PointGuardU.com
07-01-2009, 11:52 AM
Former Cats Give Back
By GJ Fimbres
PointGuardU.com
The Arizona Basketball Academy has entered its ninth year and is a joint effort by the Tucson Boys and Girls Club and former Arizona Basketball Player Joseph Blair. It is held at the North West Center and finishes up this coming Thursday.[coverattach=1]
When I arrived to the camp last Monday there were close to 60 kids participating. The kids were being split up into teams and were put under the placement of JB’s staff to help teach and improve individual skills. Some of the most notable amongst the staff were former Arizona Men’s Basketball players Fendi Onobun, David Bagga, Mohamed Tangara and former Arizona Women’s Basketball players Reshea Bristol and Felicity Willis who both have had an opportunity to play in the WNBA.
Before the kids start each day, they are introduced to a rigorous warm up session. “It’s almost as bad as what Coach O had us do,” said David Bagga.
Once their warm up session is complete, the kids then work to improve individual drills. Stations are set up around the six basketball hoops in the center with each one representing a different skill. They range from free throw and dribble exercises to three-point shooting and defensive posture and positioning. Each volunteer takes the care and time needed to explain and help the kids understand the importance of proper technique and a positive attitude that is required to succeed at much more than just basketball.
Through all the drills and exercises that the kids go through, the main focus in every lesson is the importance of teamwork and respect. For you youngsters that plan on attending; do not let JB catch you talking while someone else has the floor. The result is push-ups for not only you but your entire team.
Working as a team is not only emphasized for push-ups but in all aspects of the academy. After the skills improvements, teams take the floor for five on five scrimmages. Coaches on the sidelines relay signals to their team on which defense to play, whether to push the ball or slow it down. If you start show boating or ball hogging, they are quick to pull you from the game and sit you down. It is evident that the coaches care more about getting through to a youngster and teaching a lesson than the final score.
It is a lot of hard work for the kids but they come away with more than just being better basketball players and basic skills to succeed in life. The memories of the experience will live with them forever. Being taught by players who were taught by a legend is priceless but the memories can extend much further than that. It is not very often you get to see the real side of the players that you watch on TV. One small example was an interaction between Fendi Onobun and Mohamed Tangara.
“Fendi can you dunk over Mo?” one of the kids asked.
“Oh easily, Mo isn’t a threat,” Fendi responded.
This started some back and forth trash talking between Mo and Fendi for close to three minutes.
“Don’t worry Fendi, we don’t want the kids to see me block you,” Tangara said.
“You block me? Please. Let’s do this well.”
Fendi then proceeded to walk out to the three-point line while Tangara took position near the basket. As Fendi started to dribble, Tangara took a step forward which immediately caused Fendi to stop and accuse Tangara of cheating because he was too far out from the basket. Tangara called Fendi scared and Fendi called Tangara a cheater for the next couple minutes until JB started announcing which teams would be playing next.
The Arizona Basketball Academy teaches a lot more than just basketball skills to kids. It is easy to see that Joseph Blair cares about each and every kid that walks through the door of his camp. He has surrounded himself with the perfect staff to help teach the lessons that will help each child succeed.
Check out the website for the Arizona Basketball Academy at www.azbasketballacademy.com and find out more about how you can help keep the camp open for years to come.
By GJ Fimbres
PointGuardU.com
The Arizona Basketball Academy has entered its ninth year and is a joint effort by the Tucson Boys and Girls Club and former Arizona Basketball Player Joseph Blair. It is held at the North West Center and finishes up this coming Thursday.[coverattach=1]
When I arrived to the camp last Monday there were close to 60 kids participating. The kids were being split up into teams and were put under the placement of JB’s staff to help teach and improve individual skills. Some of the most notable amongst the staff were former Arizona Men’s Basketball players Fendi Onobun, David Bagga, Mohamed Tangara and former Arizona Women’s Basketball players Reshea Bristol and Felicity Willis who both have had an opportunity to play in the WNBA.
Before the kids start each day, they are introduced to a rigorous warm up session. “It’s almost as bad as what Coach O had us do,” said David Bagga.
Once their warm up session is complete, the kids then work to improve individual drills. Stations are set up around the six basketball hoops in the center with each one representing a different skill. They range from free throw and dribble exercises to three-point shooting and defensive posture and positioning. Each volunteer takes the care and time needed to explain and help the kids understand the importance of proper technique and a positive attitude that is required to succeed at much more than just basketball.
Through all the drills and exercises that the kids go through, the main focus in every lesson is the importance of teamwork and respect. For you youngsters that plan on attending; do not let JB catch you talking while someone else has the floor. The result is push-ups for not only you but your entire team.
Working as a team is not only emphasized for push-ups but in all aspects of the academy. After the skills improvements, teams take the floor for five on five scrimmages. Coaches on the sidelines relay signals to their team on which defense to play, whether to push the ball or slow it down. If you start show boating or ball hogging, they are quick to pull you from the game and sit you down. It is evident that the coaches care more about getting through to a youngster and teaching a lesson than the final score.
It is a lot of hard work for the kids but they come away with more than just being better basketball players and basic skills to succeed in life. The memories of the experience will live with them forever. Being taught by players who were taught by a legend is priceless but the memories can extend much further than that. It is not very often you get to see the real side of the players that you watch on TV. One small example was an interaction between Fendi Onobun and Mohamed Tangara.
“Fendi can you dunk over Mo?” one of the kids asked.
“Oh easily, Mo isn’t a threat,” Fendi responded.
This started some back and forth trash talking between Mo and Fendi for close to three minutes.
“Don’t worry Fendi, we don’t want the kids to see me block you,” Tangara said.
“You block me? Please. Let’s do this well.”
Fendi then proceeded to walk out to the three-point line while Tangara took position near the basket. As Fendi started to dribble, Tangara took a step forward which immediately caused Fendi to stop and accuse Tangara of cheating because he was too far out from the basket. Tangara called Fendi scared and Fendi called Tangara a cheater for the next couple minutes until JB started announcing which teams would be playing next.
The Arizona Basketball Academy teaches a lot more than just basketball skills to kids. It is easy to see that Joseph Blair cares about each and every kid that walks through the door of his camp. He has surrounded himself with the perfect staff to help teach the lessons that will help each child succeed.
Check out the website for the Arizona Basketball Academy at www.azbasketballacademy.com and find out more about how you can help keep the camp open for years to come.