OUR MISSION
Gil Basketball Academy mentors and empowers East Salinas youth by building athletic skill, leadership, discipline, work ethic and a lifelong commitment to their community.
Our Story
Co-founded in 2009 by the husband-and-wife team of Jose Gil and Eva Silva, Gil Basketball Academy serves as an investment in the youth of East Salinas, with ongoing efforts to strengthen the community from the inside out.
Athletes participate in camps, clinics and individual training that build strong basketball fundamentals. Just as important, they learn teamwork, accountability and perseverance — important skills to use off the court.
Led by an all-volunteer team of coaches and administrators, the nonprofit integrates youth development principles into every program. College tours, motivational speakers, field trips, and travel experiences expose athletes to life beyond their immediate surroundings and encourage them to dream bigger.
A decades-long basketball coach and athletic director at Alisal High School, Gil is driven by his deep love for the sport and his own East Salinas community. The former Alisal High student-athlete always envisioned a program where basketball could open doors — not just to competition, but to confidence, education and opportunity. What began as a local training effort has grown into a year-round academy serving more than 450 boys and girls ages 4 to 17.
In 2025, Gil earned KSBW’s Golden Whistle Award, an honor recognizing outstanding high school coaches who have a meaningful, positive impact on their players’ lives and help transform them both on and off the field/court.
The award recognized the academy’s purpose. For both Gil and Silva, it has never been solely to create better players, but to help shape healthier, stronger and more capable young adults.
Community Impact
GBA is built on the belief that engaged youth build safer, stronger communities. The academy promotes physical health through organized activity and encourages habits that help combat childhood obesity and diabetes. It also provides structure during critical developmental years, giving young people a positive outlet for their energy and ambition.
For many families, GBA is more than a basketball program. It is mentorship, accountability and a sense of belonging. Through travel opportunities and international World Tours, athletes gain exposure to new cultures and environments, expanding their worldview and confidence. These experiences help students imagine futures filled with education, careers and leadership.
Success is measured not just in wins, but in personal growth — students who stay committed to school, return as mentors, and carry their lessons back into the community.