Team Rio National Should Contend for NYBL Championship

When year two of the NYBL tips off in March 2014 in Washington DC, Team Rio National could be a favorite to claim a NYBL National Championship.  With all due respect to last year’s NYBL champion, Ohio Select; the reigning AAU National Champion, CPC, and Texas Express Elite (formally Deron Williams Elite), Team Rio has upgraded their roster significantly and has the talent to win it all.

Roster upgrades include: Scottie Lewis (played with the Garden City All-Stars last year), Jordan McCoy (played with Team Izod), AJ Hoggard (also ran with Team Izod) and Edward Sanchez (played with New Heights last year). With the additions, Team Rio has 8 players ranked in the NYBL Top 100. Team Rio’s full roster includes: Jordan McKoy, Chris Autino, AJ Hoggard, Bryan Antione, Jalen Gaffney, Alex Klatsky, Scottie Lewis Jalen Brooks and Edward Sanchez. By most accounts, Scottie Lewis is absolutely lighting it up, and could make a move on the top spot in the class with a strong showing in the NYBL this year.

The team’s dominance was on full display last weekend when they ran the table at the Tipoff Classic in New Jersey to claim the championship. On their trek to the title, Team Rio defeated fellow NYBL challenger Team Takeover (formally ETU Select) twice, the second time in the championship game. Not only is Team Rio associated with the NBA’s Mario Chalmers, the team has partnered with training guru Micah Lancaster. This relationship will insure that Team Rio’s players get good fundamental skill development.  

Brian Klatsky, Team Rio Director, is excited about his team’s potential. “Our goal is to be able to play with anybody in the country, and I think we will be,” said Klatsky. Klatsky stopped short of calling out CPC, All-Ohio and Team Texas Express, but I think it’s clear he wants to beat those teams and take home the NYBL championship rings.   Although Team Rio finished 8^th last year, with all of the roster additions, the New Jersey based team has to be serious contenders for the 2014 NYBL National Championship. Look for some serious match-ups n the NYBL this season!