports in Rochester, New York and April 3rd at the MAC in Lewisville, Texas. This is an INVITE only event. Players and/or their representation is encouraged to email profile and video to [email protected] to be considered for invitation.

For more information about the Mount Vernon Power and the Pro Basketball Association visit us on social FB/IG @probasketballassociation and online at www.PBAplayers.com

Kitsap Admirals join the Pro Basketball Association

Seattle, Washington – The Pro Basketball Association has announced that the Kitsap Admirals would join the PBA for the 2021 Season. Team owner Ashley Robinson has been instrumental in the league having already announced a team in Texas for this season and now Washington. The Admirals have not only been a force in the Seattle Area and the State of Washington but Globally, having already successfully taken teams abroad having competed on the International level in Europe several times. In addition to owning two franchises in the Pro Basketball Association, Robinson will also take over the position of Regional Director of League Operations for the Pacific Northwest. The PBA is already in discussion with several organizations in the region and has plans for a 6 team division in the Northwest and Robinson will help head that effort.

Map of current, pending, and proposed markets – Northwest division

The Admirals are a winning organization that makes a positive impact through a Commitment to Excellence in the community, both on and off the court. They strive to set a standard of integrity, honesty and professionalism by providing high quality programs while empowering and developing the future leaders of tomorrow. The goal is to form a successful international professional feeder program for coaches and players worldwide. The Admirals are  pioneers among minor league teams throughout the United States. They are the 2015-16 Pac NW Champions, 2016 Tacoma Pro Am Champions and the 2016 Seattle Summer League Pro Am Conference Champs. 2017 NABL West Conference Champs, 2017 Zeke-End Runner Up and 2019 United Kingdom WCBT Runner Up. The 2020 Maximum Madness Runner-up. Along with victories over the NBL, CBA, Div 2 Spain & Russia and a team that plays in the SuperLeague in Russia.

“Working with Ashley Robinson in the MBL, I learned quickly how astute this guy is in everything he does. He’s taken clubs overseas and played big time basketball in Europe and Asia as well as created a reputation for excellence in the Pacific Northwest. Having him in our league with his franchises in Texas and Washington for the PBA Season is really exciting for the league. We’re excited to see the Kitsap and Texas Admirals compete for a PBA Championship this coming season.” PBA Commissioner – Chris Terrell

The Pro Basketball Association will host a Pro Combine and Draft in two locations this year. March 27th at Fast Break Sports in Rochester, New York and April 3rd at the MAC in Lewisville, Texas. This is an INVITE only event. Players and/or their representation is encouraged to email profile and video to [email protected] to be considered for invitation.

For more information about the Kitsap Admirals, Pacific Northwest division, and the Pro Basketball Association visit us on social platforms FB/IG @probasketballassociation or online at www.pbaplayers.com

Diego Yacullo named Director of International Scouting – Argentina

Junin, Buenos Aires, Argentina – The Pro Basketball Association announced on Saturday that Diego Yacullo had been named the Director of International Scouting for Argentina in the PBA. Diego is an agent and owner of DCYSPORT in Argentina and the President of Club Atlético Villa Belgrano in Argentina. From his decades of experience in professional basketball, Diego will utilize his contacts and experience to become a bridge to opportunity abroad for players in the PBA.

Club Atletico

“Diego Yacullo joins a strong group of industry leaders globally for the Pro Basketball Association. We’ve now set up bridges to opportunities at the next levels both foreign and domestic. Antoine Broxsie, current NBA coach will help us with access to NBA workouts, NBA Summer Leagues, and G-League opportunities as our National Director of Scouting. Bayi Handy and the Handy Agency in Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Zoran Milovic in Eastern Europe. Stefan Heinrich in Northern Europe. David Condouant is the top agent in France handles Western Europe for the league. Samir St. Clair in Japan. Eric Carr in the Middle East. Former NBA 1st round draft pick Jerrod Mustaf in the Caribbean and Africa with US Elite. LaSalle Taylor 40 year Pro Head Coach helping us in Mexico. Ricky Benitez coached at the top levels all over the World and overseeing Latin America as a whole and as Deputy Commissioner for the league. I’ve led teams in China CBA and Europe and Latin America and Canada and the D-League. To say we’re loaded is an understatement. There is no team like this one period and Diego now in Argentina. Go to the Front Office page on the PBA website: Boom! The Pro Basketball Association – If you want Pro – You want the PBA.”

