PROGRAM: Team Brandan Wright

PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Spencer Richardson

LOCATION: Nashville, Tennessee

The Philly Face/Off brought several high quality teams and well-known programs from different parts of the country,  to the Philadelphia Area, all looking for serious competition and an electric basketball environment! Team Brandan Wright has been a Program, on the rise, for some years now and entered the 2016 Philly Face/Off Tournament, all the way from Nashville, looking to match up with other Elite teams.

All 5 of the TBW teams performed well throughout the Event, competing at a high level and defeating some really good teams. There well some classic battles with Exodus NYC, Germantown Lady Panthers and Team Takeover, over the course of the Event.

There seemed to be a TBW Team playing on every court, at every gym. That may be attributed to the serious amount of energy and effort that the Team Brandan Wright Program puts into supporting each others’ teams. You couldn’t help but notice the passion and Program pride.

We spoke with Team Brandan Wright following the Philly Face/Off to get some insight into their Program and keys to their success.

Can you give us a little background on your Program and how you got started?
“Our program started 8 years ago, with the vision of changing lives & giving young ladies, in our Area, the opportunity to get a free college education, using basketball as a vehicle. In the previous years, we were known as Lady Zoom, until NBA player Brandan Wright (Memphis Grizzlies) got involved with the program. With Brandan behind us, we made the name change to Team Brandan Wright, about 2 years ago.”

What brought Team Brandan Wright all the way to the Philly Face/Off?

“Our Program Director, Spencer Richardson, heard about the Philly Face Off from Coach Ryan Garner (Tournament Director). We attended the Face/Off because of the competition and we wanted to visit a wonderful city, like Philadelphia! The atmosphere had a July feeling to it. Even though the tournament was in the middle of May, it gave us a good test before the tough, approaching July exposure period!”

How was the Philly Face/Off different from other Exposure Events?

“For us, the event was different from others because it felt like family! All of the teams competed at a high level and the environment was special. The grilled burgers & Hot dogs wasn’t bad either! You have to love a good cheese burger off  of the grill, after knocking off an EYBL team. The biggest surprise of the weekend, was the crowd that we had, when we played against Team Takeover EYBL 17 u team. It was standing room only, with no place to sit! It was incredible!”

How have you been able to build such a strong Program, what’s the key?

“Our program is special because of the kids and the parents. We all have a great time around one another and we support all of our teams! No program is perfect but we try our best to be. We put the kids first and make them work hard. They all know we care about them and when they believe that, they will compete at a high level every time they step on the court.”

What should we expect to see from Team Brandan Wright next year?

“You can expect more of the same, for sure. We have a lot of good young talent that we are working out with, regularly. Our travel schedule caused us to have to leave early this year. Next year, we will arrange things so that we can stick around for the Playoff Bracket and Championship Rounds! We will definitely be returning to Face/Off again next year though!”