Author: Boris Karebin

To help young players and their families—especially international athletes from Europe and other countries—understand the complex structure of American college basketball, this series features insights from two highly experienced professionals.

Boris Karebin, President of BK-CENTRE, is a basketball coach with many years of NBA experience and an executive with extensive experience in international scouting and basketball operations.

Nate Altenhofen is the Chief Executive Officer of ABA LLC, an National Junior College Athletic Association Division I National Champion coach, and a longtime collegiate coach with extensive experience at major American universities, including Indiana University.

Together, they will answer the most important questions about the U.S. college basketball system and help families understand which pathway offers the best opportunities for each athlete.

Many parents assume that NCAA Division I players are dramatically better than Division II players. In reality, the difference is often much smaller than expected.

What Division I and Division II Players Have in Common

Players in both divisions may possess:

• Excellent shooting ability
• High basketball IQ
• Strong athleticism
• Advanced technical skills
• Competitive mentality
• Professional potential

What Usually Separates Division I from Division II

The main differences are often related to:

• Height and physical size
• Explosiveness and athletic upside
• Consistency under pressure
• Depth of talent across the roster

In many cases, Division II players are nearly identical in skill level to Division I players. The difference may be as small as:

• 2–3 cm in height for guards
• 2–5 cm in height for forwards
• Greater size and length among elite Division I centers and power forwards

Real-World Example

A player who is highly skilled but slightly undersized may be recruited by a strong Division II program rather than a Division I school. After proving himself, that same athlete may later transfer to Division I or continue on to a professional career in Europe or elsewhere.

Why Division II Should Not Be Overlooked

NCAA Division II offers:

• Outstanding coaching
• Excellent facilities
• Athletic scholarships
• High-level competition
• Transfer opportunities to Division I

Many successful professional players began their careers in Division II, NAIA, or junior college before reaching the highest levels.

Key Takeaway

NCAA Division I is the most visible and prestigious level of college basketball, but Division II remains an extremely competitive environment with tremendous opportunities.

For many athletes, the best path is not necessarily the most famous one—it is the program that matches their talent, physical profile, academic qualifications, and long-term goals.

Here are the conference rankings:

Top pic is top 3 levels:

Level1 Top 20 programs
Level2Power4-SEC,10,ACC,B12
Level3 – American, BEast, A10, IVY, Big West

Middle Pic is
Level 4 MID Majors

Bottom Pic is Low D1

Today, we are excited to introduce a new promising player from Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo — Win Tekenga.

Win is a highly athletic and mobile basketball player born 2010 standing 196 cm (6’5”) tall. He possesses outstanding physical tools, explosive jumping ability, and tremendous potential for future development. It is already clear that he is a player with serious ambitions and a strong desire to succeed.

As you can see, young athletes around the world train under very different conditions. But they are all united by one common dream — to play basketball at the highest level.

We strongly believe that Win will earn an opportunity to play in the American college basketball system and prove to the world that he has what it takes to become a great player.

The scouting service of BK-CENTRE closely monitors talented athletes from all over the world. Information about promising players is immediately shared with coaches at colleges and universities within National Collegiate Athletic Association.

If there are talented children and promising basketball players around you, contact us. Send us:

• Game and training videos
• Player names and contact information
• A brief summary of achievements and experience

Our mission is to help young talents reach top universities and, eventually, the National Basketball Association and professional clubs in Europe.

Contact us at: [email protected]

The scouting service of BK-CENTRE never sleeps. We work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — 24/7.

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.