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About NBA Academy Latin America

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and La Loma Centro Deportivo (La Loma), a world-class athletic facility renowned for hosting top athletes from around the world, announced a multiyear partnership that makes La Loma the official home of NBA Academy Latin America, an elite basketball training program for top prospects from throughout Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, South America and Canada.

La Loma’s state-of-the-art sports complex in San Luis Potosí features multiple basketball courts, a weight room, educational facilities, dining areas and housing that will be used by NBA Academy Latin America prospects and coaches beginning in January 2021.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with La Loma to continue developing the next generation of Latin American players and helping them reach their potential as players and leaders,” said Arnon de Mello, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, NBA Latin America. “La Loma’s premier sports complex will provide top prospects from across the region with the resources they need to develop on the court and in the classroom.”

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Coaching Staff

WALTER ROESE
Technical Director
As the technical director of NBA Academy Latin America, Walter Roese oversees all aspects of player development and coaching for top high school-age prospects from across the region. Prior to joining NBA Academy Latin America, Roese coached at several NCAA Division I colleges, including the University of Hawaii, University of Nebraska, University of San Diego and Brigham Young University. He also spent time as an international scout for the Utah Jazz. Roese, who is from Brazil, was the head coach of the Brazil Men’s National Team for three World University Games as well as South America and Copa America U19 tournaments. Roese also coached at several high-profile international basketball development events including Adidas Nations and The EuroLeague Basketball Adidas Next Generation. As a student-athlete, Roese played for the University of Houston, West Texas A&M University and Brigham Young University-Hawaii, where he graduated cum laude. He went on to play professionally in Brazil and for the Brazil National Team. Roese holds an MBA from BYU and speaks Portuguese, English and Spanish.
Conor Dow
Assistant Coach
Conor Dow leads the day-to-day player development & coaching for the elite prospects of NBA Academy Latin America. Dow has coached at both the college and professional level over the course of his career. After serving as team captain for the Cougar Men's Basketball program & graduating from Clark University in 2015, he joined the staff at Lafayette College as Director of Basketball Operations. He spent two seasons (2015-17) with the Leopards before joining the Dallas Mavericks' Player Development staff in 2017-2018. Dow then served as an Assistant Coach & Director of Player Development for the Mavericks' G League affiliate, the Texas Legends, from 2018-20.   Dow then joined the Saskatchewan Rattlers staff in the CEBL (Canadian Elite Basketball League) in April 2021 as the Lead Assistant Coach/Defensive Coordinator before being promoted to Interim Head Coach that summer. In October 2021, Dow was named an assistant coach at Ithaca College. Dow joins the Latin America staff from Johns Hopkins University, where the 2022-2023 Blue Jays Men's Basketball team went 25-5 en route to a NCAA "sweet 16" appearance and Coaching Staff of the Year honors in the Centennial Conference
Cherif Diallo
Player Development Coach
Cherif is a Player Development Coach of the NBA Academy Latin America. He participates in the planning, implementing, and executing the NBA player development curriculum. Prior to becoming a coach with the NBA Academy, Cherif served at SEED Academy Senegal as head Coach and player development coach.
FRANCISCO TERRON SALAS
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist by the NSCA, Francisco is the full-time strength and conditioning coach for the NBA Academy Latin American in Mexico. He studied Sport Sciences at the University of Granada, Spain and graduated with a Masters Degree in 3 areas: Injury Prevention, Personal Training and Sport Physiology. With a focus in basketball, he has worked with developmental, female, youth and professional basketball such as Capitanes and Astros de Jalisco.

NBA Academy Latin America

Player Name Position Country of Origin Age Height
Maxandre Calixte f Canada 17 6'7
Luis Diaz f Dominican Republic 19 6'6
Jahmai Drayton f Trinidad & Tobago 16 6'8
Rhiaughn Ferguson f Bahamas 18 6'7
Gabriel Ferreira c Brazil 18 6'9
Luis Finol g Colombia 17 6'1
Abdou Kebe g Senegal 19 6'7
Eduardo Klafke g Brazil 18 6'5
Stephen Osei f Canada 19 6'9
Roy Rojo g Mexico 16 6'0
Mouhamed Sylla f/c Senegal 19 6'10
Chris Tadjo f Canada 19 6'8
Augusto Toledo Congalves f Brazil 17 6'6
Santiago Tricot f Uruguay 17 6'7
Richard Udoagwa f Brazil 19 6'7