The Fort Myers Tip-Off and Gulf Coast Showcase are both returning to Southwest Florida this week. The two popular college basketball tournaments will be held at Suncoast Credit Union Arena on the campus of Florida Southwestern and Hertz Arena.
The Gulf Coast Showcase is in its 11th year of playing in Southwest Florida. However, this season's tournament is going to be extra special because a Naples native is coming home to play in it.
Yvens Paul was born and raised in Naples. He went to Barron Collier High School, where he put together a stellar career on the court, even leading the Cougars to a 20-10 record and a district championship his senior year.
"I loved it," Paul said. "The energy was great. I loved my teammates and my coach."
After graduating from Barron Collier in 2022, Paul didn't go far to start his college career. A short drive up I-75 landed him at Florida Southwestern. Paul redshirted his first year with the Buccaneers before turning in a stellar season last year. As a redshirt freshman, Paul played in all 31 games and started in 19. He averaged eight points, six rebounds and two blocks per game.
"It was something I really needed," Paul said. "FSW was great for me."
His play caught the eye of A.W. Hamilton who recruited Yvens to Eastern Kentucky. Now, he is playing Division I basketball with the Colonels.
"He was probably the most exciting recruit that we got," Hamilton said. "He’s electrified our team. He’s been absolutely incredible for us."
Paul began his first season at EKU, coming off the bench as a role player. However, after just three games, Yvens did enough to earn a spot in the starting lineup.
The promotion could not have come at a better time. The Colonels are about to compete in the Gulf Coast Showcase at Hertz Arena, which is just 20 miles from where Paul grew up.
"I’m going to have quite a few people come out to these games," Paul said. "Just being able to see my family crowd, seeing them watch me, it’s going to give me an extra boost."
Yvens knows it is a special opportunity to come home and play in front of his friends and family, especially around the holidays. He says he isn't taking this experience for granted and likes to represent Southwest Florida in the Division I basketball world.
"I’m happy to put on for the city," Paul said. "It’s special to me."
Paul and Eastern Kentucky will play three games this week at the Gulf Coast Showcase. On Monday they play Ball State, Tuesday they play Southern Illinois, and Wednesday they play Louisiana Tech. All of the games will start at noon and will be held at Hertz Arena in Estero.