ABOUT US/STAFF

ABOUT US

Loyal to the Game Basketball (LTG) enters its 10th season this spring, and continues to grow into one of the most respected grassroots basketball clubs in the 5 boroughs of New York City. Loyal to the Game Basketball was founded in 2014 by Kavon Baker, who still serves as the program's director.

The goals of LTG are simple. Our program's motto is "Treat the Game Right". Student-athletes are expected to do so by working hard on the court and in the classroom, have fun, and get better. We have a select group of talented coaches on our staff with experience at high school, college, and the NBA level. We practice & train multiple times a week to support our players' development, while stressing the importance of productive life skills that will last a lifetime.

Loyal to the Game Basketball has boys and girls teams grades 4th-11th. Teams compete during two major seasons: the Spring and Winter. Spring tryouts are are held February-March and Winter tryouts are held September-October.

STAFF

Kavon Baker - Loyal to the Game Director/Head Coach

Kavon Baker is born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Coach Baker attended the prestigious Midwood High School where he was a four-year letterman. After graduating, Baker spent a year at Kingsborough Community College where he would help The Wave capture a junior college championship before transferring to nearby CUNY Brooklyn College. As a member of the Brooklyn College Bulldogs, during his senior season, Baker would become a 1,000 point scorer, a City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) 1st Team All-Star, Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Metro Men's Basketball Second Team All-Star, and 2013 Men's Basketball D3Hoops.com All-Atlantic Region Second Team. Baker finished his senior season ranked 12th Nationally, in all of NCAA Division III in steals.

After earning his degree from Brooklyn College, Baker would go on to become a physical education teacher in New York's public school system. In 2011 as an assistant coach, he would help his alma mater Midwood HS capture the Public School Athletic League A' Division title. It was the school's first basketball title in nearly 60 years. In 2018, he was hired as John Dewey's HS Boys Basketball Head Coach, giving him the opportunity to lead his own program. 3 years later, in the summer of 2021, Coach Baker would be hired as the Athletic Director & Boy's Basketball Head Coach at Wingate Educational Campus in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn.

As the current Director of Loyal to the Game Basketball, Baker oversees all teams, coaches multiple teams a year, and directs all college recruitment initiatives.

Tarik Tazghini - Head Coach

"Coach Taz" played his high school basketball at New Utrecht HS. Afterwards, he moved on to Brooklyn College where he was a manager for the men’s basketball team. After earning his degree from BC in 2014, he began teaching physical education at the high school level. Current Boy's Varsity Basketball Head Coach at Boerum Hill School & Digital Tech.

Reginald Gay - Head Coach

Coach Reg is a graduate of CUNY Queens College where he majored in Physical Education. He has been with the Loyal to The Game Athletics program since its inception in 2014. His passion, commitment, and pride has helped elevate both the program and its players throughout the years. Currently, he is an educator in the New York City DOE. Current Head Coach at Elmont Memorial HS.

Gary Baker - Head Coach

Coach G brings a wealth of basketball experience to the court. He played his high school ball at Brookyln Technical HS and has coached in grassroots/aau basketball for 20+ years. He has been noted for his ability to blend talented players into a unit that plays team basketball, and he will be coaching elementary & middle school levels for LTG.

Anthony McClean - High School Assistant Coach

Coach McClean played college basketball at Brooklyn College before entering the coaching ranks. He is currently an assistant coach at Wingate Educational Campus, and the founder of Trust Your Process LLC, an inspirational movement motivating athletes to never give up on their dreams. As a player, Coach Mclean won city championships at both the junior college and senior college level.

Zoe Johnson - Youth Counselor

Alexis Wright - Youth Counselor

Tariq Michael - Photography/Videography