Two Questions One BSL Coach Is Asking His Players This Season: What Makes You Tick? Why Is This So Important To You?
With training camp underway for the ‘24-’25 season, Glass City Head Coach Freddie Zamora is looking for a few good men to go to war with on the court. But he has some questions first.
Toledo, Ohio – When the Glass City Wranglers open their first season playing as a member of the Basketball Super League, the uncertainty of the 2024-2025 season looms larger than life for an organization known for making big noise around the game in Ohio. Just look at their overall track record for player development while competing in The Basketball League the past two seasons, and in particular as the Wranglers enter their fifth year of existence as a pro club.
Not many teams played as tough and as together as Glass City did last season. They were unbreakable in that way, even despite their setbacks. There’s an unmatched level of culture and pride in what Team Market Owner, Joshua Radtkin, and Head Coach, Freddie Zamora have helped create and shape since teaming up.
The development on the court has matched the outreach in the community and it shows with each season.
No offense to the casual fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Ohio State Buckeye loyalists, or even those rooting for the defending state high school boys champs, St. Ignatius Wildcats, to repeat this winter. But for the die-hards supporters in Toledo who will be proudly cheering on the Wranglers during home games at Maumee Valley Country Day School, there will undoubtedly be plenty to cheer about this year. Glass City tips-off on the road against Kitchener Waterloo on November 23 before returning to host two home games with Newfoundland (November, 26) and Jamestown (December,1). Yet it’s the two games on the schedule against the London Lightning that are worth marking your calendar for. The Wranglers travel to Ontario on December 21 to take on the reigning BSL champions, who will make their lone visit to Toledo on February 27.
Until then, Glass City is knee deep with training camp getting underway this week following a number of offseason signings announced across BSL over the last two weeks including Glass City’s own Dalonte Brown, John Washington, Jaiveon Eaves, and All-Americans, Jaylen Alston and Kyle Meyer.
“Seeing some of the signings taking place throughout the league gets everyone energized and ready to go for the season. A lot of teams have signed a mixture of players but I have definitely noticed the signings of more vets and guys with experience at this level or higher,” said Coach Zamora.
“We had the chance to battle guys like Billie White with London and Jeremy Harris with Windsor a couple of years ago while we were in the TBL and both of those guys are passionate and can really play. It just shows you that teams are all seeking players that understand what BSL is about and what is needed to compete here.”
For the Wranglers, camp is a time to set the tone for the season and strive to keep it there. That’s where the new guys come into play. The buy-in is already there. And so is the talent.
“Jaiveon (Eaves) is hungry. That is what stuck out the most about him to me,” Zamora explained about the former Murray State guard, who previously played in the NBA G-League (Motor City) and TBL (Owensboro).
“When choosing athletes I have to know what is driving them. How serious are they taking this opportunity to propel their careers? He is a father and I feel he just needed an opportunity that fit him. After calling around it verified what I needed to hear. I’ve also been able to watch him play live a couple of times and his style of play, I believe will fit both us and him nicely. I’m excited for the Glass City community to welcome him.”
Winston-Salem State’s Jaylen Alston is another fresh face for the Wranglers and someone to put on your rookie-watch list. A CIAA Player of the Year, the 6’4 lefty guard led the conference in rebounding (8.3 per game) and field goal percentage (58%), while averaging 17.5 points per game, earning him an HBCU All-Star and All American selection.
“Jaylen is another impact player and 6’4 lefty. I had the pleasure of coaching Jaylen in The Basketball Tournament (TBT) this summer and I couldn’t help but notice the motor and sense of urgency he plays with,” Coach Zamora said. “What also stuck out for me is, what his character and passion means. He is calm, cool and collected on the bench or around others, but on the court he is a fierce competitor and is ready to go to war.”
You can another All-American to the roster as well, with former Ohio Northern University forward and OAC Player of the Year, Kyle Meyer, joining Glass City. Point guard John Washington gives the Wranglers a steady presence on the floor, in the locker room, and around the community. When he’s not putting in work on both ends of the court, he is working closely with the next generation of community leaders as the Dean of Students at Western Toledo Preparatory Academy.
“He's a leader, a mentor, and an inspiration to us all. His dedication to the game and the community is unmatched. We're beyond lucky to have him back,” TMO Joshua Radtkin said of the signing.
At 6’7, forward Dalonte Brown is also back again for the Wranglers. The former University of Miami (OH) big man remains a local legend from Bowsher High School who went on to become a 1,000-point scorer, an 800-rebounder, and the all-time record holder for most games played in Miami history.
“Dalonte has dreams and aspirations to take his game to the next level and that is what intrigued us about him returning,” Coach Zamora shared.
“Actions always speak louder than words and like many on our team, I feel like he is taking the necessary steps to make that happen.”
In addition, the Wranglers also announced the return of Devonte Pratt, Clemmye Owens V, and Luke Maranka in early October to help round out the roster. Glass City also solidified their coaching staff, with Terry Awls recently announced and Coach Ben Scofield returning on a part time basis after landing a head coaching job at North Central High School. Regardless if a coach or player is returning from last season, has pro experience, or is merely a rookie getting his start, some things don’t change for Coach Zamora in Toledo even with the new season approaching. There’s a few battles coming on the court in 2024-25 and guys will be counted upon to be in those foxholes – in the practices, in the games, and in the community.
That’s what comes with being a professional in the Basketball Super League.
That’s why there’s a couple of quick questions to answer from Coach Zamora first.
“I have to know what makes them tick. Why is this opportunity so important for them? It helps me understand where they are trying to go, what I need to do on my end to help them get there and so we can assure accountability. Knowing they are hungry tells us they want to be here and are choosing to be here,” he said.
“No one is making them be here and no one has to hold their hand. They know through hard work and adversity that their future is their own.”
Wendell Maxey is the author of Around The Basketball League and has written about professional basketball and sports for over 20 years. He’s been featured on NBA.com, ESPN.com, USA Today, FOX Sports, and SLAM Magazine among other publications and media outlets. A published author, Wendell’s work is currently featured in SLAM Magazine’s 30th Anniversary book on display at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. You can connect with him on Twitter and LinkedIn or read through his archive on Linktree.