Sports

Roman Perez aka da Gift has love and passion for the game of basketball

Published

4 years ago

January 20, 2021

Sports can be played for fun and recreation, but for many it can change our lives forever. For professional basketball player Roman Perez, the game of basketball has helped him succeed in his life but also impact many along his journey. On and off the court he’s a leader, and through his story he hopes to continue to motivate others to never lose hope on their dreams and goals.

Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Brooklyn, New York, his story starts in the neighborhood of Williamsburg. Falling in love with game at a young age, but not playing or practicing were some of the obstacles he faced. His community was dangerous to be around and this resulted to his parents not letting him go out to the playgrounds. Instead, he would collect basketball cards, play basketball videos games, and be creative at home with his younger brother Jay Perez.

As a kid his dreams was to prove his peers that he was a good basketball player, but the result was being mistreated in his younger years because of his lack of skills. Getting cut from 6th – 12th grade and his first year in college, only motivated Roman to continue to fight for what he wanted to accomplish. His parents trusted him in his late teen years to finally go out to the parks. He made sure to take advantage of the open opportunity to train and work hard on his skills, to improve and become better daily.

After years of this regimen, his continuation and dedication paid off when he played for his first organized team in college. Years of practicing in the parks, and playing in New York city asphalts tournaments helped him reach this goal. Transferring to his second school, his dreams were getting closer. He made the leap to play professionally, proving himself that with discipline and perseverance we can accomplish lots in our lives. He’s an active basketball player, and is currently a member of the world-famous Court Kingz basketball team where he will be using his home nickname “da Gift”.

Off the basketball court he’s the founder of the Dudo Baez foundation, which is named after his late father. The foundation provides inner city adults and youths with camps, clinics, and tournaments. It’s based in the Dominican Republic, New York and growing in different parts of the world. His goal is to give hope for those who are in need of it through the game. He’s a mentor and motivational speaker as well, leaving others with self-belief in their individual lives.

The Roman Perez story is one of never giving up and the fruit of success will be there waiting. He currently trains his daughter Leia Perez, in hopes of her personal success in her journey with the game of basketball. Lastly, his upcoming documentary “I am Victorious’, is set to release later this year on social media platforms.

Check out Roman Perez at

www.romanperez.net

And his Instagram-

www.instagram.com/romanperez4

Sports

Prep Soccer Names Saint Louis University Men’s Soccer Player Jackson Delkus as the 2024 Nationwide #1 Soccer Player for Fall 2024

Published

2 months ago

October 9, 2024

Jonathan Grilli

Photo courtesy of Jackson Delkus

By: Georgette Virgo

“Prep Soccer” crowned Jackson Delkus, a 6’0″ forward from St. Louis, Missouri, the top high school boys soccer player in the nation for 2024. The former Laurel Springs student and St. Louis City SC Academy standout earned this prestigious ranking through his skills, versatility, and dedication to the sport.

Delkus’ rise to the top spot is no surprise to those who have followed his journey on the soccer field. Last July 2024, Saint Louis University’s Men’s soccer team proudly announced Jackson Delkus as part of their 2024 recruiting class. “Top Drawer Soccer” recognized him as the #1 player for the Class of 2024 in Heartland.

A Versatile Powerhouse on the Field

His versatility and record-breaking speed characterize Delkus’ playing style. Primarily positioned as a forward, Jackson Delkus excels in multiple positions across the front line, including left-wing, right-wing, and striker. His seamless transition between these roles makes him a threat to any defense.

Saint Louis University head men’s soccer coach Kevin Kalish speaks highly of Jackson Delkus. He mentions, “Jackson is a powerful attacker with incredible speed and a high work rate who can make plays in the attacking half of the field. I have watched him for most of his youth career, and he is an intense competitor who thrives under the spotlight.”

His well-rounded skill set complements Delkus’s offensive skills. Despite his natural inclination toward attacking play, he has developed strong defensive capabilities, often tracking back to support his team’s defense and disrupt opponents’ plays. This two-way play style has made him an asset to his team.

Breaking Records and Pushing Limits

As a soccer player who always strives to bring his A-game, Jackson Delkus is committed to self-improvement, as highlighted in his weekly one-on-one striker training and impressive physical achievements. He holds the freshman record for sprints at Chaminade College Preparatory School, showcasing his exceptional speed of 11.72 in 100 meters and 25.17 in 200 meters.

His December 2023 speed record of 23.4 miles per hour at Legion of Strength, a training facility frequented by professional and amateur athletes in the St. Louis area, further strengthens his speed record.

From speed, Jackson Delkus also shows his ability to score. During the fall 2021 season, Delkus’s speed and skill combination made him the top scorer for the St. Louis City SC Academy U16 team.

These feats of athleticism are not mere numbers; they translate directly to Delkus’ performance on the pitch. His pace allows him to beat defenders, create space for teammates, and capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Aside from improving his speed and scoring, a big part of Delkus’ training is to develop his weaker foot, resulting in a playing style that keeps defenders guessing. “Although I’m naturally right-footed, I’ve put in countless hours to improve my left foot,” Jackson Delkus shares. “Now, most of my goals come from my left foot, which gives me a significant advantage on the field.”

The young forward has also unintentionally created his signature look on the field with his terrycloth headband, making him easily recognizable to fans and opponents alike. This trademark has only added to his growing reputation in the soccer community.

A Bright Future Ahead

As Jackson Delkus joins Saint Louis University’s Men’s soccer program, expectations are high for his continued development. His combination of speed, skill, and versatility positions him as a potential game-changer at the collegiate level and beyond.

Despite his recognition and strong presence on the soccer field, Jackson Delkus remains grounded and focuses on his continued growth as a player. “Being named the top high school player by Prep Soccer is an incredible honor, but I know this is just the beginning,” he mentions. “I’m excited to join Saint Louis University and continue pushing myself to new heights.”

Delkus’ rising career as a soccer player, highlighted by his recognition as the nation’s top high school player, is a valuable addition to this portfolio and a crucial step toward his journey of playing professionally.

However, Jackson Delkus believes there’s still much to achieve. With his abilities and limitless potential, he looks forward to continuously impacting the sport today and in the future.