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OVER THE POND--Some 130 young basketball players took part in the second annual Island Hoops Youth Basketball Camp over the weekend, having done exceptionally well according to Island Hoops founder Paul Bell.
Celebrity basketball players Iman Shumpert, Chris Copeland and Corey Williams, together with NBA analyst Jeff Lenchiner of InsideHoops.com, came to the island to host the free camp, for amateur players of all ages, held at a jam-packed Melford Hazel Sports Complex Saturday and Sunday.
"There was an energy on the court that I have never seen on a St. Maarten basketball camp before," said Bell. "It was touching seeing so many kids going as hard as they went and putting in that amount of effort. A lot was required, and they delivered. They did exceptionally well and I was happy to be a part of it."
Shumpert, in St. Maarten for the second time, said that he enjoyed the interaction, energy and level of competition at the camp. Copeland, on the island for the first time, said that he was happy with what he experienced, and commented on the importance of such initiatives in this part of the world. He stressed to the young players that the road is not always easy, but that they could achieve high if they work hard.
The camp aimed to provide basketball skills development and encourage the youth to be ambitious, achieving goals both on and off the court.
Bell wanted to familiarise the youth to an intense and organised approach to lessons. "Having played in Europe was a rude awakening for me, considering the level of intensity and understanding of the game needed." He is a skills development coach and previously served on the "under 16" Netherlands Men's National Basketball team coaching staff.
Next year, organisers plan to go bigger and expand regionally. More professional players from the NBA as well as international players have already shown interest in participating.
Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Affairs OCJS Patricia Lourens-Philip, OCJS Secretary-General Jorien Wuite, OCJS former Minister Silveria Jacobs, Minister of Health Care, Social Development & Labour Cornelius de Weever and Head of the Department of Sports Jonelle Richardson were amongst those in attendance.
