Summer camps are being served up left, right and center this year, and with this buffet of recreational outlets, competition for the best camp is stiff. One that has genuine star power and will certainly receive top billing for it, is the pride basketball camp being hosted this week by the NBA's Milton Palacio. The camp was enthusiastically received in San Pedro for the past two days, and rolled into the Landivar Gym in Belize City today. We were there as over 100 city kids saw hoop dreams materialize when they got to share a few moments with the only man in the NBA who calls Belize home:
Indira Craig reporting,
Indira Craig
It's not the NBA - but Milton Palacio, one of the 350 in the NBA brotherhood, was at the Landivar Gym today sharing knowledge on the roundball fundamentals that he learned as a child growing up in Los Angeles. Iit's the third day of camp - the first in Belize City - and Palacio says he's been blown away by the response from children in Belize City and San Pedro.
Milton Palacio
Great responses, I mean in San Pedro, they didn't want us to leave out there.
Indira Craig
And from the looks of things, that's how it will be in the city - where Palacio's hoop dreams and wisdom are lapped up by the 120 children attending this first day of camp.And while Milton is the name brand - he's receiving able assistance from BBL stars like Keith Acosta, Clinton Fuller and Coach Fred Garcia. With occasional interventions from Palacio, they're leading the boys and girls through defensive, shooting and passing drills, while also offering counseling.
Fred Garcia
Well, we're working on the fundamentals of the game, we are working on passing, defense. We are talking about learning how to shoot, what's the proper stanz, the triple threat position, you know. When you came in earlier, that's what I was working on - the catch, the point, the release technique. We are also teaching them that defensively they got to be on the balls of their feet, they got to be fluid, they need to have their arms working depending on the direction. So, it's the simple fundamentals of the game. What is, what is double dribble and what is steps, stuff like that.
Indira Craig
And it's not just playing around, it's serious business for the tutors. More than just hoops and hype, there's a deeper message here, that even in a one day camp, discipline is critical and indiscipline will be penalized.
Milton Palacio
I think the biggest thing that they are going to leave with is respect because we are doing something where every time I talk, they have to listen to me and if they are standing out of line and I am trying to discipline them and if they do it, I am trying to discipline their team. So I think that's the biggest thing they are getting out of that - listening to people while other people are talking.
Indira Craig
And while Milton is allowed to talk trash as he pleases - it's in the spirit of the camp - which even though it may look like a lot of work, is a break for this backup guard who is known for his tough work ethic on the NBA hardwood.
Milton Palacio
I didn't want to come out here and give speeches or anything like that, I just wanted to come out here and be with the kids and do the camp. It's not something where I am coming out here and trying to vacation or anything but it's something that I know I am doing something for somebody. And that's the biggest thing and I know I come out here and probably touch a life, touch a couple of kids' lives.
Indira Craig
And from the wide-eyed look of these kids, that number might be a couple hundred.
Making a surprise appearance at the camp today was Prime Minister Said Musa who's never too shy for a phot op. Even if his jumper needs some serious work. While Milton didn't volunteer for that task, we're told that he will spearhead a reading programme for Belizean youth. Palacio's camp comes to and end on Saturday, he heads back to Arizona on Sunday where he will continue in the Phoenix Sun's Summer Camp.