HK players on the ball
Talented youngsters Lo Yi-ting, Chan Yik-lun and Ip Ka-ho have returned from the Nike All-Asia Basketball Camp 2007 in Beijing with various tricks up their sleeves.
A total of 60 players, aged 14 to 19, from Australia, China, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, the Philippines and Taiwan participated in the five-day training session that ended last week. The majority of the teenagers - 33 - were from the mainland.
The camp was conducted by some of the most knowledgeable basketball instructors in the world, including Rich Sheubrooks, the director of scouting for the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. Sheubrooks worked with the players in developing their skills.
NBA players were also invited to the Chinese capital as guest coaches.
They included the winner of the NBA Sixth Man award for the 2004-05 season, Ben Gordon of the Chicago Bulls, and the Rising Stars Slam Dunk Champion at the 2005 All-Star game, Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks.
The participants also attended intensive sessions that helped boost their strength and fitness.
In addition, there were games and shooting contests.
Twenty players were picked for the All-Star Game in Beijing. The coaches also selected three players who would join the Nike All-America Camp in Ohio next month.
Although they missed the cut, the Hong Kong players said they appreciated the opportunity to take part in the camp.
Apart from meeting NBA stars, the local teenagers learned a lot from their young counterparts from different countries.
Lo, a point guard for South China AA who are preparing for the Division A1 final, won the Hustle Award for his passion and determination at the camp.
Like the other two players, Lo found the camp a rewarding experience and encouraged Hong Kong's basketball players to fulfil their dreams and ambitions.
