Nike Basketball Camp The Playground Whitby

Coach Guiam's passion for teaching began 15 years ago, over which time he has ran camps, clinics, and workshops throughout Canada and Asia. As a former basketball player and coach at the college level and semi-pro level he too focuses and prides on skill development for all ages, as he strongly believes in improving players both on and off the court should start. He too has worked with many NCAA and Pro level athletes like Andrew Nicholson (Orlando Magic), Jevohn Shepherd (University of Michigan), Mike Fraser (Overseas), Jamal Reynolds (NBDL), Brandon Tull (Spain), Ajahmo Clarke (NBDL), Gabe Osabuohien (Arkansas), Shakur Daniels (Southern Miss.), Kevin Thomas (Troy University), and Jonathan Tull (Central Connecticut).

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Jelani Matthews was born and raised in Toronto, Canada where he played 3 years at Sheridan College. He won 1 OCAA Championship NBA in their Basketball Without Borders event and with their NBA Academy with players in USA, Canada, in Africa. Matthews was born and raised in Toronto, Canada where he played 3 years at Sheridan College. He won 1 OCAA Championship and 1 OCAA Silver and was named 2X OCAA All star, and 1 Team MVP. He played in the English Basketball League for Newham Neptunes, winning the Div 2 championship and 3rd place National Cup finish before transitioning to player development coach for King Nation Basketball. Jelani currently runs his own player development company ICanBall, in Toronto and has worked for the NBA in their Basketball Without Borders event and with their NBA Academy with players in USA, Canada, in Africa.

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Miguel is an extremely giftedcommunicator with a natural ability to form an authentic connectionwith anyone from all walks of life. He is a graduate of the renowned DaleCarnegie course specializing in learning how to build trust and motivatingpeople to act.  Upon completion of the course, Miguel became ajunior instructor after only one year leading and coaching businessmen andwomen from major companies at the age of 24.

As a professional speaker and coach, he hashad the honour of imparting hope into the lives of youth and young adultsthrough school assemblies, conferences, churches, community organizations,foster care agencies and even prisons and youth detention centers.  

Miguel has a very unique view on coaching andwhat it means to be a coach.  Being able to yell, shout, scream, jump upand down, break clipboards and put on a show for those in the gym is not whatit's about.  He believes that it is not something that you do, itis who you are. The mantle of coaching is a calling that comes withgreat responsibility and is not to be taken lightly.  

"It is an absolute honour andprivilege when I am blessed with the opportunity to serve throughcoaching.  I understand that my actions, words and attitude can and willhave a lasting impact on those that are under my tutelage and that is somethingthat I take very serious"

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Nakissa Koomalsingh, also known as Keesa K, is the Founder of HOOPQUEENS. Before entering her entrepreneurial journey in July 2020, Nakissa graduated with a Degree in Business Administration and a certificate in Entrepreneurial Finance.Growing up, she played for the popular YAAACE organization.Throughout her post-secondary education, she had the privilege of going to school away from home and being a varsity student-athlete. She started her post-secondary journey on the East Coast of Canada in Prince Edward Island attending Holland College. A couple of years later, she completed her post-secondary journey at the University of Nipissing and decided to hang up her jersey after her career-ending injury.

Prior to starting HOOPQUEENS, Nakissa knew there was a niche waiting to be served. There were no spaces specifically for pro and varsity athletes to train and compete, so she created it. Being a former varsity athlete, she understands the struggles of female athletes and knows what they need to be successful in their academic and athletic careers.Today, Nakissa is focused on using the game of basketball to change the narrative of women in sport. Being a Black woman navigating through race and gender inequities isn't always easy but Nakissa is on a mission to empower and encourage women to be confident when creating their own lane.

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