Wanna know what people think about us...
Here are just a few thoughts from some of the Brooklyn and Rwandan camp-goers as well as Rwandan officials who graced us with their presence.
Jaiden Glover, Youngsters Alumni, Brooklyn NY
At the age of 12, I started working out with Coach Sean and some of the YBBC coaches after school and during the summer breaks for the past 5 years. Because of their continuous mentoring and training, (which was pivotal on and off the court) along with my current coaches and trainers, I recently committed to St. John’s University 2024/25 basketball team. YBBC helped me stay in my lane, perfect my craft and focus on being one of, if not, the dopest collegiate defender this incoming season. Training with Coach Sean and his team over the years has definitely pushed me to be a tough matchup for ANY opposing defender. Salute YBBC!
Love Forde, Youngsters Alumni, Brooklyn NY
As a 15 years old, 6’2” sophomore in high school this 2024 season (and one of the top prospects in the country), I really appreciate having my YBBCl coaches always personally available and ready to work with me (no matter what our schedules look like) all year around. For the last 4 years, they have helped me hone in on my rebounding, shot blocking and scoring techniques whenever I need that extra boost after working with my regular training team. Thank you YBBC for all of the hard work that you all have invested in me. Earning the 18th Annual Myles McGowan Coaches Classic Fresh Faces 2027 MVP was tough but we did it!
Julienne Uwacu, (former)MINISPOC
Ms. Uwacu, Minster of Sports and Culture in Kigali, Rwanda, graced the camp to express her thoughts as to how beneficial the camp has been for the kids especially the girl.
"Let me take this opportunity to say thank you for the two weeks that you (Tonya Hollis, camp coordinator) and the coaches have spent with our young boys and girls in the training camp. Everyone has noticed the changes the kids have been making in terms of skills, enthusiasm, and love for basketball.
We also appreciated the way you and your team were easy to work with during your stay in Kigali.
We are so happy that you made this partnership with our country in such a short time knowing that you were just introduced to us.
You met us on a quick trip to San Fransisco to join us at our Rwanda Festival and now you are a part of our family.
Welcome, all of you...welcome HOME!"
Richard Nyirishema, (former) 2nd Vice President of FERWABA
The Rwanda Basketball Federation acknowledges the positive impact of Youngsters Basketball Camp, held in July-August 2017, hosting 100 kids over a two week period.
The professionalism, generosity, and humility of the YBBCI enabled the boys and girls to amazingly improve their basketball skills in a short period of time tremendously. The kids' motivation and love for the sport is now very high! Five local Rwandan coaches also benefited from the camp as well. Working with the YBBCI coaching staff will allow our coaches to organize similar camps throughout the year, themselves.
I cannot forget to recognize YBBCI's donation of basketballs, sneakers, and uniforms which was a notable support to our youngsters. YBBCI's contribution was timely and it fit well with our vision and goal as a Federation which is to develop Rwandan basketball through our youth, especially giving attention to the girls.
The Federation is definitely committed to building on what we have achieved together with YBBCI. Strengthening our partnership for the future will have a bigger impact on our youth as well as our community.
Dick Sano, Youngsters Alumni, Kigali Rwanda*
Hello, I am writing to describe and give my thoughts on this amazing camp that I participated in this summer. Personally, I used to play basketball at school but I never thought of having an opportunity to meet experienced coaches from strong teams.
During the camp, we were trained and given new drill and tasks to do which helped us to develop our body fitness and basketball skills. I made new friends in the camp which helped me know them better inside and outside the court.
This camp made me a better player than I was before, and it built confidence in myself. I now do my workouts every morning, something I never thought of before the camp. I wish ed the camp could continue but unfortunately, it was not possible. My goal is to one day represent in country on an NBA team.
I am looking forward to another future opportunity to attend when YBBCI returns to Rwanda. As I continue to work on what I learned from them, my big dream is to become a professional basketball player. Thank you, YBBCI.
*(Dick was on the Jr. 2017 NBA squad in Africa…congratulations!)
Kamal Nelson, Youngsters Alumni, Brooklyn NY
I have been training out with Coach Sean Groove for about 6 years on my basketball career. During those years I was able to maximize my potential because of his unique basketball training methods.
My first year of high school I did not know Coach Groove and I was unable to make either the JV or Varsity basketball at my school. During the the Spring semester of my freshman year in high school my mother introduced me to Coach Groove and we trained everyday that summer. During my sophmore year I was able to jump straight to the Varsity program and play a legitimate amount of minutes. I continued to keep myself in the gym with Coach Groove and during my junior year I was able to average 16 points per game and 7 rebounds, senior year I averaged 22 points per game 8 rebounds and 6 assists.
My game grew tremendously in high school and I was able to receive multiple scholarship offers and did accept one to Monroe Community College and then I went on to play Division 2 College Basketball. Currently I am playing Semi-Pro and looking forward to taking my talents somewhere overseas.
Ingrid
Kanyambo, Youngsters Alumni, Rwanda
During my holiday this past July, I attended the Youngsters B-Ball Camp for girls and boys. There were 50 boys and 50 girls invited to come and meet the coaches from the USA.
They gave us sportswear, sneakers, and socks. We were so proud to get them because some of us didn't have shoes for basketball. We were so happy about that! Not only did they give us the equipment needed to play but they taught us about basketball...how to shoot, criss-cross, dribble, and lots of things that we really didn't know or needed help in sharpening our skills.
We were so happy to spend time getting to know the US coaches personally, too. During our first lunch time, we thought we were going to have to go home to eat and get back to the stadium to work out but we were taken to a local restaurant every day and enjoyed delicious food with all of the coaches and learned a lot about them and where they come from ("What's poppin' Brooklyn?"). We were so happy to have good lunches everyday (all of the foods that we loved).
In the two weeks at the camp, we were so happy to be learning new things, practicing every morning and afternoon, and being around the coaches who really wanted to teach us many things about basketball. My mom was so happy for everything that was done for me (she was especially surprised when she saw my new sneakers).
What made us happy everyday?
The coaches! They took us in as their own children, teaching us skills, playing ball with us as we trained, and working with us while making it fun. Because of their experience, we learned something new everyday.
I really want to thank the Federation (FERWABA), and Ms. Tonya for doing this for us. We are so proud that you picked us to come to the camp and we request YBBCI come back during the big holidays because we need more training. We are so happy for everything you have done for us. Thank you so much to everyone who made this possible!