Michael Jordan once said, “You can practice shooting eight hours a day, but if your technique is wrong then all you become is very good at shooting the wrong way.”
Jordan’s wisdom became philosophy during U. New Mexico head basketball coach Steve Alford’s basketball camp last week at the Rudy Davalos Center, one of many camps scheduled throughout the summer.
The young basketball players from across New Mexico were trained in basketball fundamentals. They practiced free throws, developed a strong pivot foot and ran dribbling and passing drills until the skills became second nature.
Alford said he hammers home fundamentals for a reason.
“Most kids don’t spend enough time practicing the basics,” Alford said. “I take a huge incentive to make sure they understand fundamental basketball and make sure they get out of bad habits.”
Alford had a strong presence during the camp. Between his lectures to campers, he could be seen evaluating players and offering advice.
Over the course of the camps, Alford said, more than 800 kids, grades 1-12, will get hands-on instruction from the Lobos’ coaching staff, as well as from current and former players.
“New Mexico is a strong basketball state. There is a lot of passion,” Alford said. “It’s great to give back to the community.”
And during last week’s camp, Alford’s fundamental philosophy was reinforced through the Lobo coaches and players who led the drills during the individual skills camp.
“We teach them the skills coach teaches us during practice,” said Lobo junior guard Phillip McDonald.
McDonald was one of six current Lobos who participated in the weekend camp. Former Lobos Darren Prentice and Roman Martinez were also on hand to give instruction.
“I’ve seen some of these kids at this camp since they were sophomores in high school. Now they’re seniors,” McDonald said. “I’ve definitely seen them improve. Their shots get better, and they’re bigger.”
For that reason, Abe Apodaca, an Albuquerque AAU coach, has sent his players to the Lobo basketball camps for the past four years. Beside fundamentals, he said the camp develops players’ confidence and discipline.
“I coached current Lobo Chad Adams for six years,” Apodaca said. “He was always a good shooter but didn’t have a lot of confidence. He built that at this camp, and he really learned to be a scorer.”
Aside from serious skill development, campers were encouraged to have fun while learning fundamentals.
During a shooting drill where three players shot in a group from different positions on the court, Lobo center Drew Gordon, responsible for dishing the ball to the campers, juggled three basketballs, two in his hand, the third lifted off his foot and plopped to his head.
The new Lobo transfer from UCLA was very personable with every camper, especially the little kids too young to participate.
“You can feel the heat from outside, so we have to have fun,” Gordon said with a smile.
Martinez, the lone graduating senior from last season’s Mountain West Conference championship team, returned to help because of the camp’s camaraderie.
“When I was a kid, I went to five or six camps a year. They were always fun,” he said. “It’s a great feeling to come back and bring some of that to this camp.”