A beacon of hope for basketball in Trinidad and Tobago as young 17-year-old Spartans TT Centre, Aaron Antoine received an official invitation to attend the National Basketball Association Elite Development team at the NBA Academy Latin America in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, for a training camp from March 25-30, 2022. This opportunity presented itself after his coaches and local administrators put together a player profile and videos of his basketball, athletics, and academic achievements and shared it with the NBA staff.
Aaron is a six-foot eleven inches dual athlete. While he has received this once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase his talents in basketball, Aaron is also an elite long jumper and high jumper attached to Neon Wolves Athletic club. In February, Aaron emerged as the standout athlete at the National Association of Athletics Administrations of Trinidad and Tobago (NAAATT) Preparation Meet #2, held at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Tobago, on Sunday. He achieved the Carifta Games qualifying standards in the Boys’ Under-20 long jump and high jump events. Jumping 7.15 metres to win the long jump and clearing the bar at 2.00m to top the high jump. Aaron was also a member of the National Under 17 boys’ basketball team and showcased his talents locally. Aaron is expected to have a busy few week ahead, which can have a life-changing impact, as he is also expected to attend the CARIFTA Games set to take place in Kingston, Jamaica, from April 16.
This humble young man has a bright future ahead of him with a solid athletic background backed by his academic success. Aaron is now attending Presentation College San Fernando after receiving six ones and a two at the CSEC examinations at Waterloo Secondary. “This is a god-sent gift to allow me to develop my understanding of the game further and allow me to learn from some of the best coaches in the game,” said Aaron. “This is an excellent opportunity that has presented itself for Aaron. We hope he has a good showing and opens the doors for others like him to follow. We are continuously creating opportunities to put our kids in front of elite programs, college and university coaches. That’s why we do what we do to allow our kids to benefit from the athletic achievements,” expressed coach Garvin Warwick. Warwick also alluded to developing a platform to create more digital profiles to showcase Trinidad and Tobago and Caribbean athletes.