Basketball Camps

In the wake of allegations of aggressive recruiting of young athletes, the NCAA has formally banned contact between coaches and middle school athletes. As recruiting has become more competitive, many coaches have sought to circumvent restrictions on contact with underclassmen by establishing relationships with top middle school players before they reach high school – the NCAA ruling from the Legislative Council comes as an emergency ruling based upon feedback from parents and high school coaches.

The NCAA views the early recruiting as potentially damaging to young athletes, as it opens the door for further policy abuses. With national player rankings emerging in Grade 5, many students were actively recruited by coaches before they even played a single high school game – these contacts ranged from friendships with assistant coaches to favorable treatment during AAU and competitive basketball camps, along with letters and phone calls. As a result, many players have issued non-binding commitments to their teams in the 8th grade, a trend the NCAA is aiming to curtail.

In vocal support, the NBA agreed with the decision, which mirrors its own decision to limit draftees to those who have at least one year playing experience outside of high school – in practice, this has meant that players either play a year in the NCAA or, instead, play a year in pro European leagues. College officials are also considering recommendations to narrow the window of contact between high school players and coaches, along with giving college players less time to enter the draft – proposals designed to increase the focus on amateur play and diminish the in-season distractions from scouts.

Each year, the top high school players in the country are designated as McDonald’s All Americans. Nearly all of these players play at the collegiate level (now that the NBA has a rule requiring a year of experience before entering the draft.) Our hoops experts wanted to look back and evaluate how far the 2008 All-Americans have come since last season.

Al-Farouq Aminu
The former Georgia star is now playing for Wake Forest, which has been ranked near the top of the country this year. As a 6′9” power forward, Aminu is averaging 12.6 points per game as the team’s 3rd leading scorer.

Tyreke Evans
Hailing from Pennsylvania, Evans now leads a highly rated Memphis squad which reached the finals last season, losing many players to the NBA Draft. Evans is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 16.6 PPG.

Samardo Samuels
After playing in New Jersey, by way of Jamaica, Samuels plays center for the University of Louisville, where he is a regular starter averaging 15 points per game for the highly ranked Cardinals.

Demar DeRozan
As one of California’s top players, DeRozan plays for USC and is one of the top shooting guards in the country. He is averaging just over 12 points per game as a regular starter for the Trojans, one of the top teams in the PAC-10.

Jrue Holiday
Playing at UCLA, Holiday is a top point guard from California who has had an instant impact for the Bruins. Holiday is averaging just over 9 points per game and has started every single game this season.

Brandon Jennings
Bypassing the NCAA, Jennings now plays in the Italian Pro League for Lottomatica Roma where he has been a backup player. Widely expected to enter the 2009 NBA Draft, Jennings is averaging just over 8 points per game in the league, playing only 17 minutes per contest.

The University of Montana is organizing three youth and amateur basketball camps this summer for area athletes. Led by the coaching staff at the school, including head coach Wayne Tinkle as well as current Varsity players, the camps will teach a variety of skills to players of all levels.

Starting in June, the team will host its high school camp, which is both for individuals and teams, who will compete for a spot in the Montana Big Sky Games which are held in the capital of Billings. Local schools may participate, while other state schools can utilize the school’s overnight facilities. Designed to bring together the top amateur athletes in the region for instruction from leading collegiate players and instructors, the Camp will also hold a clinic for current and prospective officials.

In July, the team also holds a fundamentals camp for young athletes, as well as high school players, where the focus is on position and skill development. In particular, the camps will focus on scrimmage play as well as fast breaks, shooting, foul shots and conditioning. Taught by the University’s athletic staff, players will focus on building up skills they can bring back to next year’s basketball season at all levels.

A camp for younger players, those in elementary and middle school, will be held starting on July 14. With instruction from Montana coaches, players will learn fundamental skills of passing, conditioning, position and team skills. Known for its quality instruction, the camps provide an ideal structure for players of all ages.

As this year’s high school basketball season heads up and we head into district playoffs, Basketball Camps looked at some of the top national prospects across the country at each position:

Derrick Favors (Center)
A 6′9” forward from Atlanta, Favors is currently ranked near the top of his recruiting class and plans on attending Georgia Tech in the fall. Scouts are impressed by his versatility, as he can play from the perimeter as well as the point, and has a solid defensive and rebounding presence as well. Known for his solid character, Favors is a hard worker who should have a solid career ahead of him.

John Wall (Point Guard)
The top point guard in this year’s recruiting class, Wall hails from a private school in Raleigh, North Carolina, near powerhouse programs Duke and North Carolina. Planning to attend UNC, Wall is known for his quick play and his vision on the court; at last summer’s elite basketball camps, he showed his talent as well as the need for him to improve his shooting.

