top flight coaches
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Ike - Head Coach, President, CEO
Nationality : USA
Hometown : Houston, Texas
Universities and degree : University of California Los Angeles B.A. Communications 2001
Pro years : 15
Coaching years : 7
Favorite player : Hakeem Olajuwon
Favorite coach : Pep Claros
Favorite TV Show : Game of Thrones
Awards : Arthur Ashe Sports Scholar Award UCLA 1995. Turkish League All-Star 1999. PBL All-Star 1998. 1992 McDonalds All-American Candidate.
Certifications : FIBA Licensed Coach. Jr. NBA Certified Core Coach. USA Basketball Certified Youth Coach.
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David Grice - Senior Coach/ Player Development
Nationality : British
Hometown : Birmingham, England
Universities and degree : Warren Wilson College: Psychology
Coaching years : 4 years
Favorite player : Gary Payton
Favorite coach : Phil Jackson
Favorite TV Show : Game of Thrones
Awards : 2015 USCAA Academic All American.
Bio:David Grice is a senior member of the Top Flight Basketball Coaching Staff and one of the brightest young minds in the Top Flight organization. Coach David has an immense passion for the game which is very s is evident in all of his training sessions and games. Coach David played college basketball in the United States at Warren Wilson College, before that time he was a member of the Serbian National Team Youth Academy. Coach David has a Level 2 coaching license from The United Kingdom Basketball Association. David is also NASM certified personal trainer. David has tremendous success at the team level and with individual player development.
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Tahsinul Haque - Coach
Nationality : Bangladeshi
Hometown : Bangkok
Universities and degree : Thammasat University Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering
Awards : Silver League MVP 2015
Coaching years : 7
Favorite player : Paul George
Favorite coach : Brad Stevens
Favorite TV Show : Game of Thrones
Bio : Tahsinul Haque has been on the Top Flight Coaching staff since 2012. As a player at NIST International School Tahs was a 3-year vasity starter for legendary Coach Randy Wallis. Tahs was an instrumental memeber of the NIST Team that won BISAC in 2010. As a Top Flight Coach Tahs is a child and parent favorite, he is a great teacher of the game who empashizes fundamentals,
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Hitoshi Benson - Senior Coach
Nationality : Japanese/Australian
Hometown : Melbourne, Australia
University and degree : RMIT 2013 - 2014, Bangkok University 2014 - 2017 (Entrepreneurship)
Coaching years : 3
Favorite player : Steve Nash
Favorite coach : Phil Jackson
Favorite TV Show : The Walking Dead
Awards : 80% Athletics Scholarship from The American school of Bangkok, 100% Athletics Scholarship from Bangkok University.
Bio: Hitoshi Benson "Toshi" is one of the most popular coaches on our entire staff. Toshi began as a student with Top Flight in 2010 it was clear then that he was a special talent he would go on to be recognized as one of the best students in the history of Top Flight Basketball. Toshi was a standout player at the American School of Bangkok where he won 3 BISAC championships as a player he also earned BISAC and SESAC MVP honors. Toshi accepted a full scholarship to Bangkok University (BU) where is currently the starting point guard.
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Rashad Ali - Senior Coach
Nationality : USA
Hometown : Chicago
Universities and degree : Warren Wilson College: Sustainable Business
Awards :First Team All-American NCAA Division II, Warren Wilson College All-Time Scoring Leader,
Coaching years : 3 years
Favorite player : Kevin Durant
Favorite coach : Greg Popovich
Favorite TV Show : Power
Bio: Rashad Ali is originally from Chicago Illinois where he was a standout high school basketball player at Crossroads High School. Rashad accepted a scholarship to Warren Wilson College. At Warren Wilson, Rashad was the team captain for 2 years. During his college career Rashad lead the team in scoring for three years he also led the conference in field goal percentage on two occasions, Rashad led Warren Wilson college to the Division II National Champion title in 2013, All-Tournament Team, and was the first player to break the record of most scored points recorded in his school history. Rashad followed is now playing professionally in Thailand as well as coaching for Top Flight where he is a favorite of the kids.
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Darongpan Apiromvilaichai (Palm) - Coach
Nationality : Thai
Hometown : Sukhothai
Universities and degree : Thammasat University: Bachelors Business administration, Dhurajidbuntid University: Masters Economic Development
Pro years : 10 years
Coaching years : 7 years
Favorite player : Michael Jordan
Favorite coach : Steve Kerr
Favorite TV Show : The Voice
Awards : Finals MVP Thailand Super League 2015
Bio: Coach Palm is one of the original coaches at Top Flight Basketball and has been on the staff since the very beginning. Coach Palm has an infectious energy and passion for the game that he shares with his students. As professional basketball player Palm is one of the most decorated players in the history of Thailand Basketball member. He is a national team player and 8-time champion who has won titles at the university, local, and international levels. Palm is a graduate of Thammasat University with a degree in Business Administration.
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Matthew Van Pelt - Senior Coach
Nationality : United States
Hometown : Grand Rapids, Michigan
University and degree : Spring Arbor University Bachelor Degree English/Communications
Pro years : 6
Coaching years : 10
Favorite player : J.J. Barea
Favorite coach : Tom Izzo
Favorite TV Show : Law & Order
Awards : -Pete Maravich National Award Winner Runner-Up League MVP in Australia 1st Division Defensive Player of the Year Award Spring Arbor University Two time First-Team All-Defense Team
Certifications : AAU Certified Coach, Certified Overseas Basketball Consultant
Bio :Matthew Van Pelt is a highly decorated professional basketball player originally from Detroit Michigan. Since his graduation from Spring Harbor University where he was a standout basketball player winning many individual awards Coach Matt has played in some of the top leagues around the world with teams in Europe, South America, Australia and Asia. As a coach, Matt has had success on the professional, university and youth levels. As a player development coach is a ball handling expert who works primarily with our guards.