Under the guidance of Director of Basketball, Jeffery Sparrow and Director of Basketball Operations, Jeff Gonzalez, SPIRE’s basketball programs are gearing up for an exceptional year of player development, intense competition and extraordinary experiences.

SPIRE Academy believes in fostering an environment where each student athlete can aspire to reach their full potential. In pursuit of fulfilling that goal, the Academy has a new National Prep basketball team, comprised of high school and postgraduate players who are eager to take their basketball careers to new heights. The school encourages all players in the basketball program to strive for a coveted spot on this prestigious team, where there’s a dynamic and competitive atmosphere.

The action-packed 2023-24 season includes participation in national events such as the Hoop Hall, Perkiomen School Basketball Tournament and The Prep National Championships. SPIRE Academy is also proud to be hosting renowned teams like Putnam Science Academy and Olympus Prep at home.

SPIRE’s Prep and Post Graduate teams will both be competing in the Ohio Prep Conference for the second year in a row, building on their top-four finishes from last year. The High School team is set to showcase their skills in prominent Cleveland events, including the Chet Mason Invitational, Danny Young Classic, Cleveland Ball Classic and the Great Lakes Classic. 

Players to keep an eye on this season include:

• Abdou Yadd, a 6’10 Forward/Center 11th Grader who came to SPIRE as a scholarship recipient from the Seed Project in Senegal. Currently, he holds offers from Nebraska, Arizona State and Seton Hall
• Zack Vencill, a 6’4 Post Graduate from Edgewood High School, a local school in Ashtabula County. He is looking for a home to play college basketball 
• Lawrence Mitchell, a 6’4 Post Graduate student from New York with a lot of Division 1 interest

The school’s 42 men’s basketball players come from all over the country and across the globe; 23 of them are international students, and the US-based students are from 22 different states. These athletes bring their own unique talents and aspirations to the basketball program.

SPIRE Academy’s commitment to player development remains steadfast, emphasizing building a strong team culture where the student athletes are in top mental and physical shape. Director of Basketball, Jeffery Sparrow and Director of Basketball Operations, Jeff Gonzalez, and the entire staff of the basketball program are all hard at work helping the athletes in this program achieve their goals. These players have the full sport of the school as they practice and train to be gameday-ready. Highlighting this full commitment, Jeff Gonzalez told us, “Coach Bobby Kaleal and his Performance staff are a huge part of our program. We have seen guys transform their bodies in just a short amount of time with the help of Bobby, his staff and their amazing workout regimen. The Recharge and Energize studio is an amazing addition to our program and complements our amazing programs at SPIRE.”

Thanks in part to their extended stay and weekly camps giving a glimpse of what the SPIRE Academy lifestyle is like, the school’s international recruitment efforts continue to thrive, attracting students from around the world. The school’s diverse community enriches both athletic and cultural experiences. To prospective recruits, Jeff Gonzalez had this to say: “Our program thrives off of its punctuality, respectfulness on and off the court and focus on the court and most importantly in the classroom…SPIRE overall is a family. From admissions to the school, to on the court, to in the weight room and in the cafeteria we are all family and all want SPIRE to grow and be a place we all can call home.”

At SPIRE, both the high school and the post grad basketball programs help players reach their full potential, giving them the highest opportunity to earn college scholarships. Key features of the program include:

• 8 hardwood basketball courts, including a Cleveland Cavs court
• 25,000 sq. ft. Performance Training Center focused on physical conditioning, mental skills training and nutrition hydration training
• Custom-designed competition schedules per team
• College prep academic curriculum; college placement guidance /support
• An “Olympic Village” setting with U.S. and international athletes in multiple sports
• Esports gaming lab access
• 800-acree campus; 850,000 sq. ft of indoor sports facilities; on site residential housing; on site academic center and SPIRE Fuel cafeteria
• Mental skills training with Zac Bruback

SPIRE Academy’s spirit of dedication, excellence and community extends to all its programs, including basketball and continues to thrive.