The 6-4 club! DRIVE coaches: Lucian Sauciuc, Jordan Mason, Pasha Bains and Chad Clifford.

DRIVE Basketball is in the ball player breeding business. It’s no secret around Vancouver that if you’re a kid serious about raising your game, you come see DRIVE to train or play on their AAU squads. Founded by locals Pasha Bains and Chad Clifford five years ago, the two best friends are like the Tim Grover’s of the city that once had the Memphis Grizzlies.

The results are indisputable. Since it’s inception in 2004, more than 30 DRIVE players have gone on to play college in Canada and the U.S. including: Tyler Kepkay (Utah), Bol Kong (Gonzaga signee), Levon Kendall (Pitt from ‘03-07) and Emerson Murray (D-I prospect).

The coaches at DRIVE have accomplished a few things on the hardwood themselves. Pasha is a legend in the area. He is one of the only Indian players to ever play D-I (he played at Clemson from ‘00-02). The Vancouver Sun named him the best B.C. player of the ’90s, getting the nod over a guard from Victoria named Steve Nash. Clifford was the Province’s ‘99 Player of the Year and played two years at St. Francis (PA) before finishing his career at the University of British Columbia.

Jordan Mason, another local product, played his post-high school career at Simon Fraser University and the University of Manitoba. At just 21, Lucian Sauciuc is the youngster of the coaching group. After starting his college career at Douglass College, the 6-3 recently signed with Trinity Western University.

The next generation of Vancouver stars were on full display at the annual DRIVE Appreciation Night on Sunday. About a hundred kids (ages ranging from 13-17) from the DRIVE-select AAU teams took part in the event, which included an all-star game for each age group. With hip-hop tracks blaring in the background and Pasha on the mic doing his best Bobbito Garcia impression – it was a fun filled night for everybody.

Oh yeah, did I mention these kids got game too? To quote the great Clyde Frazier, these boys put me out of my seat many a times with their “swishin’ and dishin’”. I also love the fact they got players from all over the globe their program. Black, white, Asian, Indian and Latino – it’s a beautiful thing. Peep the vid!

The DRIVE family have a busy summer ahead of them as they will go on to compete in several AAU tournaments including trips to Vegas and Seattle. For more information on DRIVE go to www.drivebasketball.com.