John Henson (Power Forward)
A power forward with center size, the 6′10” Henson leads Sickles High School in Tampa. After leading an impressive performance as the anchor for the Franchize All-Stars AAU team, coaches were impressed by his ability to run the court and play solid defense.

Xavier Henry (Shooting Guard)
Coming from an athletic family, where his brother plays professional baseball and his father played college hoops, Henry is among the most heralded recruits in his class. A 6′6” shooting guard with strong athleticism and the ability to shoot from nearly any point on the court, Henry is a strong competitor and has dominated high school basketball in his native Oklahoma City, heading to Memphis in the fall.

Lance Stephenson (Small Forward)
One of the top players in New York, Stephenson has averaged over 20 points per game for Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn. As a physical player, he can shoot and attack on the drive, making him poised for a successful career at the next level.

Entering this season, many coaches and NCAA officials were concerned that the perimeter game had come to dominate play, resulting in less intense games that relied too heavily upon 3-point shots. As a result, the NCAA moved the 3-point line back a foot to encourage post play down low. Based upon early statistics, the move is having some impact upon field goal percentages, although the impact upon game strategies is still far from clear.

Many leading high school and AAU coaches believed that elite players didn’t get the proper experience at the collegiate level due to the over-reliance upon three point shots. Even when the NBA instituted its requirement that players have at least one year experience beyond high school to enter the draft, this new minimum became the new mandatory, with players such as Michael Beasley playing a single year and others, such as Brandon Jennings, opting for a year of play in the European professional leagues.

The next three point line is still not quite to NBA Distance, although it is now beyond standard international (Olympic) lines. So far, teams are attempting roughly 18.5 shots per game, down from 19 last year; at the same time, 3 point percentages are down from last year’s 35% to just above 34% for this season. Some teams, however, such as Notre Dame, have continued to shoot beyond 40% from behind the arc, resulting in little shift in their strategies. Since most college players are well conditioned enough to hit longer shots, the main change is in players getting accustomed to the line (they must resist the temptation to look down and identify the line) and being more careful with shot selection.

Many basketball camps for guards are focusing on the full range of options available to players, including setting up post plays, screens, drives and reseting for better position. As a result, the transition from high school to college will likely be streamlined for many players.

Designed to provide top instruction to elite high school players, the Hoop Group has coached hundreds of players who advanced to the next level (NCAA ball) and beyond. Alumni include top college player Gerald Henderson and NBA Star Dwight Howard, each of whom went through the camp on their way to the next level.

Not only do the camps provide a higher level of instruction for elite athletes, but they also provide exposure to get student athletes’ names in from of college coaches. Many players are dominant at their individual school or conference but haven’t yet competed with major city talent; Hoop Group’s Elite Camps gives players a chance to face off against premier plays in their region, while also allowing them to be seen by college coaches throughout the country.

Hosted in top notch facilities, student athletes get exposure from expert trainers and coaches, who work with each athlete on an individual basis to improve his or her game. At least year’s camp nearly 1,000 college coaches, from all levels, participated – resulting in great exposure for athletes who might otherwise fly under the radar. By competing with top athletes from throughout the country, you’ll be able to really gauge where your level is skill is at as you head into next season. Hoop Group also puts on special position-based camps for guards and centers to learn perimeter and post-play at a higher level.

The instructors all have experienced in higher level basketball, and many of them have connections to higher level coaches. On the first day of camp, instructors will evaluate the players’ skill levels to make sure they are practicing with their peer group; each stage of the camp is well designed to ensure an optimal experience.

Offering comprehensive instruction for youth basketball players of all ages, Nike Sports Camps focus on the fundamentals, led by experienced instructors who focus on complete player growth. With locations throughout the country, Nike Camps are within driving distance from nearly every major city.

The camps are designed to encourage passion and excitement for the game, which aims to help students develop habits that will led to athletic and personal growth. While smaller, more focused camps might help players directly improve their play more, Nike camps will help build enthusiasm for the sport and help young athletes connect with students their age. Overall, the aim of the camps is to have fun and provide an affordable day camp where students can learn from experienced instructors.

Each session covers complete fundamental skills, with divisions for beginner, intermediate and advanced players.. Additionally, Nike offers specialized skill camps including shooting, post and perimeter play, to help players improve their own set of skills. Unlike other skills camps which are expensive and invitation only, the Nike Skill camps are open registration and everyone can participate. Since the camps are only a single day long, you can still participate in any other camp, along with obligations for summer leagues and studies. As a result, we recommend your local Nike camp to supplement your existing instruction, rather than as a substitute in its entirety. Sponsored by both Nike and Power Bar, the camps are offered in a wide range of sports and feature knowledgeable coaches who will put on a solid environment for learning.

