Basketball has been part of Kylon Page’s life for as long as he can remember. He has been paying it forward for many years as founder and coach of Family First Piranhaz — and he is now doing so in his new home of Maricopa.
“I’ve been playing basketball since I was a kid,” he recalls. “My family was big into basketball.”
At one point, Page sent highlights of his play to a National Basketball Development League (today’s G League for NBA hopefuls) team in North Dakota and was invited for a tryout. But he didn’t have the money to make the trip.
A lack of resources won’t prevent young boys and girls from learning the lessons — on and off the court — that basketball provides. Page started the program in Chandler in 2011 (N’Keal Harry, a Minnesota Vikings wide receiver, was one of his early players), continued it in both Colorado and Wyoming, and brought it to Maricopa upon moving here in 2021.
“We take all skills levels. There are no players cut. If I see you show up, I know you want to be there,” Page explained. “I don’t want kids out on the streets. I couldn’t stand it if kids could have been in the gym practicing with me instead of getting into trouble.”
Page witnessed many youth programs charging exorbitant fees with no clear indications of where the money was going. He seeks a modest $20 monthly fee, just enough to cover expenses, and tournament fees are divided evenly between all the families involved. If they can’t afford the $20, that’s no problem either.
There were more than a few times where the money needed came out of his own pocket.
“For me growing up, there was no way I could have afforded [those high club fees],” he revealed. “Some of the families are able to pay the $20 and some don’t. That’s not going to stop someone from being able to play.”
Getting the ball rolling
The Piranhaz offer opportunities for boys and girls in second grade through high school. Page had more than 100 kids in the program in Wyoming before the pandemic. There have been some starts and stops locally, with lack of gym space one of the challenges. They currently practice outside at Pacana Park.
There are 14 players on a junior high boys’ team that is enjoying early tournament success and another 11 kids playing at the elementary level. Word-of-mouth has more parents learning about the program and its opportunities for year-round play.
No matter the age, Page focuses on teaching the fundamentals. The benefits come in their play on the court both now and down the road.
“The way I coach, I work on their weak-nesses,” says the 6-foot-3 Page, who spent time at all five positions during his playing career. “Everything we do in drills, we do right-handed and left-handed. When we play defense, we want to make the other team go to their weak side.
“‘When one eats, we all eat’ is the motto for our program. The players learn to trust their coach and trust their teammates.”
In Wyoming, Page was able to see players progress from their early days through high school — with some moving on to college. He assists in that aspect by contacting coaches and seeking opportunities for those that want to continue in the sport.
“I’ve already told all my eighth graders I don’t want them thinking about the freshmen team next year. I want them to get ready to start on junior varsity, start on varsity or come off the bench knowing what they’re doing.”
Page coached both boys’ and girls’ teams at the high school level, including the junior varsity girls at Maricopa High School from 2021 to 2023. He works as a teaching assistant at Maricopa Unified School District.
Team play
Page’s teams in Maricopa and beyond have a reputation for upsetting larger, better-funded clubs in tournaments. He says hard work in practice and being prepared for physical play are among the keys to success.
His junior high boys team played in five tournaments in late 2023 and early 2024, winning two and reaching the championship game in another — losing by just one point on two late free throws in the squad’s inaugural tourney outing. Upcoming trips are planned for Oklahoma City this month and Omaha in July with an event closer to home in Phoenix in May.
What the kids have to say
Three of the players on that team talked about their experiences with the Piranhaz.
Akeem Blevins has been playing basketball three years and earned MVP honors in a recent tournament. He says the team communicates well, passes the ball and sticks together.
Most of the players go to school together at Desert Wind Middle School. “I’ve got close relationships with a lot of the players on the team,” Akeem said.
Corey Yateman is one of those close friends and teammates. He has been playing the game since age 5.
“We’ve got chemistry, a really good bond,” he shared. He said he wants to continue his basketball career as long as possible. “I’m looking to play all the way to the pros. That’s what I’ve dreamed of since I started.”
Zane Bergman, a seventh grader on the team, also cites chemistry and loves the early winning the team has accomplished.
Looking ahead
The ultimate success for Page, however, comes off the court.
“I stay on them about academics. When I see them graduate and when they get good jobs and are being successful in life, that’s a success. It’s being positive role models for the next ones after them. If they give back and coach, all the better.”
Email: [email protected]
Call: 480-678-8124
![City Manager Ben Bitter speaks during a Chamber of Commerce event at Global Water Resources on April 11, 2024. Bitter discussed the current state of economic development in Maricopa, as well as hinting at lowering property tax rates again. [Monica D. Spencer]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/spencer-041124-ben-bitter-chamber-property-taxes-web-218x150.jpg "City gave new manager big low-interest home loan")
