After building a competitive youth basketball program in the U.S. Virgin Islands and taking teams to tournaments across the U.S. mainland, MyIsland Ballers Inc. hit a major roadblock when Hurricanes Irma and Maria forced many players and coaches to relocate. Now, under the leadership of President Maurice Wells and Vice President Jeffrey Jones, the organization is charting a new course to keep its vision alive.
“We wanted to start at a younger age. When MyIsland Ballers was a travel team, the players came to see me in Florida, but it was too late. Most of the scholarships were already given out,” said Jones. “The only way to make this happen is to give them exposure at a younger age. Why not bring that event to the Virgin Islands to give them that exposure?”
“Travel programs just get those couple of kids that get to go away. So, bringing the tournament to the territory allows teams from abroad to come in, giving those players who are able to travel a chance to play against quality opponents here,” Wells added.
MyIsland Ballers presents the second annual Summer Madness Hoops Classic 2025. The tournament features 12 teams competing in three divisions. The 11U Division will feature The Process from St. Thomas, Positive Guidance out of St. Croix, and Bowie, all the way from Maryland. The Process, Guidance, and Bowie have also entered a team in the 12U Division. Joining them are Out the Mud, based in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), and Alliance from St. Croix. Sports Vision Academy from the BVI will do battle against The Process, Guidance, and Bowie in the 14U Division.
“The end goal is to follow the Little League structure, where they have peewee league, T-ball, and Little League. We want to have a structured discipline training structure for basketball here in the Virgin Islands,” said Wells when asked about the future goals for this program.”
The tournament starts on Friday at 5 p.m. at Antilles School’s MCM Center.
Admission is $5.00 for kids. Adults pay $10.00 on Friday and $ 15.00 on Saturday and Sunday. The weekend pass is available for just $30.00.
MyIsland Ballers expressed their appreciation to the following tournament supporters:
The V.I. Education Department
The Virgin Islands Lottery
The V.I. Sports, Parks, and Recreation Department
Marriott Vacation Club
One Communication
Merchant Commercial Bank,
Alliance Point Charters
Antilles School
Vividstreaming
Family Redemption Foundation
Haugland Group
Qyteventful
Caribbean USSSA Basketball
Games for Friday:
Out the Mud vs Guidance – 12U Division
Bowie vs Process – 11U Division
Process vs Alliance – 12U Division
Bowie vs Guidance – 12U Division
Bowie vs SVA – 14U Division
St. Croix Source
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