Rebel-ing in Oakland

Kevin McCarthy
 

Raymond Young has been teaching basketball seemingly forever although it’s not true that he once coached Methusaleh in the finer aspects of roundball. Presently, he is the head coach of the Oakland Rebels basketball club and as well-respected a basketball figure and mentor as can be found anywhere

Working alongside Young with the Rebels are Phil Taylor, Anthony Taplin and Damon Jones. "Damon and Phil works with the guards, Tap and I work with the post players," Young said, explaining "we all play a big part in developing the kids. Phil coached these kids earlier -- I’ve only had them for the past two years and I’m trying to get them ready for the next phase. We emulate a college practice -- it’s hard work but they have bought into it."

Young definitely lives the philosophy of sharing praise: "We all appreciate how hard these kids have worked for the coaches and staff."

But it’s a mutual admiration society. The other consequential aspect about Young and his effect on others is that, yes, everyone loves Raymond. Simply put, there is not another as well thought of figure in Bay Area basketball circles as the Rebels head man. He is the elder statesman of coaches in the Bay Area and a mentor and father figure to many players.

Another element in the Rebels’ tradition is that the players are much, much more than just what is witnessed on the court. "Every player has a 3.0 or above grade point average in school," Young offered.

Also, the team functions as one. "The kids are like brothers and they push each other to be better," according to Young. "Nobody let’s anyone take a play off.’

Additionally, the squad also works off the court on strength and conditioning with Advanced Sports Training’s Anthony Eggleton, who Young calls "definitely one of the best around."

Here are the 2010 Rebels, with Young providing the player descriptions:

Hameed Ali, 6-foot-2, 160, San Leandro High, 2011: a combo guard who can score and has a great feel for the game, he can score in bunches and also run a team

Juan Anderson, 6-foot-7, 192, Castro Valley High, 2011: a multiple position swing player with great court vision who is effective inside and outside and has developed his perimeter game -- he is also able to create for himself and others

Marcellous Clay, 6-foot-8, 185, Skyline High, 2011: he is a rebounding machine at the 4 spot who is starting to develop his post game and offensive package

Brendan Keane, 6-foot-10, 240, St. Joseph’s Notre Dame High, 2011: he is a hard worker and quick learner -- a coach’s dream who is probably our most improved player, he has a great jump hook as a go-to move and shows good hands and runs well

Reed McConnell, 6-foot-5, 180, Sacred Heart Prep, 2011: the West Bay Athletic league most valuable player, he is a shooter with range beyond the three-point line and is improving taking defenders off the dribble -- with greater defensive improvement, he will help at a D-1 university, he’s a high academic guy with interest from teams in the Ivy League

Khion Sankey, 6-foot-4, 215, 2010, Newark Memorial High, 2010: a leader and a warrior on the court, he’s a point forward willing to play inside and outside and is also a great defender -- he is one tough player

TJ Taylor, 5-foot-10, 163, Oakland High, 2011: quick and athletic, he can run a team and possesses a great skills package -- he shoots the ball with great consistency and also creates opportunities for getting his own shot plus openings for his teammates

Dominique Taplin, 6-foot-1, 170, Oakland High, 2011, committed to Santa Clara: an athletic 2 guard who can score off the catch and dribble and who is also a great rebounder and defender

The tournaments the Rebels will play in this spring and summer are:

• Rumble In The Bay, May 29-31
• Adidas Invitational, July 6-8, Indianapolis
• Adidas 64, Las Vegas, July 22-26
• The Best of Summer, Anaheim, July 27-30
• Double Pump Camp