James Vear & Neal Hopkins to Lead U19 Teams at Hoopsfix All-Star Classic

James Vear and Neal Hopkins have been announced as the coaches for the under-19 game at Saturday’s Hoopsfix All-Star Classic.

The duo are two highly respected young coaches, both involved with the junior national team set up.

Vear takes to the sideline as the U19 Black Team coach having served as Lloyd Gardner’s assistant at NBL Division 1 playoff title side Kent Crusaders for the last part of the season, as well as being GB U20 assistant, where he helped them to promotion to Division A in 2013.

A Coach of the Year in Denmark, where he was at the helm of Aalborg Vikings, as well a stint in Canada before that, all contributes to Vear being recognised as one of the top up and coming coaches in the country.

He will coach the talented Black Team, which is as follows:

• Sedale Hanson-Young, 6’1″, G, Team Birmingham
• Shaquille Walters, 6’4″, G, Peckham Pride
• Liam Carpenter, 6’2″, G, Crailsheim Merlins (Germany)
• Jules Dang Akodo, 6’2″, G, Fraport Skyliners (Germany)
• Kyle Carey, 6’6″, G, Preston’s College Titans
• Cameron King, 6’8″, F, Preston’s College Titans
• Earl Russell, 6’7″, F, Myerscough College
• Hamad Ali, 6’5″, F, Manchester Magic
• Myles Laurent-Smart, 5’10”, G, West Oaks Academy (US)
• Nathan Smith, 7’1″, C, Kent Crusaders
• Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye, 6’3″, G, Bristol Flyers

Meanwhile, Hopkins – the new Lancashire Spinners Head Coach – is another of the country’s brightest young coaching talents.

Hopkins will be the U19 White Team Coach having recently led Myerscough College to the EABL title, while also being an assistant with the England Under-18s this summer.

His White Team will give him plenty of firepower, with the roster as follows:

• Denzel Ubiaro, 6’1″, G, Westminster Warriors
• Sam Newman, 6’2″, G, Ipswich
• Akwasi Yeboah, 6’5″, G/F, Kent Crusaders
• Ola Ayodele, 6’4″, G/F, London Greenhouse Pioneers
• Joe Swindells, 6’2″, G, Manchester Magic
• Calvin Nevill-Kintu, 5’11”, G, Kent Crusaders
• Josh Steel, 6’4″, G, Kent Crusaders
• Deane Williams, 6’8″, F, Bristol Flyers
• Karolis Kundrotas, 6’11”, F/C, Kent Crusaders
• Alex Roberts, 6’2″, G, Myerscough College
• Emmanuel Kabengele, 6’6″, F, Myerscough College

Tickets are still available but going fast – they will not be available on the door – you can buy now by clicking here!

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