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home / Sports
Basketball Camp is a slam dunk
Alice Shoaf
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Earlier this month, Maricopa kids had the opportunity to work with a basketball great – retired NBA veteran Cedric Ceballos. The Basketball Camp was held at Maricopa High School June 7 to 11, and averaged about 20 kids per day.
The name of Cedric Ceballos is probably familiar to anyone who has lived here for any length of time. He began his professional career with the Phoenix Suns during their heyday in the early 1990s. Ceballos led the NBA in field goal percentage in 1992-1993, and helped drive the Suns into the NBA finals that year. Later he was the leading scorer for the Los Angeles Lakers for two consecutive years. Some of his other NBA accomplishments include:
- 1990 -- set NBA record for most points in the shortest time with 25 points in eight minutes.
- 1992 -- NBA Slam Dunk Champion with a blindfolded dunk that has never been duplicated.
- 1993 -- Led the NBA in field goal percentage with 57.6 percent in 1992-93 season.
- 1994 -- Scored a career high 50 points in one game.
- 1995 -- Selected to the NBA All Star Team.
- 1996 -- NBA comeback player of the year.
Upon leaving the NBA in 2002, Cedric signed on with professional teams in Israel, Russia, and the Philippines with the International Basketball League, and then returned to join the Phoenix Flame in the struggling American Basketball Association. He currently works back with the Suns as their in-arena emcee, and hosts a weekly Internet webcast called “Nothin’ But Net.” He also hosts kids’ basketball camps, something he has been active in for 20 years.
Iball, Athletes4U, and the school district collaborated to offer this unique camp. Ceballos worked with the youngsters from 9:00 to 3:00 daily, and before- and after-care was available for parents who needed it. The kids got lunch, snacks, fun things to do, and six hours of basketball instruction per day from someone whose love of the game became a lifetime career. Ceballos conducts summer camps all over the state to help Arizona’s youth improve their own game.
“I employ some of the stuff I learned playing in the NBA,” said Ceballos. He worked one-on-one and in groups to help kids learn how to prepare themselves mentally and physically for the challenges of basketball. Strength and conditioning work, muscle memory, skill drills, and team playing were interspersed with games, activities, and free time. The kids ranged in age from 7 to about 16, but most were in the 8 to 11 range. Some were up-and-comers eager to soak up the knowledge of a pro, and others were just there having a good time.
Teamwork was especially stressed. According to Ceballos, these types of camps teach kids how to work independently within a unit, while at the same time cementing the importance of the whole team concept. On one afternoon, the kids were divided into two large teams and competed against each other in various games and drills. One team figured out how to work together. The other team got laps every time they lost. Finally, Cedric cut in on their game. “Watch them,” he said. “They’re working like a team, working together, helping each other. You want to win, that’s what you gotta do.” He helped them see what they needed, and the next drill they won. You should have heard them cheer.
In another drill the kids worked alone making layups. Watching the big 6’6’ forward chase around kids who could run between his legs without ducking – well, that was almost as good as it gets for someone who couldn’t join in and play.
Ceballos had a wealth of information and practical experience to impart, and did so easily and naturally – like a dad in the back yard. The kids responded, most of them wholeheartedly. One boy was too busy to stand around and talk. When asked if he thought the clinic was worth it, he simply said, “Yes!” with a grin and a direct look. Then he was gone, dribbling his way back to the line. Another girl, when asked what she thought of the superstar, smiled. “He’s just a normal guy, you know?” she said as she laced up her shoes.
The price tag for each kid was $150 for the week. That breaks down to $30 per day for instruction from one of the best in the game; probably one of the sweetest deals around. Athletic Director Shannon Hull is hoping camps like this get scheduled every summer for Maricopa. Frankly, we do, too.
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