BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ARGUABLY the best basketball player produced by the twin-island Federation in this era and beyond, a young man from St. Kitts is making waves in the US and, if fortunate, may soon be drafted in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
He is 28-year-old Dane Rawlins, born to Conaree resident Lynette Foster.
Information reaching SKNVibes states that the six-foot six-inch, 225-pound Rawlins had showcased his superb skills on the court during the recently concluded Global Basketball Summer League (GBSL) tryouts held at the Doolittle Community Center in Las Vegas.
The GBSL is the ultimate exposure event for future international players and, since its establishment in 2008, over 800 individuals who had attended the annual event are now professional players.
As is normally done, two sessions were held for the coaches/talent spotters to view those with the requisite skills for selection to the NBA – Sessions A and B. Session A was held from July 6-9 and Session B from July 9-12.
Rawlins was a member of the first team that competed in Session B and, according to a report from GBSL, the Kittitian possesses quality basketball skills and is built like an NBA player.
“Dane Rawlins is a next level athlete with some quality basketball skills. He creates off the dribble and finishes extremely well. He is built like a NBA athlete and plays above the rim. He has the ability to play multiple positions due to his all around skill set.”
The report also stated some of Rawlins’ superb qualities and achievements.
“Dane is from St. Kitts and would be a big time asset to European (Italy & Spain) teams requiring Contonu player that is a big time athlete. He has overseas experience in the Mongolian Basketball Association where he was a league all star. He played extremely well at the GBSL Las Vegas event and was super efficient and unstoppable. Dane has a nice mid range jump shot and operates out of the triple threat like a true professional.”
This publication learned that Rawlins is a product of the Reach One Teach One, an annual basketball camp hosted in Bird Rock under the expert tutelage of founder and Director Wendell Pemberton.
In an interview with SKNVibes, Pemberton said Rawlins had indicated to him that his intention is to play at the highest level of the game. He informed that the young man is the only player from the Federation to have reached the level of GBSL tryouts.
He explained that the Reach one Teach One Basketball Camp is held annually during the summer with the aim of providing young basketball players the opportunity of learning the fundamentals of the game.
Pemberton noted that it also affords those players with exceptional skills the opportunity to gain scholarships in the US through scouts from that country who regularly visit the Federation.
“Since the establishment of the Reach One Teach Camp, 15 basketball players, including five females, were offered scholarships.
From among that group, Pemberton said Rawlins was offered a four-year all-expense-paid scholarship in 1997 to pursue studies at the Missouri Baptist University, from where he graduated with a degree in Computer Technology.
“While undergoing his studies, Dane had represented the university and was named Most Valuable Player in the All American Sports Basketball Championship. He had also played in the Mongolian League and earned the accolade of Most Valuable Player,” Pemberton said of his former protégé.
The Reach One Teach One Director said he is proud of Rawlins achievements and spoke to his early days in the sport discipline.
“Since as a student at the Basseterre High School, Dane had shown that he has the potential of becoming an excellent basketball player. He was similar to a rough diamond and was polished at the Teach One Reach One Camp.
“His ability is a rear one; for while his substantive position is that of guard, Dane can play in any position due to his versatility.”
He also informed that for most of Rawlins’ career locally, he was a member of the Bird Rock Uprisers and had a short stint with Conaree Fire Balls.
Pemberton wished the Kittitian star every success in his endeavours and hopes that he is drafted in the NBA.