Chris Terrell – Commissioner

The Pro Basketball Association will host a Pro Combine and Draft in two locations this year. March 27th at Fast Break Sports in Rochester, New York and April 3rd at the MAC in Lewisville, Texas. This is an INVITE only event. Players and/or their representation is encouraged to email profile and video to [email protected] to be considered for invitation.

For more information about Diego Yacullo and the Pro Basketball Association visit us on social platforms FB/IG @probasketballassociation or online at www.pbaplayers.com

Stefan Heinrich named Director of International Scouting – Austria, Germany, Finland, Norway, and Sweden

Fürstenfeld, Austria – The Pro Basketball Association announced on Friday that Stefan Heinrich had been named Director of International Scouting for Austria, Germany, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. Heinrich Sports will become a key partner in Europe helping to develop a pipeline of high level players for opportunities abroad for players in the PBA.

Heinrich Sports was founded in 2006 and since that time they have consistently grown and have established a network of reliable and trustworthy teams and partners worldwide. Heinrich Sports has two main offices to provide full-time services for our clients. The main office is based in Fürstenfeld, Austria, while the recruitment and training hub is located in Atlanta, Georgia.

For their recruiting they use different scouts in the United States as well as in other parts of the World. They evaluate their potential clients for a long period of time so that they are able to present all necessary information to any team interested. It’s not only important for Stefan to find talented players; he is also looking for athletes with good character on and off the court.

Heinrich Sports focuses on the individual needs of each client and their families. We pride ourselves on being a very professional, loyal, honest and hard-working management agency that emphasizes the development, improvement and longevity of each player’s career.

The Pro Basketball Association will host a Pro Combine and Draft in two locations this year. March 27th at Fast Break Sports in Rochester, New York and April 3rd at the MAC in Lewisville, Texas. This is an INVITE only event. Players and/or their representation is encouraged to email profile and video to [email protected] to be considered for invitation.

For more information about Stefan Heinrich Heinrich Sports (heinrich-sports.com) and the Pro Basketball Association visit us on social platforms FB/IG @probasketballassociation or online at www.pbaplayers.com

Akron Aviators join the Pro Basketball Association

Akron, Ohio – The Akron Aviators have accepted an invitation and been awarded a franchise in the Pro Basketball Association. Team Owner Brian Collins and partners founded the Akron Aviators in 2017. Collins will take over the role of President of Media and Entertainment for the Pro Basketball Association. He has helped provide entertainment such as music performance artists around the World with Royal Heir Entertainment and will help PBA teams with his direction in helping to facilitate bringing successful acts and performers to PBA arenas this season. In addition to music, Collins also works with television, and other entertainment mediums, in the production and distribution of the product to a large audience.

On the court, the Akron Aviators are high flyers like the name suggests. They’ve made deep runs in the post season of another professional league and have an established fan base that supports their brand of winning basketball in the City of Akron, Ohio.

Collins on joining the PBA “We see this as a unique opportunity to give back to the community of Akron. The Spring-Summer schedule fits perfectly with our vision for the brand and being active in the community is a big part of our mission. We’re coming with a purpose this season and will look to give the fans their money’s worth and appreciate all the support that the City of Akron has given to us.”

The Pro Basketball Association will host a Pro Combine and Draft in two locations this year. March 27th at Fast Break Sports in Rochester, New York and April 3rd at the MAC in Lewisville, Texas. This is an INVITE only event. Players and/or their representation is encouraged to email profile and video to [email protected] to be considered for invitation.

For more information about the Akron Aviators and the Pro Basketball Association visit us on social platforms FB/IG @AkronAviators @probasketballassociation or online at www.akronaviators.com and www.pbaplayers.com

Sergio Rivera

Sergio Rivera named Director of Strength and Conditioning for the Pro Basketball Association

Fort Myers, Florida – The Pro Basketball Association announced on Wednesday that Sergio Rivera of SurgeFit has been named the Director of Strength and Conditioning for the PBA.

Bucs quarterback Tom Brady defies age on the gridiron, inspires others
Bucs quarterback Tom Brady defies age on the gridiron, inspires others (winknews.com)
Rivera “Trainer of the Stars” featured on TV – Wink News – Fort Myers, Florida

Rivera is known as the “Trainer of the stars” featured on television for the impact he is able to make in the performance of his athletes. Rivera has been part of the Benitez International Team (Ricky Benitez) as Strength and Conditioning Coach for 11 years. He has been responsible for the training of players that have won 8 championships. Sergio is a graduate of Weber International where he played football for 4 years. He also attended Florida Fort Myers High School which is a State powerhouse where he played football, basketball, and baseball. Sergio is the owner of Surge Fit Inc. in Fort Myers, Florida.

