Grace Baptist Academy basketball program brings international players to the Coast

Over the past six years, Grace Baptist Academy’s boys basketball program has become a hub on the Gulf Coast for international players to attend and excel on the court.

Over the past six years, grace- baptist academy's boys- basketball program has become a- - - - hub on the gulf coast for - international players to attend- and excel - on the court.

- this year's eagle squad is- comprised of seven- australians, a rwanadan, and a- canadian.

Despite their - different - nationalities and cultures, - these players have found- something - that bridges any differences- they may have: the game of- basketball.

- news 25's grace boyles sits dow- with some of the eagles to- discuss the program's success - and their transition- to america.

- - over at grace baptist academy,- head coach brad shauf is helpin- players from across the - globe make their dreams come- - - - true on the hardwood right here- in south mississippi.

- through its "timothy project," the small baptist - school in ocean springs has - developed a boarding- program for young basketball- players to come - to the united states and boost- their chances of earning a- college basketball scholarship.- g-b-a travels all across the- southeast region playing in - tournaments and taking on some- of the most competitive - teams in the south.

In december- the eagles even - went up against some coast- teams, defeating moss point 65 - 37- and stone high 59 - 36.

- brad shauf, grace baptist - academy head coach and athletic- director: "we want to be known as a stepping- stone to the college level.

It'- not anything personal with- any other schools.

We are - necessairly competing with the- same market.

We - don't get our kids from a bunch- of schools around here.

We're - providing a service.- - - - so what we want to be known as- kinda that team on the coast- that's different."

Although the eagles may be- relatively unknown on the - coast, their exciting style of- play-- featuring plenty of- effortless slam dunks-- have- made a splash on social media,- which helps catch the eyes of - college coaches.

Center - aidan gardiner from geraldton - australia has been here just- six months and has already- picked up an offer.

- aidan gardiner, center -- geraldton, australia: "i found it as a stepping stone to - college.

You know, i never--- back in australia i didn't have- college look as i did - now.

I got here.

I played-- i - think i only played two or thre- months of playing - basketball over here and i had- montevallo out of alabama, they- - - offered me."

For guard shai fassom, getting a chance to pla- abroad in high- school was an opportunity he- couldn't pass up.

- shai fassom, guard/forward -- perth, australia: "i just think a lot of kids in- australia see it as a dream to- go play overseas.

And i kinda - thought the first time- i'd get over here was college.- but once i got this offer i was- - - - just like, yeah.

I was so - happy."

Shauf says watching his players- dreams of playing - basketball at the next level is- the most rewarding part of his- job.- brad shauf, grace baptist - academy head coach and athletic- director: "first game of their college career, - seeing them play.

The most- rewarding for me, - that's what that is.

So our - mission, essentially is to do - that.

It is to provide a- service to them to reach the- next level.

And that's our- focus."

Shai fassom, guard/forward -- perth, australia: "i just want to go play- grace baptist is celebrating- senior night tomorrow as- they host pontchatrain