Published: July 17, 2026
Paynesville — Two Liberian female basketball players have secured opportunities to study and play basketball in the United States after impressing evaluators during a talent assessment organized by Flames Basketball Academy in partnership with Montgomery College.
More than 30 female athletes participated in the assessment, led by Montgomery College Athletic Director and Coach Tarlouh Gasque. The evaluation combined basketball performance with academic testing to identify student-athletes capable of succeeding both on the court and in the classroom.
The assessment was conducted in two phases. The first focused on basketball fundamentals, game awareness and overall performance, while the second evaluated the players’ academic readiness for college.
Following the evaluation, two athletes were selected and have begun the enrollment process at Montgomery College, along with their U.S. visa applications.
Coach Gasque also identified 10 additional players with strong potential and said they will continue to receive mentorship and preparation for future college admissions and scholarship opportunities in the United States.
The partnership between Flames Basketball Academy and Montgomery College is expected to create more opportunities for young Liberian female basketball players to combine higher education with competitive basketball abroad.
Meanwhile, Liberia has been selected as one of 15 African countries to participate in the FIBA Africa Mini Basketball Forum, scheduled for July 26-29, 2026, in Comoros.
A source familiar with the program said the Liberia Basketball Association (LBA) is expected to announce the country’s representative in the coming days.
The forum is part of FIBA Africa’s grassroots development strategy and will bring together coaches and young players for training sessions, workshops and knowledge-sharing activities aimed at strengthening mini basketball programs and improving coaching standards across the continent.
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