We are pleased to announce our coaching staff for this years camp compiling of coaches from all over the world.
This years camp sees both Coach Don Showalter (pictured) and Joe Mantegna reunited after being together for the very first DENGTOP50 in 2014.
Blair Academy Head Coach Mantegna will make his third consecutive year being involved in all camps where his experience and leadership have made a huge impact. His continued involvement has just come off the back of running a Luol Deng Invitational Camp at Blair for up and coming South Sudanese players that reside in the USA.
Don Showalter has just recently won his eight consecutive Gold Medal with U17 Team USA at the FIBA World Championships which has seen him promoted to Director for Coach Development with USA Basketball. Having such a high calibre coach at in attendance really elevates the camp to a new level where he is excited to get back to the camp.
“It’s a great pleasure to be back at Luol’s camp to be apart of pushing the Top 50 kids in the UK through a very intense camp. I always enjoy coming back to the UK to see how much the players are improving each year which is credit to them and also their coaches. I’m also looking forward to meeting back up with coaches from previous years and also meeting new faces as we all help to make an impact over the 4 day camp.”
We also welcome a new face this year with Coach Royal Ivey who played with Luol at Blair Academy under Coach Mantegna. Ivey has played n the NBA with various teams for over 10 years and is now an Assistant Coach with the Oklahoma City Thunder where he last year lead skill development work with two of the best players on the planet in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
On top of this we have some of the best coaches in the UK rounding out what is arguably our best coaching staff to date. Below is the full coaching staff for this years camp.
Don Showalter | U17 Head Coach, Team USA |
Joe Mantegna | Head Coach, Blair Academy |
Royal Ivey | NBA Assistant Coach, OKC Thunder |
Erik Olson | Head Coach, FSu Körfubolti |
Nigel Lloyd | BBL Head Coach, London Lions |
Malcolm Leak | ABL Head Coach, Preston Titans |
James Vear | NBL Head Coach, Barking Abbey |
Neal Hopkins | NBL Head Coach, Lancashire Spinners |
Josh Merrington | EABL Head Coach, Charnwood Academy |
Aurimas Verbukas | U16 Head Coach, Manchester Magic |
Adam Davies | U16 Head Coach, Kent Crusaders |
Jordanas Mejeras | Head Coach, Baltic Stars |
Article Tags: Coaches Corner, Don Showalter, Joe Mantegna, Royal Ivey