DME Academy is the brainchild of Mike and Dan Panaggio, former upstate NY basketball players who started a very successful direct marketing business.
Dan Panaggio was a coach in the NBA and professionally overseas and the time had come for the family to make their mark in basketball at their Daytona Beach home. They built a three-court basketball and volleyball facility adjacent to their DME marketing business. Since opening its doors, three years ago, DME has added a soccer field and is rapidly expanding the sports operations.
A year ago, the Panaggio’s hired former Phoenix Suns General Manager, Lance Blanks to run the operations. Blanks, a former first-round pick of the Detroit Pistons, transitioned to the front-office and media after his playing career. Blanks worked with the Spurs and Cavs before becoming GM of Phoenix.
Blanks hired former Five-Star Basketball Camp Head of Operations, Nick Couluris to build the DME Basketball imprint. Couluris expanded the summer camp operations running camps in New Jersey, Texas, Florida and California and started to build the in-house Academy programs.
Last weekend, DME brought two of their teams to the Northeast to play National powerhouses Putnam Science, Redemption Christian and Woodstock Academy.
The DME High School team features three to four Division 1 talents. The high school team defeated Woodstock Academy 82-73 on 11/10. They lost to Putnam Science and Redemption Chrisitan.
Assane Diouf 7’1 2018 C Senegal
Diouf is a man amongst boys standing 7’0 with a solid muscular frame. He does a great job on the glass. Offensively, he is a very good passer and capable in the interior. He reminds of fellow countryman, former-Oak Hill Academy star and NBA’er, Desagana Ngagne Diop. Assorted college interest from mid-high D1.
10pts 12reb 3ast 4blks (vs. Woodstock Academy)
6pts 10reb 3ast 6blks (vs. Redemption Christian)
Mame Diaw Niang 6’9 2018 F Senegal
25pts 18reb 7ast 2stls (vs. Woodstock Academy)
Niang is an active wing that plays with veracity. Strong driver with three-point range, active on the defensive end, with continued development on his handle and consistency with his three-point shot – the sky is the limit for him. Currently coveted by mid-major D1 programs, has high-D1 upside.
Keano Calderon 6’5 2020 G Orlando, FL
13pts 7ast 2blks 2stls 3/4 3pt (vs. Woodstock Academy)
14pts 6ast 5reb 4blks 2stls 3/4 3pt (vs. Putnam Science)
Calderon flashes star talent as a future D1 combo guard. He is still figuring out how good he really is. He has the size, athleticism, range… all the physical pieces. The next part of his development is mindset…how to run the team. Could have the same trajectory as fellow Florida-guard, Elijah Weaver.
DME’s National Post Graduate Team featured three players that impressed. The team defeated Putnam Science and then lost 86-104 to Woodstock Academy.
Jeremiah Gilyard 6’4 2018 G Palatka, FL
22pts 6/11 3pt (vs. Woodstock Academy)
Gilyard is a lights-out catch-and-shoot shooter. He propelled DME to a surprising first-half advantage over Woodstock. He has received some mid-low D1 interest. Didn’t have much of an opportunity to show what he could do with his handle
Camren Wynter 6’3 2018 G Long Island, NY
Wynter has D1 point guard ability. He is more of a player to run the offense than a scoring point. Capable driver and a plus-passer.
14pts 4reb 4ast. (vs. Woodstock Academy)
10pts 7reb 4ast (vs. Putnam Science)
JJ Smith 6’5 2018 W Fayetteville, NC
Smith has All American talent. A streaky deep three-point shooter, he has a high motor and scores all types of ways in the mid-range. The one-time Ole Miss commit, has tremendous athletic ability. He does a good job with his teammates. Smith has bounced around the last two years of high school so his next move is either junior college or pro ball.
19pts 7reb 3ast (vs. Woodstock Academy)
21pts 5reb 2/4 3pt (vs. Putnam Science)
