Stanford basketball player Josue Gil-Silva available as brand ambassador
Growing up in East Salinas, Josue Gil-Silva learned many lessons, but chief among them was to always “dream big.”
So the idea of a young Latino kid who loved basketball one day suiting up for the most prestigious university in the country did not seem so daunting.
“We have a video of him and his cousin Isa (Silva) in our backyard playing ball, wearing Stanford shorts,” said Jose Gil, Josue’s father and his coach at both Alisal High School and Salinas-based Gil Basketball Academy. “They would dream together about playing for the Cardinal.”
Last year that dream came true when Stanford coach Jarod Hasse elevated Josue to the roster following two years serving as team manager, joining his cousin in wearing the cardinal and white.
What is an athlete’s NIL?
While Isa has since transferred to Long Beach State, the two cousins are poised to take full advantage of their own name, image and likeness (NIL), and to build their personal brands while they are still in college.
This comes in the wake of new legislation that forced the NCAA (a multibillion dollar entertainment industry) to give up on amateurism in the college ranks.
Conceptually, NIL means that college athletes can now earn and accept money doing commercial endorsements, appearances and social media posts, writing books, hosting camps, giving lessons and performing various other commercial activities outside of their schools, all without running afoul of NCAA rules. Now, athletes can engage in commercial activity, sign contracts, pay taxes, make financial decisions whether to save or invest, and learn important lessons about how the business world really works.
A platform for social justice
NIL is also a platform for social justice initiatives, something not lost on the Gil-Silva family during Hispanic Heritage Month. The observance takes place every year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community.
A 6-foot-1 guard majoring in mechanical engineering at Stanford, Gil-Silva was named to the Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll for 2023. At Alisal he earned co-MVP honors in the Monterey Gabilan League as a senior, scoring 1,000 points for the school. Previous to that he played for under-15 and under-16 youth Mexican National Teams for Gil Basketball Academy, founded by his father and mother Eva Silva back in 2010.
A 6-foot-4 point guard who also played for GBA, Isa Silva was a consensus Top 100 recruit out of Jesuit High School in Sacramento (ranked as high as No. 53 by ESPN, and recruited by Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Texas and USC before choosing Stanford). Exceeding in the classroom as well, Silva is an Academic All-District selection, recognizing student-athletes who maintain a 3.50 GPA or higher while also playing a major role on their collegiate teams.
A prideful family background
What brings additional pride is the fact that both players’ family backgrounds include relatives who worked as migrant farmworkers.
Born in East Los Angeles and raised in East Salinas as the son of migrant parents, Jose Gil himself overcame the odds and earned his family’s first-ever college degree. Isa Silva’s grandfather Rafael came to the U.S. in 1952 through The Bracero Program.
Isa’s father Francisco Silva worked summers in the fields, went to Alisal High and eventually became Jose Gil’s college roommate. He’s now an attorney.
Because the academy has placed a focus beyond the lines of the court, it taught the two cousins certain principles that include service to others and education. Given that background, their charisma, their commitment to education and their athletic achievements, the two cousins make perfect NIL candidates.
Those who seek a healthy lifestyles ambassador, a face for a business or Latino brand or an endorsement for any product should reach out to Marci Bracco at BuzzPR at (831) 747-7455.
We are excited to start our academy nights next Monday, 3-13-23. Here are the breakdowns of the two sessions we offer;
Ages 4-12 from 6:30-7:45pm
Ages 13-17 from 7:45-9pm
If you have a remaining balance, have NOT received your academy uniform, or know of someone else that would like to register but hasn’t, please have them arrive early next Monday. Our volunteers will be ready to start answering questions, taking payments, handing out uniforms etc at 5:30pm. If you have registered or are interested in knowing more about our GBA Select AAU Traveling teams (flyer attached), please arrive and I will be there to answer questions.
We are having our Annual GBA Gala Event on 4-15-23. We invite you all to attend (18+ of age). We are going to need help from our academy parents to help us sell tickets to the event, please let me know if we could count on you to help us sell so that we can have some ready for you to take home with you Monday night. All help is greatly appreciated, as is your attendance to the fundraiser. Going to be a fun evening of dancing and honoring some amazing people in our community.
We also have a raffle of NHL SJ Sharks hockey tickets happening next week. Tickets re only $10. You can purchase yours at the academy Monday or help us by selling tickets as well, let me know how many you need.
See you all next week. Go GBA!
13th Annual North vs South Basketball Classic
“The Best of the Best” from the Central Coast counties: Monterey – Santa Cruz – San Benito
May 13th 2022
Alisal Highschool, Cork Haddan Gymnasium
777 Williams Rd. Salinas CA, 93905
4:00pm: 8th Girls All Star Game (East vs West) SUHSD
5:00pm: 8th Boys All Star Game (East vs West) SUHSD
6:00pm: HS Senior Girls All Star Game (South vs North)
7:30pm: HS Senior Boys All Star Game (South vs North)
Nayeli will compete this spring and summer against the top players in the country to pursue her dream of playing collegiate ball. Under Armour provides an elite league-style travel team circuit that allows players to showcase skills and talents on route to their dreams of playing in college. Congratulations to Nayeli!
Special Thank You To Our Annual Event Partner The Salinas PAL Center. We appreciate you.
GBA believes in empowering youth by helping them develop a world view.
2024 World Tour to Japan
2022 World Tour to Spain and France