Adidas Phenom Basketball Camp stopping by Yuma
The Adidas Phenom Basketball Camp, training ground for national-caliber players, is giving a two-day clinic in Yuma and invites all interested youths to attend, say organizers.
This is a fundamentals camp, not tournament play, that will improve players at all levels and possibly get them an invitation to one of two national camps held at Alliant International University in San Diego, said Ricky Barnes, coach of Team Heat-Yuma.
"Adidas Phenom usually bypass Yuma and go to Phoenix. But this is important for Yuma because this is a chance to compete on a higher level."
The basketball clinic will be held Saturday and Sunday at Centennial Middle School, 2650 W. 20th St. The clinic is for boys and girls fourth through 12th grades.
Saturday's camp is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and costs $80 per player. The Sunday camp from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. costs $60. Players can still register onsite but need to pay cash, Barnes said.
Barnes works as a consultant at Yuma Proving Ground as well as coaching Team Heat-Yuma, a middle school Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) touring team. Barnes has formed a partnership with Adidas Phenom Basketball whose director of basketball operations, Jeff Harper, will be at the basketball clinic with his coaching staff.
"Every year I find kids under the radar in small towns like Yuma who don't play on a high-profile national circuit," Harper said in a phone interview from the Adidas Phenom Basketball office in Moreno Valley, Calif.
Players demonstrating exceptional talent will get an invitation to attend one of two national basketball camps at Alliant University, Harper said. The Junior Phenom Camp for fifth-, sixth- and seventh-grade players takes place Aug. 5-8, while the Phenom 150 for eighth through 12th grade is June 24-27.
"Our coaches also talk about academics and character," Harper said. "That's because colleges are always looking for that when recruiting. Our camps mold the complete player, someone not only with basketball skills but shows he's respectful."
Harper said he can see more potential in a player doing drills than is possible watching a game. He also said they take players off the court and coach them in academic and life skills as well.
Adidas Phenom Basketball has also formed a partnership with Yuma Community Food Bank, setting up boxes at the camp to collect donations. All attendees who are able to are asked to bring a nonperishable food item.
"We're not just a basketball camp." Harper said. "This is a learning experience. But that's what Adidas Phenom is all about - learning to give back to the community."
Barnes, who will assist Harper and his staff, said he has four players on his Team Heat-Yuma who impressed Harper with their skills. Last Sunday, the 13-year-old players won a super-regional championship that included Arizona, California, Nevada and Mexico at the Spring Valley Recreation Center in San Diego. Now they are preparing for the AAU championships next July in Hampton, Va.
Matt Pistoni 13, a Gila Vista Junior High School student, is a power forward with Team Heat-Yuma. Matt said he has gained a lot from the Adidas Phenom league because it instilled in him leadership and discipline skills.
"It taught me to use your time wisely and keep your head on point, not to stray from your goals."
Matt added he is looking forward to playing college basketball and hopes to attend a Division I team like Ohio State University.
---
William Roller can be reached at wroller@yumasun.com or 539-6858.
