Written By: Mike Mon
Last year, Coach Wong’s LA Alpine squad returned to the NACBAIT after an 8 year layoff and showed that Championships can be won at the highest level without a ton of free agent signings.  They won with tenacity, defense, chemistry, teamwork, shooting, and of course speed.  So maybe the landscape has changed.  Nevertheless, teams will continue to look for that overlooked gem that fits their system.  Others will still try to take the shortcut method and hope that making a big splash through free agency will change their fortunes.  With so many teams opting out of Vancouver this year due to the costs, there was a whole lot of talent just ripe for the picking if you were in the know.  As always, some teams such as the Toronto Dragons, LA Aiya, Philly Suns, and Boston Knights are content with going into the tournament with “their guys” and hope for the best.  For them, last year’s success of the Alpine model is their basis to believe in their system. But for those who believe in keeping up with the Joneses, here are this year’s biggest moves.

Despite the fact that Alpine won it all last year in a relatively uncontested manner, with a homegrown roster of local guys, even they couldn’t resist looking for an outside hand to upgrade them this year.  They have made a grandiose Taiwanese splash with the add of 6-4 F Long-Mao “Kevin” Hu, who played in this past years FIBA 19/Unders.  Hu has signed on with Chaminade University (Yep, the Chaminade that upset my favorite Ralph Sampson-led University of Virginia team back in the day), and the scouting report is that there isn’t anything this kid can’t do.  Los Angeles is ready for any comers. They have also gone back to the future, and added the legendary Kenny Phan, a 5-8 midrange expert with defensive swag.

Washington CYC A couldn’t help but tinker with the lineup yet again.  Every pickup since 2009 has been a positive GM move, so this year DC adds a trio of former SF Dukes/Hoopaholics: 6-4 pivtoman Dennis Yuen, 6-0 Scottie Pippen-esque F Ross Lim, and 6-1 two-guard bomber Conlan Kwong.  These guys all know how to play at a high level, so expect them to mesh right away. 

The Seattle Bladerunners may be the deepest team in the NACBA this year, as the expected return of a pair of NACBA Top 30 PG’s in Song Cun (Occidental) and Austin Yuen (Seattle Pacific) will give them an uber loaded roster.  These guys go ten deep and should waltz right into the Final Four.

New York USAB A had a great tournament last year, but then got Alpined in the Semis. There’s no shame in that, since LA pretty much rocked everyone’s world in Beantown.  USAB founder Bill Chan made the decision to change coaches and alter the plan of attack.  Chan will now take the lead, as he looks towards getting a taller, more athletic lineup on the court.  His master plan will be easily implemented with the addition of former NACBA Juniors and Youth MVP Devin Figueroa (Northeastern University).  Devin plays either backcourt slot and can shoot the ball with his eyes closed. 2007 MVP Sam Luong, who has also had runs with Arzona Desert Jade, looks to make his second stint with USAB a memorable one.  Coach Chan also signed two Chan brothers (no relation to Coach) to add to his arsenal.  By adding tough minded F George Chan and 6-1 scoring machine swingman Michael Chan (Co-MVP in Mens Open last year for the NY Crossbearers), USAB is stacked where it counts.

The NY USAB 18’s have changed their name to NY QHCC Warriors 18 due to a sponsorship change. So although the name might not be quite the same, the faces and the style will be decidedly USAB.

The Toronto White Tigers decided to branch off from under the CCYAA umbrella and will bring with them many of the faces who went undefeated on day one in Boston. 

Another name change that has transpired since 2011 will be the Friendship Champion LA Anchormen transforming themselves into LA Blob City. I don’t know if there will be a CP3 sighting, or if Blake Griffin will drive by in a Kia, but there will be plenty of three point shots going up.

With the NY Rockits AIA not in attendance this year, the NY RL Cruisers have decided to ink All-NACBA 5-10 SG Chris Chin (Baruch, Top 18) and defensive standout PG Ming Wang.  More depth never hurt anyone, so this will be a plus for the New Yorkers as they look to a Monday date with destiny.

Former Vancouver NPG’ers Dan Tsuei and Ken Kuo have hopped on with the fresh faced Vancouver B2B Saints.

Kim Scarrow (McGill) will be suiting up with the South Africa Titans. I have no clue how this happened. But it did, and this former Montrealer will be an impact player for South Africa. Also on this team will be former Philly Lady Sun Lauren Looi.

Former LA Alpine Guard Kevin Su will be playing with LA Everest in the Friendship division.

The Washington CYC China Dolls have once again taken in another member of the Philadelphia Fastbelles (2011 & 2012 Pre-NACBAIT Champs), who are not going to be in Richmond.  All-NACBA SF Sandy Yu (Penn State Abington) should pay dividends as her transition game and cat-like defensive prowess will help the China Dolls at a position of need.  With El and Kristy spreading the defense, big things could be poppin for the NACBA’s hottest mom.

All-NACBA PG Shannon Yu, makes a move to the Philly Lady Suns.  But she didn’t even need a new uniform, as she was a member of the Suns from 2002-2009 under the old regime. A member of the Philadelphia Fastbelles ever since the split, Yu has decided to help out the Suns in Richmond after she played last year with the China Dolls in a logjammed PG situation.  She will give the Suns a great floor leader, a tremendous outside shooter, and a player with a high basketball IQ.  This All-NACBA stringsnapper will have an immediate impact.

High caliber PG Moses Ma (Grace Univ) played last year for Phila Fastball A, but Fastball simply couldn’t afford to make the cross country trip.  Fastball’s loss will be the Toronto Titans’ gain.  Ma put up pretty solid collegiate stats in both the US and Canada, and has some Hong Kong professional experience under his belt.  This guy could be a game changer in a pick n roll situation.

The Washington CYC 18’s have joined in the player raid of the absent Philadelphia Fastball, picking up 14 year old phenom PG Geoffrey Kao.  Kao would have been the #1 candidate for MVP if there were a Youth division this year, but this Kobe Bryant schooled prodigy will make a big impression in the Juniors division with his defensive tenacity, 3-point swishing, and explosive ballhandling.

NYC Skyline has added quite a number of familiar faces in their quest for Senior 35’s supremacy.  The biggest name here will be Hawaii Five-O star Brian Yang, who has played for too many teams to name.  Yang’s street cred rating is off the charts. Other former NACBAIT’ers who will turn heads will be PF Wilson Wang (Washington CYC), PG Felix Shen, and SG Dave Wong.

NY USAB B has gotten younger, tacking on a quintet of players who won the 2011 Junior title.  3pt All-Star Kevin Cai, SG Greg Hsu, 6-2 C Russell Huang, MVP Jeff Chan, and Chris Yim will be itching to play.

6-3 Alex Chan, a 50 year old who is better than most guys half his age, will go from the Toronto CCYAA 45’s to the defending Champion CCYAA 35’s.   Chan is the man.

The Philly Suns A have moved up SG Wayne Fung from their B team in hopes that his speed and defense will give them some zing off the bench.  

The Toronto Dragons A look to become even more unguardable on the perimeter as 2010 Juniors MVP Henry Tan (5-11, G) joins them.  This lefty can penetrate, finishes at the rim, and has a silky smooth three point shot.

Seattle SCAA has tacked on two former Big Apple ballers. PG Beatrice Chang (NY Cruisers, Haverford) and Tiffany Lee (NY Sabres) will give Seattle a sweet shot at the Final Four.

Toronto CCYAA Women have also made some changes, drafting MMAC’er Anneth Him.