In a growing portent of just how far basketball has come for Turks and Caicos, the AIB Sonics are slated for a highly anticipated series against Division 1 Seattle University.
The marquee matchup, which will showcase an array of under the radar talent assembled by local hoops pioneer and head coach Ciaran O’Neill, will take place at Providenciales Turks and Caicos Island on August 17-23rd.
Beyond the visibility, competition, pride, and bragging rights component of the event, the first event on the Islands since the eruption of Covid in January of 2020 will elicit tremendous community engagement.
“I am extremely honored to be able to coach vs a NCAA University,” said O’Neill, whose role expands well beyond that of a coach as a mentor, father figure, community advocate, and promotional boss to nearly all of the players under his tutelage.
“I am grateful as well for our Turks & Caicos Island Basketball Federation giving me this opportunity once again. I have been waiting patiently for my next opportunity.”
O’Neill, who frequently has a significant hand in placing his players to scholarship opportunities in the United States and beyond, has several veteran and U-18 prospects with appeal and upside.
One noteworthy prospect who the Sonics will feature as an interior scorer and double double threat is 6-foot-10 Jessy Maximin.
An athletic and fluid forward/center, the veteran is a high percentage scorer with a back to the rim scoring arsenal and above the rim game. With his proficiency in the catch and dunk game, Maximin gets off the ground quickly and is always on watch for a thunderous, momentum-bolstering finish.
Carlly Noel is another guy to keep tabs on in the Sonics’ fleet of high level and athletic guys in the U-18 age class.
A freakish open floor finisher with a knack for turning in that loud dunk, Noel is known for extravagant plays which have a lasting impact on the game.
He’s tuned up his all around package, becoming a more reliable mid range and outside shooter. Noel brings a certain thrill factor to the game. If anyone can rev up the crowd in this event, it is him.
In the explosive Jameel Damon, the AIB Sonics feature a bouncy and ferocious above rim finisher with burst and defensive versatility. Damon brings a wealth of experience, having won four U-20 championships and been a reliable featured scorer in the past.
O’Neill envisions Damon having a breakout game in the event, putting forth the gaudy statistics he is capable of and eventually being signed to a professional contract. He brings high level athleticism that enables him to play instinctively on both sides of the floor and a pro-ready build.
South Caicos native and 6-foot-7 workmanlike big Alvardo Parker is among the top veterans playing in the event. Parker played at TCU during his collegiate heyday, where he was a supplementary scorer and active presence on the glass.
O’Neill said he’s happy to be back on the sidelines following the layoff, molding a group he’s coached for a long time now.
“Before Covid came my men’s team in our league that had started in January 2020 was 2-0 and many predicted us to win that league in 2020,” O’Neill explained.
“I couldn’t tell you how many times during the break I spoke with my men’s players everyone kept imagining how fun it would have been to finish that season in 2020. For this tournament, our only goal is to come out as champions and win it for the Turks & Caicos Islands. This would be a huge accomplishment when it happens.”
