Five of Team Hurricane’s programme will take part in Global Squad — an intensive summer programme run by Alexander Basketball Academy in Pennsylvania.

Bryce Gonsalves, Jason Gonsalves, Jorel Smith, Darae Smith and Dion Easton will attend the month-long academy at The Hill School, Pottstown, from June 27 to July 27.

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

In the past four years it has helped nearly 40 players get recruited.

The Global Squad experience will represent the players’ second overseas basketball experience this year.

Doug Reed, the Team Hurricanes head coach, said he is excited about the opportunity being afforded to his academy players.

“Upon competing internationally in Montreal, Canada, in April, Jorel, Darae and Bryce now will get the opportunity to play 15 to 20 games against some of the best high school players in the world.

“This experience for our players demonstrates the Team Hurricane Basketball Academy’s strength to provide a platform in which student-athletes can train, develop and reach their academic and athletic potential.”

Jason Gonsalves and Dion Easton, both former Saltus Grammar School pupils, will serve as counsellors during the camp and train for potential college basketball opportunities.

Team Hurricane have aligned themselves with Alexander Basketball Academy and held the Team Hurricane-Global Squad Invitational Skills Camp in April at Bermuda College.

Alexander said he was encouraged with the level of talent he found in Bermuda.

“Team Hurricane is clearly building a strong culture of hardworking and extremely coachable players,” he said.

Alexander was particularly impressed with the Gonsalves, Jorel Smith and Darae Smith.

“We love [Darae’s] athleticism,” Alexander said. “His speed and quickness give him a baseline to potentially play Division I college basketball. If he can clean up some of his fundamentals, improve his jump shot, and ballhandling then he will have a lot of schools interested recruiting him.”

“Jorel is athletic, skilled, and extremely coachable. He’s only a freshmen so he has a lot of time to develop into a legit NCAA prospect.

“Bryce loves getting physical and does a great job using his body around the basket. His high basketball IQ, toughness, and skill set make him a promising college prospect.”

Bryce Gonsalves, a 6ft 2in guard-forward said he was grateful for the opportunity at the Alexander Basketball Academy.

“I know it will be a good experience and will increase my fitness and skill levels,” he said. “It will also be a good chance for me to see first hand the level of competition in the US and to get some exposure for colleges.”

The five Bermuda players will be trained by coaching staff that includes present and former NCAA players.

For more details about Team Hurricane Basketball Academy contact Reed at 504-1962.