By Jennifer Golston
Morrilton – There is a new kid on the block in travel basketball and if their fall program was any indication they will be just the jolt that Central Arkansas needed.
D.E.B.S. (stands for Developing Education Beyond Sports) Elite Basketball is the brainchild of Director Mark Rico – a former professional player and now budding Athletic Director who understands that basketball must be a “year-round adventure” for any player who aspires to play at the next level.
The program is still in its infancy stages but Rico and his crew have already begun to set the stage for the players in their program to be successful.
“I moved here a few years ago and as a basketball coach and fan, was pretty disappointed at the amount of serious basketball teams and players in Arkansas. It was very top-heavy. Basically, there were only a handful of programs that were really serious about participating in a continuous basis.” Rico said. “Most of them just played when they could or win softball had a rare break. No knock to softball, but for the kids who are passionate about basketball, it left something to be desired.”
So, after a successful two-year stint with another local AAU team in the area, Rico – who is currently pursuing a master’s in education – decided to forge ahead in making his dream a reality by bringing year-round basketball to the Natural State.
“We had so many people tell us that you don’t know how much we have been waiting for something like this. My child plays softball but her heart is in basketball and they would play it 12 months out of the year if they could.” said Rico, with a grin.
That was music to the ears of the former post player, who toiled in countries such as Turkey, South Korea and Italy before a serious knee injury sidelined him for good in 2009.
From there, Rico knew he wanted to stay around the game and mentor up-and-coming players in his native Texas where he eventually began his own AAU organization – Alamo City Ambassadors after helping out other AAU teams over the next few years.
His new organization would secure seven out of nine tournaments in his first and only full season – including an Elite Eight finish at a National Tournament in Dallas in 2018.
But as they prepared for a second season, Rico and his wife decided to relocate after his father-in-law became ill. Although the decision was a no-brainer, Rico knew that his mission wouldn’t be complete if he didn’t give it a go in his wife’s home state.
“It was pretty apparent that this was what I was born to do even though I don’t always love the stress it brings.” said Rico. “I grew up with a single mother so I basically grew up in the YMCA and Boys and Girls Club atmosphere. I understand how important it is to have someone that has lived what you are living to help guide you through those personable years. I am not perfect but I always try to be that mentor that I had growing up.”
Rico started to put his plan in motion soon after the horn had sounded from the final tournament from his previous organization had ended.
“We literally left the court at Hoop Play Nationals (where they lost in championship game) and headed right over to start practicing for the fall program.” laughed Rico. “We were so excited to get started with our vision on our terms.”
That’s where Dawg House Basketball – a well established training program based in Little Rock – came in.
Rico stumbled upon a few training videos that were posted by the program’s owner Chris Davis – and it struck a chord with him almost immediately.
“I knew right away from the videos that he was a very detailed trainer – which is something that is rare at the youth level – but what really stood out was the fact that he actually pulled over and did an “on the spot” training session with a couple of kids who were playing at a playground during a cold winter afternoon.” Rico said. “I knew then he was my guy. Anyone who would do something so selfless and spontaneous had to have his heart in the right place. He’s a huge, huge part of what we are trying to do and our players, parents and coaches all swear by him.”
Davis himself is also a former professional player but has worked with a host of amateur and well-known NBA and WNBA players.
This past weekend, DEBS Elite held their first “showcase” for their elementary and middle school girls. The exhibition round-robin tournament was a culmination of the training they have embarked on over the last few months and what Rico hopes will give them a head start on getting ready for the upcoming school season.
“The great group of girls who chose to take part in fall workouts will be all the better for it.” said Rico. “We are setting the groundwork for their future. My coaches and I will be attending as many of their school games as we can. Each and every player deserves support from their coaches and director. We will be that presence.”
The organization began its Boys Fall program two weeks ago and hopes to field three boys teams in addition to their seven girls teams that are scheduled to begin play in the Spring of 2022.
The plan according to Rico, is to make sure that all of his Elite players have the chance to play top notch competition with college scouts in attendance.
“I don’t believe in handicapping players who have a gift in playing this game.” Rico said. “They deserve the right to be challenged and given and chance to be seen, no matter how old they are. And I believe that with the level of training that they will get along with the experienced, strong support staff we have, it will be great to see where they are in a year or two. But parents have to trust the process and understand that basketball is a seven day a week job if you want to play at the next level.”
Not only will DEBS Elite teams appear in some of the most prestigious tournaments in the country, Rico wants to make sure that his players develop themselves both on and off the court.
“We will do mandatory community service projects each month as an organization, we will challenge our kids and also hold them accountable in the classroom.” said Rico.
To contact Rico for a tryout or for more information e-mail him at DebsEliteBasketball@gmail.com
2022 D.E.B.S. ELITE COACHING ROSTER:
3rd/4th Grade Girls – Mariah Jeffcoat
5th/6th Grade ELITE Girls – Shawn Morris
5th/6th SELECT Girls – Marvin Hall
7th/8th Grade Girls – Mariah Jeffcoat
7th Grade SELECT Girls – Mark Rico
9th Grade Girls SELECT – TBA
9th Grade Girls NATIONAL – Mark Rico
High School Girls NATIONAL – Marvin Hall, Kaneitra Curtis
3rd/4th Grade Boys – Damian Wright
5th/6th Grade SELECT Boys – Christian Kelley
7th/8th Grade Boys – Cobey Pintado
High School Boys – Cobey Pintado
Faulkner County Focus Sports 