Three players from Team Hurricane Basketball attended the Academy Global Squad — an intensive summer camp run by Alexander Basketball Academy.

Bryce Gonsalves, Jorel Smith and Darae Smith attended the month-long Academy held at The Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, from June 27 to July 27.

Each summer the Global Squad provides athletes with an opportunity to get recruited by United States colleges and universities.

One of the Global Squad highlights for the Hurricane players was their participation in the Hoop Group Summer Jam Fest held at Spooky Nook Sports Complex in Manheim, Pennsylvania.

Darae Smith, of Berkeley Institute, was named the Alexander Basketball Academy’s most improved player.

“Global Squad was by far the best camp experience that I’ve ever attended,” Smith said. “It’s helped my game improve a lot because I became stronger and faster.

“It was like no other experience because nothing is given to me. It actually humbled me because I knew my team-mates were going to push me to my limits.

“The competition was greater than I thought so it took me time to adjust. As the weeks went on I was able to adjust and start playing comfortably.”

Bryce Gonsalves, who attends Saltus Grammar School, said: “The best thing about Global Squad was that I had a great opportunity to experience the toughness and level of skill the top high school teams play at.

“I think I have become a much better athlete and I have become more confident with my offensive game.”

Doug Reed, the Team Hurricane founder/head coach, believes the experience will be have been important to the players’ development.

“Only one year into our charity’s existence and we’re fortunate to be able to provide our student-athletes with an opportunity to take part in high-level grass-roots basketball and the recruiting scene,” Reed said.

“This is significant and, once again, highlights why the Team Hurricane Basketball Academy and its programmes are so unique to Bermuda.

“We have National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) certification which enables us to participate in the type of events and camps that are truly relevant in today’s youth basketball environment.”