Guam nat’l coach to hold hoops clinic Saturday

Guam Basketball Confederation and national coach E.J. Calvo is the winningest coach in Guam national team history, with over 40 wins and only three losses in FIBA-sanctioned competitions. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Guam Basketball Confederation and national coach E.J. Calvo will be conducting a basketball coaches clinic this Saturday, April 15, at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The free clinic, which is being held in collaboration with the Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation, will be from 9am to 12pm.

Topics to be covered include introduction to performance training, player skill development, defensive principles, drills, and strategies, early offense, team offensive drills and strategies, and practice planning.

Calvo has been a successful player, coach, and administrator of Guam basketball since returning to Guam in 2002.

He is the winningest coach in Guam national team history, with over 40 wins and only three losses in FIBA-sanctioned competitions.

Calvo is also the only Guam coach to ever win two gold medals in the Pacific Games as well as three gold medals in the Micronesian Games.

With 12 wins in FIBA Asia competition, Team Guam is currently ranked No. 12 in Asia and No. 79 in the FIBA World Rankings.

As president of the Guam Basketball Confederation, Calvo continues to raise the level of the sport, and work with players of all ages in Guam and the region.

Calvo said he’s looking forward to hosting the basketball clinic this weekend.

“I’m on Saipan for business and have committed to work with the NMIBF when possible. NMIBF president James Lee is working hard to improve the sport in the CNMI. When we recently met in Guam, we discussed how important youth coaches and trainers are in terms of establishing a foundation and culture for the future. I look forward to sharing knowledge and experience with coaches and trainers of various levels this weekend, and perhaps I can work with players in the future!” he said. 

Lee, for his part, said while Guam is a rival in sports it’s still a friendly rivalry and both U.S. territories help each other out.

“The NMIBF is extremely grateful and honored to have Guam Basketball Confederation president and men’s national head coach E.J. Calvo, to come down and assist us with the clinic and guidance as well for our federation. Guam and the CNMI along with other national sports federations may be rivals when competing on the court, but outside the court, we’re a family with the same goals,” he said.

There are limited seating available for this weekend’s basketball clinic and those interested are advised to RSVP the NMIBF by email or Facebook at nmibasketballfederation@gmail.com/nmibasketballfederation.