Basketball Coach Held Free Clinics for Locals in St. Lucia

What began as a postgame conversation last winter has grown into an international partnership that is already changing lives through basketball.

Earlier this summer, varsity basketball coach Brad Seaman traveled to St. Lucia to lead a free three-day basketball clinic for more than 20 young athletes, sharing not only the fundamentals of the game but also lessons in leadership, teamwork, and perseverance.

The opportunity came about in an unexpected way.

After KO faced Marianapolis during the basketball season, Seaman struck up a conversation with one of Marianapolis’ players, a native of St. Lucia. That introduction led him to the player’s AAU coach, who invited Seaman to work with a youth basketball program on the island.

Rather than viewing the invitation as a business opportunity, Seaman saw it as a chance to give back. “I didn’t charge anything,” he said. “I wanted to do it for the experience.”

For three days, Seaman worked with players ranging from elementary school students just beginning their basketball journeys to older teens hoping to elevate their games. Practices focused on ball handling, shooting mechanics, defensive fundamentals, footwork, and decision-making, while reinforcing the importance of discipline, communication, and playing for one another.

“I wanted them to experience the same values we emphasize at Kingswood Oxford,” Seaman said. “Basketball is about so much more than putting the ball in the basket. It’s about learning how to work hard, trust your teammates, and keep improving every day.”

The enthusiasm was contagious. On outdoor courts in the Caribbean heat, players eagerly absorbed every drill and every lesson. Between instruction, laughter, and conversation, relationships quickly formed. For many of the young athletes, it was their first opportunity to work closely with a coach from the United States. According to local organizers, the clinic was designed not only to develop basketball skills but also to expose players to educational and athletic opportunities that exist beyond the island. By connecting local athletes with experienced coaches, the program hopes to broaden horizons while continuing to grow the sport in St. Lucia.

For Seaman, however, the greatest takeaway wasn’t what he taught; it was what he learned.

“It was a wonderful time,” he said. “The people were incredibly welcoming, and the kids’ passion for basketball was amazing. They wanted to learn, they asked great questions, and they worked hard every single day.”

The success of the clinic has already sparked plans for the future. Seaman is now collaborating with the program’s director to expand the initiative, with hopes of returning next summer for an even larger event.”We’re already talking about how to grow it for next year,” he said. “This was really just the beginning.”