NEW YORK – (September 7, 2023) -- The BIG EAST Conference will host its ninth annual Freshmen Fundamentals men's basketball program September 9-10 in New York City.
 
Freshmen Fundamentals is a ground-breaking development program that provides men's basketball student-athletes with comprehensive tips and tools as they transition from high school to college and the elite level of basketball played in the BIG EAST.  All scholarship and walk-on men's basketball freshmen from the league's 11 schools are invited to attend. Thirty-seven freshmen will participate in this year's program.
 
The league's basketball student-athletes will hear from acclaimed experts in relationship management and safety, student-athlete mental health, media training and preparation for a professional career that does not include basketball.
 
Freshmen Fundamentals is hosted by Dan Leibovitz, BIG EAST Sr. Associate Commissioner for Men's Basketball.
 
"Freshmen Fundamentals is another example of the BIG EAST Conference's unmatched commitment to men's basketball and willingness to invest in our student-athletes' current and future well-being," said Leibovitz. "We have designed a program to maximize our time together and prepare these high-profile athletes for the challenges ahead as they pursue their dreams on and off the court. There will be interactive discussions involving former BIG EAST men's basketball greats and a group of presenters who will address pertinent issues in the current landscape of intercollegiate athletics and professional sports. We are thrilled to host this talented group and look forward to a fulfilling experience as we launch another exciting season of men's basketball in the BIG EAST."
 
Saturday's schedule begins with opening remarks from BIG EAST Commissioner Val Ackerman followed by a presentation from Jason Phillips, a licensed therapist who operates Peace and Prosperity Coaching. He is highly-sought for his experience in mental health and personal development. Phillips also has worked with the Department of Defense and the U.S. military as a counselor. He has been featured by numerous national media outlets.
 
The always popular BIG EAST former player panel returns. The panel will be moderated by Tarik Turner, a standout St. John's guard from 1995-98, who has enjoyed a successful business career in finance with leading New York investment firms. He also serves as an analyst for BIG EAST games on FOX Sports, the league's television partner.
 
Turner will lead a discussion about professional careers after graduation. The former player panel includes Georgetown's Jeff Green, Marquette's Justin Lewis, Providence's John Linehan and Villanova's Chris Walker. The group will also speak of their experiences as student-athletes in the BIG EAST Conference.
 
Green is a 15-year NBA veteran, who currently plays for the Houston Rockets. In 2007, he was the BIG EAST Player of the Year, the Most Outstanding Player in the BIG EAST Tournament and led the Hoyas to the NCAA Final Four.
 
Lewis played at Marquette from 2020-22 and was named Most Improved Player in the '21-22 season when he also won the BIG EAST scoring title. He is currently under contract with the Chicago Bulls.
 
Linehan graduated from Providence in 2002 after twice being named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year. He still holds the league record for career steals and steals in a single game. Linehan enjoyed a very successful career playing overseas until 2014 when he began his coaching career. He currently is an assistant coach at Saint Joseph's University.
 
Walker is a studio and game analyst for CBS Sports Network. He has over two decades of coaching experience, including at Villanova, his alma mater, where he graduated in 1992. As a player, Walker helped the Wildcats to two NCAA Tournament bids and two NIT appearances.
 
Kalimah Johnson, founder and executive director of Sexual Assault Services for Holistic Healing and Awareness (SASHA) in Detroit, Mich., has been a regular contributor at Freshmen Fundamentals and will address the group on Relationship Management and Safety. She has worked in the sexual assault and domestic violence field for over 20 years with the Michigan Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Detroit Police Department and Serenity Services.  Johnson graduated from Wayne State University's School of Social Work with a master's degree specializing in mental health and community organizing. She has provided counseling and advising for professional athletes, working with the NBA, NFL, NHL and NCAA.
 
BJ Johnson, Director of Player Evaluation for the Brooklyn Nets, will address the group about the process of how NBA teams evaluate players. In addition to his experience with the Nets, Johnson worked with USA Basketball and the U.S. Olympic Teams in 2016, 2012 and 2008. He served as Jr. National Team Director (2009-16). Johnson played as a walk-on at Villanova and graduated in 2002. He joined the Nets in 2016.
 
Ricki Dean, Sr. Director, Player Matters for the NBA Players Association, will speak to the players about her role of overseeing player services and crisis management for all active players. Dean is also responsible for ICONic, a transitional support program for NBA players under age 21. Dean was a women's basketball team manager as a student at North Carolina and earned a master's degree at Georgetown.
 
At the end of Saturday's sessions, the players will visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in lower Manhattan.
 
Sunday's program will begin with a media training session. Dave Popkin, who has handled play-by-play duties for numerous national outlets, including CBS Sports Network and FS1, will lead the session. For the last 20 years he also has been on the Seton Hall radio team. Popkin has directed the Sports Broadcasting Camp for aspiring broadcasters at Montclair State University for 21 years. 
 
The Sunday sessions will conclude with Claude Johnson, founder and executive director of the Black Fives Foundation. Johnson's mission is to research, preserve, showcase, teach and honor the pre-NBA history of African-Americans in basketball. The BIG EAST has been a partner with the Black Fives Foundation in helping to educate and recognize Black Fives history for the past two years.
 
After the Sunday sessions, the players will go to Madison Square Garden, home of the BIG EAST Tournament since 1983, for a tour of the building.
 
The BIG EAST:
The BIG EAST Conference is an association of 11 nationally prominent colleges and universities that foster healthy athletic competition, community service and the pursuit of excellence in academic environments.  The BIG EAST-sponsored athletic programs of our institutions provide national-caliber participation opportunities for more than 3,800 student-athletes on over 200 men's and women's teams in 22 sports.  Established in 1979 and headquartered in New York City, the BIG EAST's members are located in eight of the country's top 38 largest media markets and include Butler University, University of Connecticut, Creighton University, DePaul University, Georgetown University, Marquette University, Providence College, St. John's University, Seton Hall University, Villanova University and Xavier University.  For more information, visit www.bigeast.com.