B.League vet to hold camp on Saipan

Grind Basketball Camp, run by former Japanese-American professional basketball player from Guam Morgan Hikaru Aiken, is set to elevate Saipan’s young basketball players’ skills at the end of the month.

The camp is on Friday, Aug. 30, from 3:30pm to 5pm, and Saturday, Aug. 31, from 5pm to 6:30pm at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Aiken, who is the first Guam high school graduate to sign a professional contract to play basketball overseas in the Japan Basketball League and later in the B.League, said the purpose of the camp is to create more opportunities for young athletes, and to share his experience and knowledge of the game of basketball.

“Throughout my collegiate and professional career, I have been blessed with various opportunities to travel and train in different camps and communities. This was something that I recognized was not as easily accessible to many aspiring athletes back home or in the Marianas. Essentially, I feel like there can always be more spaces created for young athletes, and I wanted to be a part of filling the gap for those opportunities that I didn’t always see growing up,” he said.

The 30-year-old added that he wants to share his basketball journey—the highs and lows, the obstacles, the competitiveness, and the level at which he played.

“My message is that pursuing a professional career in basketball is attainable if you dedicate yourself fully, though it demands significant commitment and sacrifice. Since retiring in 2022, I’ve returned to Guam with the goal of teaching and sharing what I’ve learned about advancing to the next level of basketball. My objective is to expand my influence and impart my knowledge of the game. Having met several passionate basketball players from Saipan, I see an opportunity to connect with the youth there and inspire them to pursue their dreams just as I did.”

The Guam National Basketball Team gold medalist in the 2014 Micronesian Games, standing at 5’8” said, “I want to show that I’m just like everyone else—I’m not 7 feet tall, nor was I the most skilled player growing up. However, my commitment to daily practice and dedicated training helped me excel. I focused on more than just scrimmaging or casual shooting. I evaluated my weaknesses and built on my strengths—understanding how they would translate from high school to college and eventually to the professional league. That success lies in holding yourself accountable and staying consistent, whether in basketball or any other pursuit.”

This will be the first time he will visit Saipan, but has been planning and looking for the right moment to come here for the past two years. With that, he said that he’s been intentional about connecting with Saipan’s coaches and athletes in order to offer insights gained from his seven-year professional journey. He also wants to learn from them, which will contribute to his growth as a trainer, coach, and mentor.

He then said he’s fortunate to have friends and family in Guam, whose assistance have been instrumental for the growth of Grind Basketball over the past two years. “Their support has made it possible for me to travel to Saipan and share my experiences there,” he said. He also thanked Saipan’s Jacqueline Lizama and Mike Mercado “for their crucial assistance in bringing this plan to fruition.”

For more information about Grind Basketball, visit www.thehumanplane.com.