“Due to the pandemic we decided to have this YouTube series so we can reach out to more basketball fans while complying with the social distancing rules,” league co-commissioner Clint Albert said.
“We also want to further promote the beauty of the island and the level of talent we have here,” he added.
Sixteen players will be featured in the first five episodes of the YouTube series.
The Blue Eagles’ Douglas Schmidt takes the shot while surrounded by Eats Easy x The Game defenders during a UFO-IT&E Basketball League game in 2019 at the Ada gym. Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
They were selected based on their personal basketball awards and achievements, skills, scoring capability and probable one-on-one competitiveness. Player availability and commitment to the schedules also played a factor.
Episode 1 is titled “The Process,” and will be longer than most episodes. It will show the selection process, the format and introduction to the tournament, and the first round of match ups for bracket A.
Albert said the goal is to “inspire the next generation of ballers, promote the Marianas, bring our off-island people closer to home, and create a better awareness of how to be the best basketball player one could be.”
