My City February 2022

MYSPORTS

BY MARK SPEZIA PHOTOS PROVIDED BY MAKAI CONNOR B U I L D I NG A STRONG Brotherhood

A mid the sounds of dribbling and squeaking sneak- ers, Keno Davis, rst-year coach of the second-year Flint United professional basketball team, outlined his vision for the program. “Our biggest goals are giving these guys opportu- nities to move to the next level, put a great product on the court and give the Flint community another thing to rally around,” says Davis while keeping an eye on what was happening on the court during a third and nal team tryout at Insight Health and Fitness Center

in Flint last month. “I’ve always been a coach who has wanted to play a pro, upt- empo style. I believe that’s not only the best way to win games, but it’s also what the fans like to watch and the way players like to play.” Count Lance Adams among those players. Although the nal roster of 15 was not set to be nalized until the rst week of February, the former International Academy of Flint standout is one of several area natives expected to return for a second season with the team which is part of €e Basketball League.

“Last year was our build- ing year and now, people really know who we are,” says Ad- ams, an All-Region performer for Great Lakes Christian College in Lansing. “Every- thing is well-structured here and we did not always see that with other TBL teams we played last year.€e staŽ is really on point with every- thing and we’ve seen guys get to the next level. It’s a good platform to better ourselves.” Adams was referring to players like Jaire Grayer and Chris Barton. Grayer, son of Flint basketball legend JeŽ Grayer, was part of the Orlando

Magic’s 2021 NBA Summer League team and now plays for Orlando’s NBA G League squad in Lakeland, FL. Barton signed to play professionally in Finland. Adams hopes to be among those taking the next step, but joining Flint United has already changed his life for the better. After racking up 1,178 points and drilling 295 three- point eld goals at GLCC from 2016-19, Adams re- mained at the school the next season, serving as a student assistant for the basketball team before seeking a place to resume his playing career. 

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