HERRIMAN, Utah – Zions Bank Real Academy announced today the addition of a post-graduate team to build upon the success of the RSL Basketball Academy following the completion of the program’s inaugural 2020-21 season.
The post-graduate basketball team, beginning play in 2021-22 at RSL Academy, will offer players additional opportunities to develop after high school and before college. Incoming players are those who seek development physically, learning the game and building their skillset with aspirations of playing at the next level.
In addition, the post-graduate team will give players increased exposure to potential college opportunities without beginning their collegiate eligibility.
“After seeing what we accomplished in our first season with our RSL Basketball national team, it presented another opportunity to continue our basketball developmental program with a post-graduate team,” Zions Bank Real Academy President Jacob Haueter said.
RSL Basketball head coach David Evans led RSL’s national high school team to a 30-3 first season, including a win over No. 17 iSchool at the Beach Ball Classic in South Carolina. Now a combined 150-23 in his high school coaching career including his tenure at Lone Peak High School and Wasatch Academy, Evans has an established track record of high-level team success and developing top players.
In addition to his high school and academy coaching experience, Evans is a six-year coaching veteran at the collegiate level and played professionally overseas for three years.
Evans will continue to oversee all the Academy’s basketball teams, including the post-graduate team and the national high school team while utilizing additional staff and coaches to facilitate all aspects of the program.
“Having a fifth-year post-graduate team will be such a great opportunity for players to have a chance to get better after high school and before college,” Evans said. “There are a lot of players that need the extra time to develop and with the resources we have at RSL, we can give them a great experience and opportunity to work toward their goals.”
The post-graduate team will compete against other fifth-year teams across the country in addition to other prep and junior college programs in various showcases and tournaments.
Incoming players in the program will live at the RSL Academy residential housing and utilize training facilities at the Zions Bank Real Academy, including new on-campus basketball courts, as they prepare to meet the demands and expectations at the collegiate level.
