Catch up with DIBIA Alumni Sam, Kham & Nick as they prepare for their college season!

Catch up with DIBIA Alumni Sam, Kham & Nick as they prepare for their college season!

By: Akilah Laster

The commencement of the basketball season is the culmination of seven months of dedication to training, development, and focus. After all of the invested hours and effort, in November the curtains are drawn and the real show begins. The moment where preparation meets opportunity has arrived. For players it is a time of eagerness and reflection.

For the DIBIA Athletic Development team, it is also a time to catch up with past and current players. It is a chance to remind all of the members that they have earned their place. Whether it be as a junior varsity starter or the sixth man on a professional team, each individual’s position was garnered through months of extensive work.

For one DIBIA alumnus, this season is a chance to make a name for himself at the collegiate level. In high school “Sam Singer” was synonymous with star; after a rollercoaster freshman year, Singer enters his sophomore season as guard for University of California-Berkeley (Cal) determined to build a similar legacy.

“It has been up and down which has been a great learning experience,” said Singer who averaged 9.4 minutes per game his freshman year. “I came in from high school having played every minute of every game and coming to college taught me that I have to compete every day and stay ready.”

Singer credits DIBIA for elevating and preparing him for the collegiate level.

“Every drill we’ve worked on with DIBIA translates into the game and has been relevant in college,” Singer said. “The life lessons are most beneficial because you’re not in high school anymore and you realize everyone here was the best player on their team. So it all depends on you.”

Fellow DIBIA alumnus, Khambrel Roach, shares similar sentiments after finishing his freshman season at Trinity University in San Antonio.

“In college, everyone on every team was ‘the man’ in high school and now we’re all on one even playing field competing to see who exactly the best is,” said Roach, a former teammate of Singer and Stern at Ransom.

While Roach did not see much playing time as a freshman, playing on a senior-laden team, he impressed his coaches with his versatility and confidence. He accredits that to his time with DIBIA.

“The skills acquired by working with DIBIA are a big part of why I feel confident every time I step on the court and probably why my coaches feel I’m one of the more versatile players we have,” Roach said. “I know I’m not in Miami to train with DIBIA while in college, but I do remember how we trained and every day I make sure I touch up on my game by going through the drills we worked on and paying close attention to detail.”

Roach has an opportunity to become an integral part of his team and looks forward to the challenge.

“The feedback from my coaches was that they believe I have potential to be an all-conference guard,” Roach said.

“I feel comfortable on the court and I’m not overthinking things, and because of the time spent working with DIBIA I never have to worry on the court.”

Recent Ransom graduate and DIBIA alum, Nick Stern is preparing to begin his freshman season as a guard for the Franklin and Marshall College Diplomats in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Stern, a former captain for Ransom, says that working with DIBIA made his transition easier.“Drills that DIBIA teaches are all drills that my coach teaches us,” said Stern, who has spent his time adjusting to not being a vocal leader. “Instead of having to explain things to my teammates, I am now the one listening.”

And though Stern has had to surrender some of his vocal leadership he says he is growing.

“I had to realize my place on the team,” Stern said, “but everyone pushes each other and helps each other get better which is definitely something I like.”

But getting to a more centered and balanced place is not an overnight win according to both Singer and Roach.

“College sports are feasible for those who are willing to put in the work and effort to get to that level,” Roach said. “Overall health and fitness is key. Staying in the weight room is key even throughout the season.”

For Singer, adjusting to playing time allotment was an important battle to overcome in order to be successful.

“Playing time can sometimes be unpredictable and you just have to stay ready knowing everything will work out,” Singer said. “Freshmen year is full of ups and downs and you have to keep your head down and work.”

Stern has also found ground as his first collegiate season begins.

“It is never easy,” Stern said. “You must never stop working as hard as you can and you can never give up on anything.”