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Our Team

Executive Director

Bruce Hicks

Coach Bruce Hicks: Building Champions Through Fundamentals

Bruce Hicks started the program to provide an intense focus on FUNDAMENTALS and to emphasize the lessons of integrity, work ethic, teamwork, leadership, and self-knowledge that can be taught through basketball. He loves the kids and understands all the dynamics that go into building a strong program.

Experience & Credentials:

  • Professional Coaching Experience: Bruce has coached at various prestigious camps, including:

    • Philadelphia 76ers Camp

    • Kenny Smith Carolina Basketball Camp

    • New York Knicks Basketball Camp

    • New Jersey Nets Clinics

    • Five-Star Camp

    • Pocono’s Invitational Camp

    • Basketball City Youth Development League

  • Professional Playing Career:

    • Played professionally for the Harlem/Tampa Bay Strong Dogs and Jersey Skycats

    • College basketball player at New Jersey City University, winning the Division Three ECAC Championship in 1994

Coaching Career:

  • Advance Prep Academy (2025 - Present) Head Post Grad Boy's Basketball Coach

  • Middlesex College (2020 - 2022): Assistant Men's Basketball Coach

  • College of Mount Saint Vincent (2018 - 2019): Assistant Men's Basketball Coach

  • Essex Community College (2012 - 2017):

    • Assistant Coach at National Powerhouse

    • Achievements: 4 Regional and Garden State Athletic Conference Championships, 6 years in the top ten national D2 Junior Colleges, 2 Final Four appearances, and Runner-up in the JUCO D2 Championship in 2015

  • Kean University: Assistant Women's Basketball Coach

  • Raritan Valley Community College:

    • Head Women's Basketball Coach for 2 years

    • Men's Assistant Basketball Coach for 5 years

    • Achievements: Garden State Athletic Conference Champions in 2009, best recruiting class in 2009-2010 with 7 players placed at Division I, II, and III programs, and produced one Division III All-American player (Drew University 2010-2011)

Coach Hicks has dedicated his career to helping players develop the fundamentals of basketball and increasing their basketball knowledge. His passion for coaching and deep understanding of the game have positively impacted many young athletes, guiding them to success both on and off the court.

Executive Director
Pure Basketball South

Manuel Gines

With over a decade of coaching expertise, Manuel Gines brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at the Puerto Rico Basketball Federation. He has skillfully guided the "Little Lads" and "Small Fry Baby Rookie" teams, and proudly led the Spartans Club. His crowning achievement was coaching the 2015 Championship team in the Small Fry Baby Rookie division. Before moving to Florida, Manuel worked with many elite athletes and camps in Puerto Rico.

Now serving as the Executive Director of the Pure Basketball Academy, Manuel is dedicated to building the future stars on and off the court. He believes in elevating the game beyond the court: "To me, it's not just a game! Level up and maximize your true basketball potential."

Director/17U Coach

Valentino "Neil" Thompson

🔹 Professional Summary
Accomplished and focused educational professional with over 4 years of experience in coaching, mentoring, and program development. Proven ability to solve complex challenges with strategic thinking and effective execution. Demonstrates strong leadership and communication skills that foster team growth, academic success, and athletic excellence. Passionate about empowering youth through sports, education, and character development. Seeking a role within a stable, growth-oriented organization to apply and expand professional expertise while enhancing institutional impact.
🔹 Core Qualifications

  • Strong foundation in Criminal Justice and Corrections

  • Highly dependable, disciplined, and results-driven

  • Strong desire to learn, grow, and master new skills

  • Enthusiastic, with a sense of humor, patience, and self-control

  • Over 15 years of competitive sports experience, including collegiate and professional basketball

🔹 Coaching Experience
Assistant Coach – Men’s Basketball Middlesex County College – Middlesex, NJ Jul 2022 – Present

  • Prepare detailed scouting reports for upcoming opponents

  • Monitor academic progress of student-athletes

  • Recruit and evaluate incoming talent

Head Coach – HS Division / Assistant Director Hustle Academy AAU Basketball Program Jul 2020 – 2024

  • Built nationally competitive AAU teams with top tournament finishes

  • Mentored athletes into college recruitment pipelines

  • Designed strategic practices and player development plans

  • Fostered a culture of discipline, sportsmanship, and Christian values

  • Balanced athletic and academic priorities for student-athletes

Head Coach – Men’s Basketball Atlantic City Seagulls – Atlantic City, NJ Sep 2021 – Nov 2021

  • Led team to ABA record: 251 points vs Hornell Bulls

  • Managed team operations and player development

  • Program disbanded after 6 games due to funding

Assistant Coach – Men’s Basketball Rowan Gloucester College of South Jersey – Sewell, NJ Sep 2019 – Jul 2021

  • Planned and executed practices and game strategies

  • Evaluated player performance and assigned roles

  • Maximized team synergy through skill-based positioning

Assistant Coach – Women’s Basketball Brookdale Community College – Lincroft, NJ Sep 2017 – Apr 2018

  • Developed individual athlete potential

  • Created game strategies based on player strengths

  • Analyzed opponent tactics for competitive advantage

🔹 Leadership & Program Development
Co-Founder – WHO’s GOT NEXT Basketball League Jersey Shore, NJ Apr 2019 – Present

