Minister Daly Making Athletic Dreams Come Through

For many young basketball players, the dream of making it to the NBA starts with a scholarship and a shot at playing college ball in the U.S. And today, that dream came a little closer to reality for some of Belize’s rising stars. In a full-circle moment, Minister of State Devin Daly, a former professional athlete himself, has teamed up with his alma mater, Lake Superior State University, to give back in a big way. Daly invited his former coaches to Belize to scout local talent, hoping to open doors for the next generation of athletes to follow in his footsteps and maybe even surpass them. News Five’s Paul Lopez was courtside for today’s high-energy scouting session and brings us this inspiring report.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The Civic Center buzzed with energy as hopeful young athletes showcased their skills, knowing that a strong performance could open the door to a U.S. college scholarship, and possibly a future in professional basketball. In a powerful show of support for local talent, Minister of State for Sports, Devin Daly, brought a piece of his own journey full circle. Daly, a former collegiate athlete, invited coaches from Lake Superior State University, his alma mater, to Belize to scout for the next generation of stars.

 

Devin Daly, Minister of State, Ministry of Sports

“It started way back when I went to this same university that coach Grace and Steve are still currently coaching at. I think it was 2019 when I was working at the Belize City Council. I kept wondering why we don’t have programs where we have coaches coming to Belize to recruit our students’ athletes. Now that I am in a position to make certain things a reality, this is my first move.”

 

While women’s basketball in Belize is still growing, that didn’t stop players like Bria Clarke from giving it their all. Her passion for the game shines through, proving that even in a male-dominated sport, there’s space for fearless female athletes to rise and be seen.

 

Bria Clarke, Basketball Athlete

“For me personally ih just wah be like getting better, because I am currently at divisions three and this is a division two school. So, for me I want to be play overseas because it is more eyes and more coaches overseas can see me.”

 

Then there’s Jason Orosco, a third-form student at Maude Williams High School and a rising star in Belize’s youth basketball scene. If his name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s already made waves as part of the Under-18 National Team that made history by competing in the FIBA AmeriCup Tournament in Argentina. Now, Jason is aiming even higher. With international experience under his belt, he’s ready to take his game and his exposure to the next level.

 

Jason Orosco, Basketball Athlete

“I mean, I am a great young kid playing basketball in Belize. It is a great opportunity not only for me but for everyone here. Basketball in Belize is at a lower level so it is a great shoutout to honorable Devin Daly for this opportunity, not for me, but for each and everyone of us.”

 

Paul Lopez

“How has basketball transformed your life?”

 

Jason Orosco

“I am a young kid from the ghetto. I look at basketball as my getaway, so I just push myself everyday.”

 

We also caught up with Coach Steve Hettinga, who shared what he’s looking for in these young athletes and why he believes this opportunity could be a game-changer for their futures. Fun fact, this isn’t Hettinga’s first time in Belize. He made his first trip back in 2011, when he came to scout a young talent named Devin Daly… who’s now the Minister of State for Sports.

 

Steve Hettinga, Coach, Lake Supreme State University

“My expectations are certainly like with Devin, his development over the four years, when I saw him he was so raw, we like to saw that term in basketball, very raw but talented. That is what I am expecting to see. Some of their form and how they play. I can tell they have ability but maybe they don’t have the fundamentals and the teaching that goes with it. I am looking for somebody that works hard, that is raw that has an open attitude to get better. A good student and someone that want to learn and get better.”

 

Devin Daly

“It is surreal. You get jitters because I lived it. You get nervous because I lived it. And of course you want to try show your best and you don’t know how you will mess up. That is why when it started I told them this is not about scoring ten free throws in a row or ten threes like Steph Curry or Devin Daly use to be. This is about showing the intangibles, having leadership quality and being that good teammate.”

 

Now, let’s be real—not everyone who showed up today will land a spot on a college team. But there’s good news. Minister Daly says this is just the beginning. He’s planning to bring even more scouts to Belize throughout the year to keep shining a spotlight on our homegrown talent. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.