Author: Boris Karebin

Chipola College, widely recognized as the premier junior college basketball program in the United States, has officially signed Zane Straudovska from Riga, Latvia.

Zane Straudovska is a highly talented wing player, an outstanding three-point shooter, and a dynamic athlete with exceptional speed and versatility. Her ability to stretch the floor, attack in transition, and compete on both ends of the court makes her a perfect fit for Chipola’s fast-paced and extremely athletic style of play.

This opportunity was structured by BK-CENTRE President Boris Karebin and ABA LLC Chief Executive Officer Nathan Altenhofen, who worked together to help Zane secure this exceptional next step in her basketball career.

Several top programs, including NCAA Division I schools, were actively recruiting Zane. However, she chose what is unquestionably the strongest and most proven pathway for her long-term development.

A special recognition goes to Coach Anita Mikale, whose dedication, professionalism, and commitment to player development have played a decisive role in Zane’s growth. Coach Mikale invests her heart and soul into her players and consistently helps them reach the highest levels of basketball.

We would also like to congratulate Ridzene Basketball School, Coach Anita Mikale, and the entire Ridzene team on winning the silver medals at the Latvian U-19 Championship in Riga.

Why Chipola Is the Best Possible Destination

Chipola College competes in the Panhandle Conference, widely regarded as the toughest junior college basketball conference in the United States. The level of athleticism, speed, physicality, and coaching in this conference prepares players for immediate success at the NCAA Division I level.

This year, every major contributor from Chipola advanced to NCAA Division I after just one season. No player remained for a second year in junior college, which demonstrates the program’s extraordinary ability to develop athletes and place them into elite Division I programs.

Zane already possesses many of the qualities necessary to compete at the highest levels of college basketball. Nevertheless, one year of intensive training and competition at Chipola will significantly strengthen her game and further elevate her readiness.

We fully expect that after one year in Chipola’s demanding environment, Zane will be prepared to compete in the nation’s premier NCAA conferences, including the Big Ten, Big East, ACC, SEC, and Big 12.

Zane is already very close to that level. Her upcoming season at Chipola will provide the final stage of development needed to become an impact player in elite NCAA Division I basketball.

Congratulations to Zane Straudovska and her family on this outstanding achievement. We look forward to following her journey and future success at the highest level of college basketball.

Today, we would like to introduce a very talented young basketball player from South Sudan — Mayar Lal Mayar.

Standing at 211 cm (6’11”) and born in 2010, Mayar is already attracting attention as one of the most promising prospects in his age group. He currently trains at a basketball academy in South Sudan, where he continues to develop his skills and pursue his dream of playing at the highest level.

South Sudan has become one of the most exciting emerging basketball nations in the world. The country has produced a growing number of outstanding players who have earned scholarships to colleges and universities in the United States, as well as professional opportunities in China and throughout Asia. These athletes are known for their resilience, discipline, and determination to succeed.

The next major breakthrough is only a matter of time. South Sudan possesses a remarkable pool of young talent, and many of these players are working tirelessly to earn their opportunity to compete at the highest levels of international basketball, including the National Basketball Association.

Because of the difficult circumstances in South Sudan, many young athletes are seeking educational and basketball opportunities abroad. Mayar has already received an invitation from a school in New Zealand, where he would have the chance to continue both his academic and athletic development.

We hope that this opportunity will become an important step in his journey — whether it leads directly to the United States or through development pathways in Australia and other strong basketball programs.

There are countless talented young players in South Sudan who are desperately searching for their chance to succeed in the world of basketball. We sincerely hope that the global basketball community will support Mayar and help him reach his full potential.

We are doing everything we can to assist him on his path, and we believe that with the right guidance and opportunities, Mayar Lal Mayar has the potential to build an exceptional basketball career.

For Mary Akinda, basketball became the pathway that brought her from Lagos to the United States in pursuit of a dream.

After arriving in America, Mary joined Barton Community College, where she spent two excellent seasons developing her game and growing into one of the leaders of the team. With hard work, discipline, and determination, she steadily improved every year and established herself as one of the program’s most important players.

During her sophomore season, Mary took another major step forward. She averaged more than 10 points and more than 10 rebounds per game, consistently recording double-doubles and becoming the clear centerpiece of her team. She played in 28 games, starting 20 of them, and made an impact every time she stepped onto the court.

Her performances quickly attracted the attention of some of the strongest universities in the country. Eventually, Rutgers University — one of the major basketball powerhouses in the United States — offered Mary a full basketball scholarship, a place on the roster, and the opportunity to continue both her athletic and academic career at the highest collegiate level.

Among many impressive offers, Mary chose Rutgers as the next destination in her journey.

Her story is another example of how college basketball can change lives and open doors for talented young athletes around the world. We hope that Mary continues to elevate her game and that one day we will see her competing on the stage of NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament and eventually hearing her name called in the WNBA Draft.

We wish her continued success, unforgettable victories, and the opportunity to make every dream become reality.

Breaking News:
Zane Straudovska has committed to Chipola College, BK Centre President Boris Karebin confirmed

Special thanks to her coach Anita Mikale from Ridzene and TTT junior team and to all Latvian Coaches who let it happened

Nate Altenhofen of AbbA LLC again has expedited communications on Zane’s behalf and the talented Latvian wing has quickly found her new basketball home in Florida.

The 6’1 athletic snyper averaged 15.1 ppg for TTT Riga Juniores.
Zane will be joining Chipola College in the Florida panhandle, strongly considered the top junior college conference in the Nation.

Zane’s coach Anita Mikale:

Ukrainian forward Elina Syniakova (6’2”) delivered an impressive and highly productive season with Butler Community College, confirming her high level of play and readiness for the next step in her career.

emerged as one of the key players on a team that finished the season among the top junior college programs in the United States. Her impact was especially crucial in decisive games: her strong performance in the tournament final helped Butler secure a conference championship and finish as the No. 2 team in the nation in NJCAA.

Prior to Butler, Irina was part of the Louisiana Tech University program, where she began her NCAA journey before transferring following her participation in the FIBA U18 European Championship. It was after this international exposure that she drew significant attention from scouts and coaches working in the U.S. college system.

A key role in Syniakova’s transition to Butler was played by BK-CENTRE. Following recommendations from European coaches, she was introduced to BK-CENTRE President Boris Karebin, who, together with his long-time partner Nathan Altenhofen, developed a pathway that led to her successful NJCAA season.

Now, after one of the strongest seasons of her career, Senyukova is actively exploring opportunities at the NCAA Division I level, with multiple programs showing interest.

Nathan Altenhofen also speaks highly of her potential and readiness for the next level:

“Irina is a player with a great feel for the game, strong physical tools, and valuable international experience. She has everything it takes to adapt quickly and establish herself at the Division I level.”

Elina is also a member of Ukraine’s youth national team and previously performed well at the European Championship, where she showcased her abilities on the international stage.

There is strong confidence that Irina’s next step will be a natural progression, and that she will soon secure her place among Division I athletes.