The Pro Basketball Association will host a Pro Combine and Draft in two locations this year. March 27th at Fast Break Sports in Rochester, New York and April 3rd at the MAC in Lewisville, Texas. This is an INVITE only event. Players and/or their representation is encouraged to email profile and video to [email protected] to be considered for invitation.

For more information about Sergio Rivera, Surge Fit Inc., and the Pro Basketball Association visit us on social platforms FB/IG @probasketballassociation or online at www.pbaplayers.com

Ricky Benitez

Ricky Benitez – Deputy Commissioner of the Pro Basketball Association

Tampa, Florida – The PBA announced on Wednesday that Ricky Benitez has been named the Deputy Commissioner of the Pro Basketball Association. Benitez will also take on the role of International Consultant to Latin America. Coach Benitez will also run the PBA Pro Draft Combine in Fort Myers, Florida on January 16th where every game will be televised and from which, each team in the league will have 2 picks in the 2 round draft.

IF YOU WANT PRO – YOU WANT THE PBA

After completing his career in the United States Army with the Special Operations Response Team. He began his professional coaching career where he has been coaching professional basketball for over 20 years compiling a record of 601 wins and 99 losses with an 84% winning percentage. He has a total of 16 Championships. He has coached in 5 Continents and 9 Countries. China, Canada, USA, Mexico, Venezuela, Chile, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Hungary. Benitez has coached in the pro leagues of CBA-USA, USBL-USA, PBL-USA, ABA-USA, LNBP-MEX, LPB-VEN, LNB-Chile, CIBACOPA-MEX, NBL-Canada and the International FIBA America’s League.

Benitez has coached and developed players such as: Renaldo Balkman, Antoine Broxsie, Alejandro Rodriguez, Tyrone Levett, Luis Jacobo, Jamaal Samuel, Jamil Samuel, Lester Prosper, Jai Pradia and Terrence Shannon Sr.

The Pro Basketball Association will host the 2022 PBA Draft Combine in Fort Myers, Florida. This is an INVITE only event. Players and/or their representation is encouraged to email profile and video to [email protected] to be considered for invitation.

https://youtu.be/W4M1YZl6rNM

More info is available on social platforms FB/IG @probasketballassociation and online at www.pbaplayers.com

PBA names Samir St. Clair as Director of International Scouting – Japan

Atlanta, GA – The Pro Basketball Association has announced reaching an agreement with Samir St. Clair as the Director of International Scouting for Japan. St. Clair has guided multiple basketball programs throughout Europe, Middle East, and Japan. He most recently served as Head Coach for Pioneros de Los Mochis in CiBaCoPa, Mexico. Before joining the Pioneros, St. Clair was the Head Coach for the Saitama Broncos in Japan. In his first season as Head Coach of Saitama he led the team to 22 victories from a team that finished the season 5-47 the year prior. During his second season in Japan he led them to it’s first winning season in 9 years with a 34-28 record.

Prior to his arrival in Japan, St. Clair spent the 2015-2016 season in Dubai, United Arab Emirates at Al Nasr club where he was the director of player development and Associate Head Coach. He helped develop a guard tandem that led the UAE Pro league in 3 pointers made and percentage. He also coached former Dallas Mavericks high flyer Eric Griffin. Al Nasr made a run in the finals of the UAE Professional President’s Cup. In addition, St. Clair had the honor of being the Head Coach of the Ohud club of Medina, Saudi Arabia in the prestigious Gulf Club Championship in 2016 where he coached former first round NBA draft pick Donte Greene. He’s also led clubs such as Al Jazira and Sharjah (UAE) where his clubs have won the Arab Cup and Super Cup.

St. Clair also has experience coaching at the College level with Clark Atlanta University and Southern Polytechnic State; known to be a great communicator, a student of the game, exceptional teacher and for connecting with players on and off the court.

The PBA will host it’s pro combine and draft this Spring with two locations Nationally with Rochester, NY on March 27 and Dallas, Texas on April 3rd. Players and agents interested in having their clients considered for invitation are asked to email player profile and video to [email protected]

For more information on Samir St. Clair and the Pro Basketball Association follow us on social FB/IG @probasketballassociation or online at www.pbaplayers.com