About Us

From the blacktops of Jamaica, Queens  to playing pro ball overseas , Dwayne Okantey’s story is a testament to grace, grit, and a game that became his calling.
 

His love for the game  of basketball was forged in the crucible of New York City streetball—where every bucket is a battle and every possession a proving ground. There, he competed in the some of the top unlimited tournaments in Queens and also played in Harlem’s Rucker Park street ball classic. This experience would carry him from inner-city playgrounds to the polished hardwood of the collegiate game.
 

Dwayne started his college career at Broward College , making an immediate impact he went on to earn All-Freshman Team honors in 1999, followed by the distinction of All-Conference recognition the following season. Transferring his talents to Lasell College in 2000, his standout play earned him Conference Player of the Year.

From 2002 to 2012, Dwayne played professionally across the world, competing in Argentina, Macedonia, Paraguay, the Dominican Republic, Bahrain, Qatar, and Mexico. His decade-long international career allows him to see the world and it showed him the game of basketball has no language barriers. 
 

In 2015, Dwayne’s passion evolved from a  player to coach at Hoop Mountain Kuwait Basketball Academy. There, he unlocked the deeper call in the game by mentoring, molding, and inspiring kids to reach their goals. Over the next five years, he honed his coaching craft, empowering players to master the fundamentals while fostering discipline, commitment, and leadership on and off the court.
 

In 2021, HoopSkillsTraining started at James Park in Hallandale Beach. What began with a few cones and a handful of eager players has grown—by God's grace—into a full-fledged academy rooted in the mission to build complete athletes: sharp in skill, firm in character, and fearless in work ethic.