Pathway to the Pros
New in 2023-24, DME at SJNA is your pathway to the pros, and the 2023 NBA Draft on June 22 held in Brooklyn, New York was a seminal night for the new partnership.
With two draft picks in quick succession, and the top-five pick of Keegan Murray in 2022, the partnership announced itself as a hub for top talent, and laid a clear pathway to the highest levels of the game for the next generation of DME at SJNA student-athletes
What is DME at SJNA?
The DME Boy's & Girl's Basketball Program is one of the most elite programs in the United States. We compete with the best programs in the country, including the likes of IMG Academy & Montverde. With a proven balance of academic and athletic success, our students are stretching their limits each and every year. With an elite facility, NBA roots, and a track record of success, we help aspiring athletes fulfill their dreams.
The Foundation for Success

Dan Panaggio
Dan is the Co-Founder of DME Academy and head of all basketball operations. He has coached three NBA teams as well as a trio of the most prestigious NCAA Division I programs including Oklahoma, Indiana, and Marquette.
A student of the game, Dan was a standout player for a State University of New York at Brockport team to an NCAA Final Four berth as a sophomore. He is a member of their Hall of Fame and is still the leading scorer in school history.

Wesley Person
Wesley’s incredible resume boasts 11 years as a player in the NBA spending his first year in the league with the Phoenix Suns, going 23rd overall in the 1994 NBA Draft.
When his playing career came to an end, Wesley transitioned into a coaching role, spending the last 20 plus years mentoring the next generation of athletes. Prior to joining DME in 2022, Persons was the head coach of the Greenville High School Tigers in Greenville, Alabama where he was named 2021 Coach of the Year.
The DME Difference
Committed Coaching
With decades of NBA experience, our hand selected staff is aggregated by legendary coach Dan Panaggio. With years of professional experience our team brings out the best in student-athletes as we continually compete with the best of the best.
Elite Training
Training every day with motivated athletes prepares us for the tough competition that we face on the court. We offer advanced strength and conditioning programs, an elite sports performance facility, mental training sessions & video technology to give an edge to our aspiring student- athletes.
Mindful Methodology
We believe that a positive & nurturing environment brings out the best in all athletes. Positive words have an encouraging impact on a person's confidence and are vital for healthy development. Our mindfulness methodology is engrained in our program.
Family Oriented
We recognize the importance of a strong work-life balance. The flexibility the DME Academy provides is unmatched. We take pride in how we work with our athlete's families regarding scheduling conflicts. Our commitment to training is unwavering yet flexible.

Make a Difference
The Joseph Bostic Memorial Scholarship Fund is a need-based financial-aid program designed to support student-athletes participating in the DME + SJNA basketball program, with the intent to elevate the program’s prominence and attract high level student-athletes who embody high standards of athletics, character, leadership, academic achievement, and leadership.
Learn More about DME Academy at SJNA
Ignite the Dream Today!