A rigorous instructional camp for players aspiring to the next level, Point Guard College is designed for high school and college players who want to elevate their games. Unlike many camps which focus on conditioning and socializing, Point Guard College covers the thinking aspect of the game, challenging players to make better decisions in the context of fast play.

The components of the camp include classroom based learning where students are led by expert instructors who challenge them to make quick decisions in the context of game tape. Additionally, students will watch video of their own play and are asked to critique their decisions and make changes which can improve their play. Students bond together in their pursuit of better play, learning to challenge their own beliefs about the game for the sake of game improvement. Each day builds on the next, where practice and conditioning time on the court builds upon the lessons learned from the previous day. Additionally, the focus of the camp on the point guard position encourages players to become leaders on and off the court by helping them to focus on solutions to adverse situations affecting their team.

As a full week experience, the camp gives players a chance to form friendships with fellow players at all levels. Each day, students are tested, both directly and indirectly, on what they learn, with an aim of sharpening the focus and enhancing retention of knowledge. In fact, guards of all types are invited to apply for the camp, which gives a unique perspective for both men and women who want to take their play to the next level. Led by experienced directors who work regularly with College, NBA and WNBA teams, Point Guard instructors are specialists in player development and often working in a scouting capacity for various programs outside of their work with the camp.

Growing up in a basketball family, Rick Barry had several brothers who went onto play professional ball. Barry himself had a stellar career at the University of Miami before becoming the second overall pick in the 1965 NBA Draft, which started off his 15 year career in the league. Named to eight all star teams, as well as earning rookie of the year honors and being inducted into the Hall of Fame, Barry now is involved in a number of leading coaching and basketball education ventures.

His fantasy basketball camp brings together leading former NBA players who share techniques, memories and insights into the professional game. Whether you are a serious fan looking to improve your knowledge of the game or are a player seeking some opportunity to hone your play, the Fantasy Camp can help give you a great experience.

Situated in Sonoma Valley, California, the camp is held in wine country, where participants enjoy parties, meals, instruction, memorabilia and life lessons from several leading Hall of Fame basketball players. Held every October, the weather is perfect for outdoor activities and provides a great experience that you won’t be soon to forget. Designed to provide a window for fans to better understand the world of pro sports, Barry often highlights the event with speeches that recount his illustrious career, as well as those of his fellow instructors. At this years camp, leading pro players Clifford Ray, Alvin Attles and Nate Thurmond will provide additional insights to participants. Ray played 10 years in the NBA with the Bulls and Warriors, winning a championship in 1975 and continuing to provide coaching and instruction to basketball players as an Assistant Coach for the Atlanta Hawks. Attles played for over a decade in the NBA and coached the Golden State Warriors from 1970 to 1983, winning the 1975 Championship team that Ray was a part of. Thurmond played for 14 years in the NBA, earning Hall of Fame honors with 7 All-Star appearances and a record as one of the most potent rebounders in the league.

Featuring some of the leading professional coaches and players, the Better Basketball DVD instructional set provides valuable advice for young athletes aspiring to the next level. Organized by Rick Torbett, who has coached professionally for decades, the DVDs feature an array of stars including Jason Kidd, Chauncey Billups and J.J. Redick covering a wide variety of techniques.

Each DVD in the set offers a comprehensive take on a particular skill set, ranging from Shooting to Ball Handling, Defense, Passing and Post Positioning. Unlike many instructional sets, Torbett focused on fundamental skills rather than flashy highlight reel plays, which are all-too-common in street ball videos. For serious students of the game, you will appreciate the use of analysis, ranging from positioning to angles to serious conditioning drills. These techniques emerged based upon Torbett’s work with champion coaches such as Bill Self and Nancy Liberman.

Importantly, when the tapes show game footage, they do so in the context of education, rather than entertainment. As a result, the series provides a useful learning tool for students at nearly every level. To supplement training and workouts, the videos help players to better understand the game through development of fundamental understanding. Each video has been professionally produced to offer high quality production techniques, making them easy to follow and logical in progression. One of the drawbacks to the series, however, is that it doesn’t provide broad enough coverage to the different styles and defenses a player is likely to face across different leagues, so coaches will have to supplement the material with their own input. Additionally, it may be hard to integrate the lessons into daily practice without constant viewing or reminders of the techniques. Still, the videos are among the best on the market, and will work well when supplementing a more integrated approach to teaching the sport. Here’s a preview of the zone video: