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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.
LORENA INFANTES
Player Development Coach
As a player development coach at NBA Academy Latin America, Lorena Infantes supports the day-to-day player development and coaching of top high school-age players from across the region. Infantes has extensive coaching experience, including serving as the head coach of the Chile U17 Women's National Team and the Chile Wheelchair Basketball National Team. In 2019, Infantes coached the San Antonio Spurs Summer League team, becoming the first female Hispanic coach to be part of an NBA coaching staffing. In addition to her coaching experience, she is also a certified personal trainer. Infantes played several years of professional basketball in Europe.
MITCH THOMPSON
Player Development Coach
Mitch assists in the development and coaching for the region's top high school-age prospects. Thompson is also the lead assistant coach and head of player development for the Mexico City Capitanes of the NBA G League. Prior to Mexico, Thompson was a player development coach for the Milwaukee Bucks G League affiliate, The Wisconsin Herd and spent time at Oregon State University as the video coordinator and Graduate Assistant. Thompson is the youngest coach in Oregon history to win a high school basketball state championship. Thompson also holds a Masters in interdisciplinary studies and a bachelors in sociology from Oregon State.
COLIN VOSS
Skill Development Coach
Colin is a native of Grand Rapids Michigan. This is his first year as a skill development coach for the NBA Academy Latin America. From 2010-2015, he played three years of division 1 basketball at Central Michigan University and the University of North Texas. Between included a one year stint at Northern Oklahoma College, in which he was an NJCAA All-American. After his collegiate career Colin played 5 years of professional basketball in countries including Italy, Switzerland, Bulgaria, China and Australia. While playing in Australia, Colin served as the director of coaching for his clubs youth program. The past two seasons, he served as a graduate assistant at TCU under coach Jamie Dixon.
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
BRENO CAMPOS f Brazil 18 6'6
JAIDEN COLE g Canada 18 6'4
LUIS DIAZ f Dominican Republic 18 6'6
GABRIEL FERREIRA c Brazil 17 6'9
BAUTISTA GIRALT c Argentina 19 6'11
THOMAS NDONG f Canada 18 6'9
SANTIAGO OCHOA g Mexico 19 6'3
EDIR ORTIZ f Puerto Rico 19 6'6
YANIEL RIVERA g Puerto Rico 18 6'2
CHRIS TADJO f Canada 18 6'8
RICHARD UDOAGWA f Brazil 17 6'7
GUZMAN VASILIC f Uruguay 18 6'5