JaBA president pleased with impact of NBA players

JAMAICA BASKETBALL Association (JaBA) President Paulton Gordon is praising the impact of National Basketball Association (NBA) players after camps this summer helped approximately 560 student athletes.

In the months of June, August and September, student athletes from all sections of the island were privileged to have first-class experiences from San Antonio Spurs’ Devin Vassell, Houston Rockets’ Tari Eason, and Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray.

“It is a part of the Jamaica basketball strategy to allow the children to interface with persons who are quite accomplished, gone through the process, and are now professionals,” said Gordon.

“We encourage and ensure that we have guys who are in most cases connected to Jamaica, coming back and giving back to the children.”

According to Gordon, the players who are connected will help the athletes to understand the basic principles of training, approach, and attitude required to be a professional.

Sporting gear, equipment and technical advice were given to high school athletes from Herbert Morrison Technical High School, Holland, The Queen’s School, Cornwall College, Mount Alvernia, and St James High.

In June, Vassell hosted a clinic at the Herbert Morrison Technical High for 30 students from western Jamaica.

In August, Eason was the title sponsor of a four-day tournament, JamRockerz Basketball Classic, with 130 athletes, both local and international, involved. It took place from August 8-11 at the Montego Bay Community College.

On September 6-7, Murray’s camp featured 400 athletes at Mount Alvernia High School.

“We always welcome that the international players come and donate. We know that there are needs, especially the youth. Some need shoes, shirts, equipment to hone their skills in basketball,” said Gordon.

“Whenever they are coming, we encourage them to ensure that they bring supplies from their sponsors or other donors, so that they can contribute to the development of basketball.”

Eason and Murray are hosting camps for the second time, while 28-year-old Murray is a newbie.

“I love to see people putting Jamaica on the map. It was great to see Norman Powell (NBA), Miami Heat player, play with his Jamaican roots and make history.

“I like to see basketball take another step. We are not there yet, but we will just take another step in the right direction,” said Murray.

Though Murray plays for Canada, he wants to see basketball grow in Jamaica.

“I am still trying to see Jamaica improve and shine. You want to see anyone from a young age pursue their passion. A lot of them love basketball, so I want to give them the opportunity and know that they can do something special if they want to be a pioneer,” Murray said, noting he wants to be an inspiration to the youth.