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Laredo native Kaleb Canales — the NBA’s first Mexican American head coach — has been named associate head coach at Troy University. The Trojans announced the move earlier this month after Canales led the Calgary Surge to a winning season in the Canadian Elite Basketball League.
On June 28, Jason “White Chocolate” Williams will make his way to Laredo for a youth basketball camp from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Border City Sportsplex.
Danny Green will be back in Laredo on May 31 to host the School's Out Basketball Camp from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at LBJ High School. Students in first through 12th grades are welcome to the camp, which is presented by SWISH City Laredo. At the camp, Green will have a Q&A, take pictures and give autographs.
While Canales focuses on the remainder of Portland’s schedule, a stretch that could determine his future with the Blazers, friends and family members have reacted to his stunning ascent with pride, joy and more than a little astonishment. Not because they doubted Canales. But because someone who didn’t play college basketball, had no connections to rely on, hailed from an area with virtually no NBA presence, and had never been a head coach at any level could rise so high, so fast. “It’s hard to put into words, to be honest,” his sister Chantal said. “It’s been surreal, just seeing where he started. The whole path is pretty amazing.” “The entire community is proud of Kaleb,” said Hector Noyola, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Laredo, where Canales was once named member of the year. “It’s the No. 1 sports story ever in Laredo. It’s a goal that few would think he could achieve, and he did it.”
"One thing I do know is that I think the responsibility as a head coach and someone that's been blessed and fortunate to coach at the highest level, I take that responsibility seriously," Canales said. "I try to get better at it every day. For the City of Laredo, I feel so fortunate to be born there and lived there. The greatest excitement I think is for the children that they're able to dream. I just want them to understand that through faith and hard work and perseverance, their dreams can come true."