  • Manage daily operations and logistics of the league

  • Host competitive games and showcase events

  • Recruit players and promote via social media

  • Coach and mentor athletes in skill development

🔹 Playing Career
CBV Villalobledo – ELBE League (Spain) Pro Debut | Jersey #7

  • Competed in Spain’s ELBE League, demonstrating elite guard play and leadership

NJ Thunder – APBL Semi-Pro League Point Guard | Jersey #7 | 2015–2016

  • Led team to APBL Championship victory

  • Known for high-IQ playmaking and defensive intensity

Wilmington University (NCAA DII) Shooting Guard | Jersey #0 | 2013–2015

  • 5th in conference for 3PT percentage

  • 3rd all-time in steals in school history

Brookdale Community College 2012–2013 National Champions

  • 1st Team All-American & Tournament Team

  • Region 13 Player of the Year

  • 1st Team All-Conference & All-Region

  • Led team to Region 13 Championship and National Title

Monmouth Regional High School Starting PG | Jersey #12 | 4-Year Starter

  • State Group III Section Champs (2006–2007)

  • 2nd Team All Shore (Senior), 3rd Team (Sophomore)

  • 3rd Leading Scorer in Shore Conference

  • School Record Holder:

    • 🏀 1,244 Career Points

    • 🛡️ 315 Career Steals

🏆 Career Highlights

  • APBL League Champion (2015–2016)

  • NCAA DII Defensive Standout

  • NJ High School Record Holder

  • National Champion at Brookdale

  • Pro Experience in Spain’s ELBE League

  • Co-Founder of WHO’s GOT NEXT Basketball League

New Jersey Coaching Staff

Coach/Middle School

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Jordan Robinson

14U/8th Grade Coach

2023-24 (FRESHMAN):

  • Saw action in three games

  • Made collegiate debut against St. Joseph's Brooklyn (11/17)

  • Scored first career points with a bucket against Wells (11/18)

  • Made first career 3-pointer in win over Vassar (12/29)

BEFORE TCNJ:

  • Earned second team All-Valley honors at Bound Brook High School

  • Helped lead Crusaders to back-to-back conference titles

  • Received Coaches' Award and Crusader Classic MVP

  • High Honor Roll student​

  • Played for the Pure Basketball program for 8 years. Now, I will be returning to coach the student-athletes in the program to pass on my knowledge and help them reach their basketball goals.

Florida 
Coaching Staff

Middle School Director 

Anthony Ammons

🔹 Coaching Profile
With over 15 years of experience developing athletes from elementary through high school, Coach Ammons is a proven leader in youth basketball. His expertise in defensive strategy and player development has shaped competitive programs across Florida, earning him recognition as a trusted mentor and program builder.
📍 Coaching Experience
2020-present
Head Junior Varsity & Assistant Varsity Head Coach
Spruce Creek High School
Port Orange, FL
 
2018-2020
Head Junior Varsity & Assistant Varsity Coach
Mainland High School
Daytona Beach, FL
 
2017-2018
Head Middle School & Assistant Varsity Coach
Calvary Christian Academy
Ormond Beach, FL
 
🧠 Core Responsibilities

  • Design and implement defensive systems

  • Develop seasonal practice plans and training schedules

  • Monitor academic progress and communicate with families

  • Create individualized skill development plans

  • Collaborate with varsity staff to align team strategy

  • Organize off-season camps and tournament schedules

  • Lead fundraising initiatives and community engagement

🏆 Career Achievements

  • 3 State Playoff Appearances

  • Built high-performing, disciplined teams with long-term athlete development focus

  • Elevated program credibility through strategic planning and mentorship

👥 Leadership Roles

  • Director, Roberson Team Handles AAU (Boys & Girls)

  • Director, City of New Smyrna Beach Youth Basketball Camps

📣 Coach Ammons is committed to building athletes who compete with heart, defend with purpose, and grow with integrity.

Player Development/Head Coach

Zantrez Armstead

University of Anchorage Alaska – Coaching Internship  Anchorage, AK | Sep 2021 – Mar 2022

  • Shadowed Head Coach Rusty Osborne and staff

  • Traveled with the team, organized practices, and gained hands-on experience in collegiate coaching

Mountain City Christian Academy – Middle School Head Coach  Anchorage, AK | Oct 2019 – Mar 2020

  • Built a new basketball program from the ground up

  • Managed team logistics, recovery sessions, and academic support for athletes

🎖️ Military Leadership

U.S. Army – Combat Engineer (12 Bravo)  Anchorage, AK | Sep 2015 – Mar 2019

  • Completed SERE training and earned Staff Sergeant rank

  • Led combat readiness evaluations and trained top talent

  • Operated heavy equipment and conducted ground reconnaissance

  • Developed leadership and discipline in high-pressure environments

📚 Certifications & Education

Certifications

  • ✅ Sports Nutrition Certification

  • ✅ Unified Sports Certification

  • ✅ National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified

Education

  • 🎓 United States Sports Academy – Sports Management  Daphne, AL

💬 Coaching Philosophy

"Basketball is a vehicle for growth—on the court, in the classroom, and in life."

"Taking Basketball Back To The Basics"

Contact US
Email: admin@purebasketball.net
Phone: 732-519-7109

SPONSORS

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Kory Gray

COMING SOON

Jan Gines

COMING SOON

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COMING SOON

Kevin Cousins

COMING SOON
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Coach/High School 

Donovan Crawford

15U/9th Grade Coach

College Experience:

Bloomfield College (Freshman Year)

  • Points per game: 3.2

  • Field Goal Percentage: 40.3%

  • Rebounds per game: 3.1

High School

  • Points per game: 18.5

  • Rebounds per game: 9.2

  • Assists per game: 3.1

Achievements:

  • High school awards and recognitions.

  • Notable contributions to team success.

  • Demonstrated leadership both on and off the court.

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