Codera’s protègè Hearn shortlisted in US team for FIBA Americas Cup

CEBU, Philippines - One hot summer in California two years ago, US-based Cebuano basketball trainer/coach Jeff Codera and American cager Reggie Hearn had an intense one-on-one training that lasted for nearly a month.

Hearn was so determined to bring his hoop skills to a higher level under the guidance of Codera that he had no qualms about training in a makeshift facility within the garage of Codera's humble abode in Santa Cruz, California.

Looking back at what they have been through, Codera, a member of NBA's Golden State Warriors training camp and a licensed Gold coach of USA Basketball, couldn't help but take pride for the good fortune that came upon Hearn, one of the biggest names he has worked with.

Two weeks after their training regimen, Hearn got a call that eventually landed him a spot at the Reno Bighorns, an affiliate of the Sacramento Kings in the NBA D-League. The six-foot-four guard averaged 11.3 points in 2015 and 13.5 points last season with the Bighorns.

But the best is yet to come for Hearn.

Last August 14, Hearn got a timely present on his 26th birthday after he was named among the 16 players slated to take part in the USA Basketball Men's AmeriCup Team training camp on August 17-24 at the University of Houston.

Under the supervision of celebrated coach Jeff Van Gundy, the training camp will be used to select the national team will represent the United States at the FIBA Americas Cup 2017 on August 28-30 in Montevideo, Uruguay. The official 12-member USA team is expected to be announced prior to the team's depature on August 24.

"I'm so happy for Reggie (Hearn) that he has been given the opportunity to be part of the USA national team training camp. I am really proud of what he (Hearn) has achieved. Hopefully, he will make it to the final roster," said Codera, who rose from his humble beginnings as a jeepney dispatcher in Cebu to an elite trainer/coach under the umbrella of USA Basketball.

"Me and Reggie couldn't still believe that from our modest training in a makeshift facility at my garage, he would reach that far. He really has gone a long way. I hope he will make it all the way to the NBA someday."

Hearn himself looks back with a grateful heart for Codera.

"He knows what he is doing as a trainer on the court. Throughout our time working together, he never once referred to any sheets or videos in training with me. Everything came from his own mind and experience, and it's no exaggeration when I say that in three weeks I worked with him, we never repeated a drill," said Hearn of Codera.

"In spite of all these great things Jeff did for me on the court, though, the greatest thing he did for my game was to believe in me and increase my confidence," added Hearn. (FREEMAN)