Basketball without Borders turns page with inaugural Global Camp

NEW YORK (Basketball without Borders) - The first-ever Basketball without Borders Global Camp is in the books after the successful event was concluded as part of the recent NBA All-Star weekend (13-15 February).

Incorporating 39 of the top 16-to-18-year-old players from no fewer than 23 nations across the globe, the camp at Baruch College in Manhattan was attended by a glut of NBA stars and coaches, who all worked with participants on both life and basketball skills.

The campers were given clinics on a range of topics including movement efficiency, positional skill work, shooting and skill competitions.

There was also 5-on-5 scrimmaging with BWB alum Danilo Gallinari of the Denver Nuggets and input from NBA coaches Kaleb Canales of the Dallas Mavericks, Jama Mahlalela of the Toronto Raptors and both James Moran and David Vanterpool of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Attendees participated in life-skills seminars, focusing on character-building and leadership development, while also attending the NBA FIT All-Star Celebration.

On day one, they were also able to view the newly-reformatted BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge, where they saw former BWB campers Gorgui Dieng and Nikola Mirotic.

Dieng visited the camp itself on day two and told those present to take advantage of the opportunity to learn from NBA players and coaches.

There were several other visitors during the day, including NBA Ambassador to Africa Hakeem Olajuwon, Raptors President and General Manager Masai Ujiri and NBA Africa Managing Director Amadou Gallo Fall, who emphasised the importance of education, respect, and perseverance.

The campers then attended All-Star Saturday Night at the Barclays Center, where they saw Stephen Curry win the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest and Zach LaVine win the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest.

The last day of the landmark camp saw those present listen to talks by NBA Champions Tiago Splitter and Ron Harper, along with Gersson Rosas of the Houston Rockets - all of whom stressed hard work and the importance of finding ways to improve as a person and a player every day.

Meanwhile a proud Dragan Bender of Croatia was named MVP of the first-ever BWB Global Camp.

The climax of the weekend came when camp attendees visited the 64th All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden.

The next BWB Global Camp will be held at All-Star 2016 in Toronto and is expected to now become an annual All-Star tradition.

FIBA