PRESS RELEASES 2005

U.S. Basketball Champs to Connect with Kids in Jamaica

July 21, 2001

Young Jamaicans will engage in sports and healthy lifestyle instruction with U.S. college basketball MVPs RaMell Ross and Alvin Green next week (July 27-29).  The U.S. Embassy is bringing the two to Jamaica as part of the U.S. State Department’s Culture Connect program, which utilizes the talents of exceptional Americans to engage young people around the globe.

Mr. Ross and Mr. Green will kick off their visit with a basketball camp at Kingston’s National Stadium on Wednesday, July 27, in collaboration with the Jamaica Basketball Association.  40 boys and girls between the ages of 15 and 19, 20 high school coaches, and 12 National Basketball League coaches will participate in the full day training session, which includes a healthy lifestyle section delivered by the Ministry of Health.

On Thursday, the basketball stars will conduct clinics for young people in August Town with support from the August Town Sports and Community Development Foundation and in the Kingston community of Allman Town with assistance from U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers.  The visit will culminate on Friday with a full day basketball and health clinic in Grants Pen with support from USAID and the USAID-sponsored Police Executive Research Forum (PERF). 

As a youth in Fairfax, Virginia, RaMell Ross was a top 100 nationally ranked high school basketball player and the recipient of the Patriot District Co-MVP award, the Northern region MVP award, and a nomination to the McDonald All American team.  He played basketball for the Georgetown Hoyas and served as co-captain.  In addition to his sports achievements, Mr. Ross participated in a peer-helping program, was the co-founder of a chess club, and was selected to the 2003-2004 All Big East Academic Team.

Alvin Green grew up in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where he led his high school basketball team to a lower state title in 1998.  He was a member of the Coastal Carolina University basketball team for five seasons, served as team co-captain, and was voted MVP of the squad by his peers.  Mr. Green was a member of the University’s Student Athletic Advisory Council, received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and interned for Congressman Henry Brown, Jr. in the summer of 2004.