Who we are

At Portland Select, we believe youth basketball should be about development first.

This program was created because we wanted full control over how players grow — not just as basketball players, but as people. Too many programs focus on collecting trophies, chasing rankings, and bringing home as many tournament t-shirts as possible. That’s not who we are.

At Portland Select, every decision is made with the player’s long-term development in mind. We place our teams in the right tournaments, against the right competition, and in environments that challenge players to improve the right way. We want our athletes to truly understand the game of basketball — learning discipline, IQ, teamwork, accountability, and confidence both on and off the court.

Our goal is not shortcuts or hype. Our goal is GROWTH.

We are committed to teaching the fundamentals, building strong habits, and helping every individual player reach their potential through hard work, coaching, and development-focused training. We believe success comes from doing things the right way, staying patient, and investing in each athlete’s future.

Portland Select is more than a basketball program. It’s a culture built around development, character, and a genuine passion for the game.

Meet our staff

Dakota Dearborn - Director

Dakota Dearborn is a former player at University of Southern Maine and currently serves as a men’s assistant coach for the program. With four years of AAU coaching and player development experience, Dakota has worked with athletes of all ages to help improve their skill set, basketball IQ, confidence, and overall understanding of the game.

As a college coach, Dakota understands today’s recruiting landscape and what it takes for athletes to compete at the next level. His experience allows him to help place players in the best possible situations for their long-term development while also helping families navigate the recruiting process and pursue their goals of playing college basketball.

Dakota’s coaching philosophy is centered around development, accountability, and teaching the game the right way — both on and off the court.

Alan Molnar - Coach/Trainer

University of Maine alumnus and former manager with a Division I basketball program, Alan Molnar brings a strong foundation of high-level basketball experience and player development to every athlete he coaches. After spending time as an assistant coach at Bowdoin College, Alan continued his coaching journey as the current head coach at North Yarmouth Academy.

Alan is passionate about helping players grow both on and off the court, emphasizing skill development, work ethic, and accountability in every practice. He believes coaching goes beyond basketball and strives to set a positive example of character, leadership, and discipline for the athletes he mentors every day.

Gabe Lash - Coach/Trainer

University of Southern Maine player Gabe Lash enters his second year of coaching while continuing his collegiate career at USM, where he is coming off a standout freshman season that included multiple Rookie of the Week honors. Prior to college, Gabe competed at a high level with Team Maine alongside Cooper Flagg on the EYBL circuit and also played for the White Mambas under former NBA player Brian Scalabrine.

Gabe brings a strong background in player development, skill training, and game preparation while also offering athletes a current player’s perspective on the college recruiting process. His experience competing and being recruited at high levels allows him to connect with players and help guide them both on and off the court.

Juan Bruce - COach/Trainer

Juan Bruce brings a strong combination of athletic performance knowledge, leadership, and hands-on training experience to athlete development. As an Exercise Science major and current member of the men’s basketball program, Juan understands the demands of competing at a high collegiate level and applies that experience directly to helping athletes reach their full potential.

Certified in athletic training and performance development, Juan specializes in helping athletes build muscle, improve mobility, and become more functionally athletic for their specific sport. His approach focuses on strength, movement efficiency, injury prevention, and overall athletic performance, creating training programs designed to maximize long-term development both on and off the court.

With a passion for mentorship and performance training, Juan is dedicated to helping athletes develop confidence, discipline, and the physical tools needed to succeed in their sport.