Elitus Basketball Academy News (November 2026)

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Elitus Academy Newsletter

November 2026 Edition

Dear Elitus Families,

As we enter November and approach the final two months of 2026, we would like to thank all our members and families for their continued support of Elitus Basketball Academy.

We are pleased to announce the release of our November 2026 Academy Calendar!

This month brings several exciting developments, including our collaboration with MCCS Semper Fit Youth Sports, upcoming U15 and U18 Club Team tryouts, competitive tournaments, and opportunities for players from the Japanese and American basketball communities to train together.

Please review the following announcements carefully.

November Academy Schedule Updates

Saturday, November 7 – Academy Canceled

Due to the closure of Awase Community Center, we will be unable to conduct our regularly scheduled Academy sessions on Saturday, November 7.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

Saturday, November 14 – Academy Canceled

Our Elitus U15 Club Team will be participating in the U13/U14 Newcomers Tournament.

As our coaching staff will be focused on supporting our players throughout the tournament, all Academy sessions scheduled for November 14 will be canceled.

We wish our young athletes the best of luck as they represent Elitus!

Special Opportunity: MCCS Youth Sports × Elitus Basketball Academy

Wednesday, November 18 & Wednesday, November 25

We are excited to announce that current Elitus Basketball Academy members will have the opportunity to participate in the MCCS Semper Fit Youth Sports × Elitus Basketball Academy sessions at Camp Foster.

This collaboration represents another important step in our efforts to bridge the gap between the Japanese and American basketball communities in Okinawa.

Participation Fees

Current members enrolled in a 3X, 6X, or Unlimited payment plan: No additional participation fee. Each MCCS session will count toward your regular monthly session allowance, where applicable.
Members without an active payment plan: ¥2,000 per session (drop-in rate).

Participation for Non-SOFA Members

For our Japanese members and other participants who do not have SOFA status, we will coordinate escorted access to Camp Foster.

Please understand that base access requires advance registration and approval. Participation and escorted entry cannot be guaranteed.

Why This Opportunity Matters

One of Elitus Basketball Academy's ongoing missions is to bridge the gap between the Japanese and American basketball communities.

Through our collaboration with MCCS Semper Fit Youth Sports, Japanese players will have the opportunity to:

Train alongside American and military-connected youth.
Experience basketball instruction in an English-speaking environment.
Develop their skills through an American-style training atmosphere.
Build confidence communicating and interacting with players from different cultural backgrounds.
Experience the international basketball community that makes Okinawa unique.

We believe basketball is more than a sport. It is also a powerful platform for cultural exchange, communication, friendship, and personal development.

Official MCCS Basketball Academy Program Information:

https://www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/activity/d7d9d60e-d1d1-49db-8410-0024e42546cf

Members interested in participating should contact us in advance at elitusacademy@gmail.com with the subject line "MCCS Academy."

Elitus Club Team Tryouts – U15 & U18

We are pleased to announce our upcoming Club Team tryouts for players interested in joining the Elitus competitive basketball program.

U15 Club Team Tryout

Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
Time: 18:00–20:00
Location: Awase Community Center

U18 Club Team Tryout

Date: Saturday, November 28, 2026
Time: 18:00–20:00
Location: Awase Community Center

Our club teams are designed for players seeking a more competitive basketball environment, with an emphasis on skill development, teamwork, discipline, and preparation for higher levels of competition.

We welcome motivated athletes who are eager to challenge themselves and continue their basketball development.

Further details regarding registration and tryout procedures will be announced separately.

U18 Open Practice – November 18

For players interested in joining our U18 Club Team, we will be hosting an Open Practice ahead of the November 28 tryout.

Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2026 Location: Awase Community Center Time: 18:00-19:00

This session will provide prospective U18 players with an opportunity to experience our training environment, work on their individual skills, and prepare for the upcoming tryout.

It is also an excellent opportunity to become familiar with our coaching philosophy, practice structure, and expectations for club team members.

We encourage interested U18 players to take advantage of this opportunity.

Tuesday Club Team Practices – MCAS Futenma / Camp Lester

Throughout November, we will continue hosting Club Team practices on Tuesdays at either MCAS Futenma or Camp Lester.

These sessions will provide our club team members with additional opportunities to develop their skills, strengthen team chemistry, and prepare for upcoming competitions.

Coach Gibson will provide further details regarding the exact location, schedule, and other necessary information as each practice date approaches.

We ask all club team members to monitor team communications for updates.

U15 Club Team – MCCS Youth Sports League Participation

Our Elitus U15 Club Team is also scheduled to participate in the MCCS Youth Sports Basketball League on November 28.

This will provide our players with another valuable competitive experience and an opportunity to interact with teams and athletes from the military community.

Additional information regarding game times, venue, and participation details will be provided as the date approaches.

We look forward to another exciting opportunity for our players to compete and continue their development.

Continuing to Evolve as We Approach 2027

As the end of the year approaches, Elitus Basketball Academy remains committed to improving the quality of our programs and expanding opportunities for our members.

Whether through our regular Academy sessions, competitive club teams, international basketball experiences, or collaborations with organizations such as MCCS Semper Fit Youth Sports, we will continue pushing the envelope to provide better services and more meaningful experiences for our players.

Our goal is not simply to teach basketball skills, but to create an environment where young athletes can grow as players and individuals.

We sincerely appreciate the trust and support of our families and look forward to finishing 2026 on a strong note.

Thank you for being part of the Elitus Basketball Academy community!

Best regards,

Jo Kurino Founder / Executive Director Elitus Basketball Academy Assistant Coach, Shimane Susanoo Magic (B.League)

Website: www.elitusacademy.com Email: elitusacademy@gmail.com

Find Your Power to Perform. Push to Propel!

ELITUS BASKETBALL ACADEMY

CALENDAR

We are pleased to release the November 2026 calendars for both the Academy and Club Teams.

ELITUS CLUB TEAM

CALENDAR

Elitus U15 DYNASTY

Elitus U18 RED DYNASTY

ACADEMY STRUCTURE

ーAbout Our Coursesー

FUNDAMENTAL CLASS

Ages: 7–13
Level: Beginners / Early-Stage Players
Focus: Fun, confidence, basic basketball skills, movement development, and game understanding.

EXPERIENCE CLASS

Ages: 10–15
Level: Experienced elementary school and middle school players
Focus: Skill development, decision-making, game concepts, and competitive mindset.

ADVANCED CLASS

Ages: 12–17
Level: Advanced elementary school, middle school, and high school players
Focus: Game-speed execution, advanced skill development, situational decision-making, and preparation for higher levels of competition.

We are seeking U15 + U18 Players!

Goals for 2026

Increase the number of games played (targeting approximately 12–24 games per year)
Expand travel and tournament opportunities
Build a diverse team that is not limited by nationality or foreign-player restrictions

Recommended for Players Who:

Want detailed instruction from specialized coaches
Are looking for an environment where every player receives a fair opportunity to compete
Value balancing academics and athletics
Are seeking a club team that offers scheduling flexibility
Want an additional place to develop outside of their school team