Phil Henderson, former McDonalds High School All American, Duke University Team MVP, and Dallas Mavericks NBA Draft Pick opens a Youth Basketball Skills Academy based in Metro Manila.

The Filipino Basketball Academy-FBA is a high intensity basketball training school designed to develop the peak mental and physical performance abilities of dedicated basketball players who aspire to reach their maximum potential. The ultimate goal of The Academy is to equip boys and girls, ages 7-18, with the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills of the game.

“Team competitions are prevalent in the Philippine youth basketball community but individual training is not. There is more of a priority placed on playing games instead of learning how to play the game by developing the fundamental skills and knowledge of young players. As a result, the overall skill level and basketball IQ of young players in the Philippines is severely lacking,” Henderson said.

Henderson’s celebrated basketball career started in 1986, when he was selected to the McDonald’s High School All American Team as one of the top 25 prep hoopsters in the nation.

After high school, Henderson played for Coach Mike Krzyzewski at Duke University where he led Duke in scoring his senior campaign with an 18.5 average and led his team to the 1990 National Championship game. That year he was selected as a member of the Final Four All Tournament team, All Atlantic Coast Conference team, Raleigh Sports Club “North Carolina College Basketball Player of the Year”, and Duke Team MVP. Henderson, who played in 3 consecutive Final Fours with the Bluedevils in 1988, 1989, and 1990 followed by a 5 year pro career in the NBA & Europe states, “The number one purpose of the Filipino Basketball Academy is to develop the fundamental skills and knowledge of young players so they can go on to have a successful basketball career. Without a superb work ethic, sound skills and a great basketball IQ, I would have never achieved my goals of playing college and professional basketball.”

The FBA is currently running player development programs in Taguig with plans to open over 50 more FBA locations throughout Metro Manila during the 2013-2014 school year. For details visit www.filipinobasketballacademy.com.