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Elite Camps Vie For Local Talent |
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Written by Maurice Wingate NYCHoops.net Publisher
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Monday, 06 July 2009 15:01 |
The NBA Combine recently switched it's design from a scrimmage based format to a drills based format.
It seems that College Elite Camp have followed suit. As colleges, nationally, have stepped up it's pursuit of talent so has the Metro Area Colleges. Recently, NYCHoops.net attended both the Rutgers and St. John's Elite Camps and it was clear that both institutions have raised their game.
The Rutgers Elite Camp was held at the New Jersey's Net facility in East Rutherford, NJ. In addition, the instructors were actual NBA assistant coaches. The student-athletes were clearly impressed by the NBA ambiance. Rutgers Head Coach Fred Hill said, "We've got to get some of this local talent to stay local." It was clear that his endeavor was a mission accomplished as we heard from quite a few players who have added the local school to their list.
St. John's University recently held their first Elite Camp which in and of itself shows the increased effort that local colleges are putting into keeping local talent at home. With head coach Norm Roberts hand on, the event was held on campus and the instructors were players from the St. John's Red Storm. With the players also participating in the drills, the high school players got a change to see and feel what it took to play on the next level.
At the Red Storm Elite Camp, it was clear by the turnout that many top players are now seriously considering St. John's as a viable option. "We got a chance to show the kids the campus so it was good for us and them," said assistant coach Fred Quartlebaum.
Both camps emphasized drills over scrimmages and evaluating a player's talent fundamentally. "Coach Hills philosophy is to not only show the kids what they need to play on the next level but also to show them some things that they can practice during the off season in order to get better," said Rutgers assistant coach Craig Carter.
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