International Hoops at Freedom High School?

Looking for something to do on a Saturday night in New Tampa? Believe it or not, you can catch a high-calibre level of basketball when the Tampa Bay Rebels play their home games at Freedom High School.

The FBA is a fledgling league with just four teams but the product they put on the court is, "far beyond what you would see in a recreational league"; says Rebels head coach Fernando Rojas. Rojas brings a wealth of international basketball experience into the league and the Rebels.

He played for the Mexican national team and his father, Jose, was also a member of the Mexican national team and competed in the Olympics. Rojas has participated both as a coach and as a player in basketball leagues all over the world and he's maintained the connections he's developed to help athletes get into the international market for hoops athletes.

"Over the years, I have developed relationships with players, coaches and owners," said Rojas. "Now, I am able to do what I am passionate about."

Rojas' main priority with the Rebels is to get his players signed to international contracts. His goal coincides with the surge in world-wide popularity of basketball.

"We have a unique situation with basketball in professional sports," Rojas said. "No other sport has exploded, internationally, in the last 20 years the way basketball has."

Rojas pointed out that even in the NBA, roughly 30 percent of the players are international players. When you consider the number of professional leagues sprouting up all over the world, the opportunities look promising.

"We have signed 20 players to international contracts since 2005," said Rojas.

Those destinations include Brazil, Portugal, and Mexico.

One of the Rebels stars this summer, is not only a hometown talent, he is also coming off two basketball seasons in Chile. Seven-foot center Matt Kendrick is a graduate of Chamberlain High School where he made Varsity his sophomore year and was team captain his junior and senior years. He played college ball at St. Leo before packing up for Chile. An ankle injury brought him home and that's when he found out about the Tampa Bay Rebels.

"Any time I can get the ball in my hands, I'm happy," said Kendrick.

Kendrick averages over 16 points 13 rebounds and four blocked shots per game for the Rebels and is a force to be reckonded with inside.

"He's a great talent, has huge potential," said Rojas. "He's a seven-footer that can run the floor, block shots and he's still young, very coachable and willing to learn."

The Rebels are currently 9-1 and leading the FBA. They have a home game on Saturday against their rival the Heartland Prowl (8-2); the only team they've lost to this season.

"They(Prowl) have a lot of skill guys, all 10 guys are able to score and they're quick, good shooters," said Rojas.

Saturday's game will be the fourth regular-season matchup between the two teams and very likely a preview of the league's championship game. The Prowl won the first contest 102-99, the Rebels won the second game 112-101 and the third 107-93.

Game time is 8pm. Adults are $10, kids uner 13 are free.