Coach Reece begins Brunei's '15 Strong' programme

THE search is on for the best cagers in the country to fill the roster of the national basketball team as they had their first training sessions earlier this week.

Kevin Reece, the national basketball coach, had revealed that the motto for the new year was "15-strong" where only the best 15 players would be selected and developed to represent the Sultanate.

So far so good for the American as he looks to rectify any problems that have arisen since last year.

"First we'll have to address the issues. We need more leaders from our point guards as they are not giving the ball enough to the big man. We also have to work on our freethrows and scoring on our fastbreaks. We need to get better in all of that," said Reece, during an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.

"Our defence also needs work. We want to tweak to get it better so that we can sustain it for 40 minutes and it's important that we move back to the basic fundamentals," he added.

There were also new additions to the training scheme making it a bigger pool for selection but the new faces will face a tough task ahead to show that they belong, compared to those that have already fit into the system.

"We have some new faces and they have yet to adapt. They will have to work on their defensive stance and we're also working on our fitness as a team. Some may be struggling in certain areas but we're getting stronger," said Reece.

The programme also includes more competitions outside of the country. First on the list would be the Vietnam Copper Classic basketball tournament scheduled for March in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, followed by an eight-day tour to Wellington, New Zealand.

"Our programme this year is geared up for more tournaments. We're hoping to go abroad for more competitions," said Reece.

"We need to be on top of teams such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam in the region. I believe that the level of competition coming from those teams are similar in terms of height and talent," added the 50-year-old.

The Los Angeles native has also set strict rules and regulations which he stressed was necessary for players to abide by.

"The players need to show good discipline and take care of their body. I'm an intense coach and I will holler and challenge those who don't follow the coaching staff's instructions," he said.

"Players are only allowed to miss three training sessions without an excuse. Even if they do, they will have to let the staff know three hours beforehand. They are responsible young men and I don't want to babysit them," added the American.

The national coach also stressed the importance of players' commitment when it comes to the sport.

"We're weeding out the players and we need those who have the passion and love for the game instead of those taking the sport as a hobby. Some will stay and the half hearted ones will leave," concluded Reece.

The squad of the "15-squad" programme will be selected just before or after the Borneo City Cup in August.The Brunei Times