Three students from Creighton Community School got the chance to learn from a professional basketball player with NBA championship-winning experience.
Blake Alexander, Austin McLean and Myles Patterson travelled to Winnipeg’s Sport for Life Centre to take part in a basketball camp hosted by NBA champion and former Toronto Raptor, Danny Green.
“It was crazy meeting an NBA player for the first time,” Alexander said. “I think there were three groups and just in our group alone, there was 94 kids.”
Both Alexander and McLean said the camp mostly focussed on fundamentals with different stations for passing, shooting and defense. A handful of other ex-NBA players and professionals from overseas helped Green with instruction.
“Honestly, it was just the basics of basketball.” Alexander said. “There was nothing new that we learned. There was more improving on what we already knew… They had lots of good coaches.”
The participants got some time to ask questions to Green, but his upcoming free agency was off limits. Only a few days later, the shooting guard announced he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Another focus of the camp was the mental and physical preparations that elite athletes go through to compete.
“The biggest thing I took from the camp was just the way that [professionals] prep for the game,” Alexander said. “[Green] talked about how much sleep he would get. He sleeps a lot and eats a lot before games. Which was surprising to me I feel like if I was sleeping before a game, I’d be tired going into the game.”
McLean also said he learned about good habits at the camp.
“Just really put in the hours and practice makes perfect,” he said. “Always keep practicing and you’ll be better if you practice.”
Fresh off his championship run with the Raptors, Alexander said Green spoke to the participants about the franchise’s magical run for the title.
“[Green] mentioned how special it was. He even said it was more special than his run with the Spurs,” Alexander said. “[It was] just because the whole country was behind them. To be something so important to the country he said was special.”
Alexander said he has been a big Raptor fan for a long time, and seeing them win a championship was exceptional.
Despite winning the Larry O’Brien trophy, the Raptors will look different next year, with Kahwai Leonard moving on to his hometown and the Los Angeles Clippers.
“I mean, we got a championship so we can’t complain,” Alexander said. “I think instead of being mad at Khawai for leaving we should just thank him. He had an incredible playoff run and he basically carried us to the championship, so I don’t think we can really be mad. It was kind of expected. You can’t really blame the guy for going home.”
Both Alexander and McLean are looking forward to entering Grade 11 this fall, where they hope to find success on and off the court.
