When Brionne Gillion first spotted a gap in the market for athletic apparel in the Dominican Republic, he turned a simple idea into a thriving enterprise.
He expanded the venture from Santiago de los Caballeros to San Pedro de Marcoris, launching the Dominican Beach Fest and later acquiring Ahnvee Resort, laying the groundwork for a sports‑focused brand.
Building on that foundation, the Gillion brothers established a high school basketball program and academy that soon attracted elite prospects from across the United States.
From Beachside Festival to Elite Prospects
The academy, branded as Gillion Academy, became a launchpad for talent, with the Bewley twins — Zach and Ryan — joining the roster and later being recruited by Team Breakdown.
Their performances earned them contracts with Overtime Elite, a league created to offer an alternative to college basketball and provide direct compensation to players.
However, the move to OTE sparked a battle over NCAA eligibility, especially after the 2021 name, image and likeness policy shift that altered how athletes could monetize their status.
The Bewleys faced scrutiny over the benefits they received, but managed to navigate the rules while keeping their sights set on a college career, targeting programs such as Florida International University, the University of South Florida, Long Island University and others.
Their journey illustrates how a family‑run academy in the Dominican Republic can shape the next generation of basketball stars and influence the evolving landscape of amateur athletics.