SoCalHoops Recruiting News

adidas ABCD Camp: The Camp
Within A Camp--(July 8, 2002)

	What:	17th Annual ABCD Camp
	When:	July 8-11, 2002
	Where:	Fairleigh-Dickinson University Teaneck/Hackensack, New Jersey
	Who:	200 Top Prep Players

Most people think of ABCD Camp as a camp where some of the best prep players in America come to show their stuff to the assembled college coaches (who will make their debut this afternoon)... But that's only half the story.  ABCD Camp also has counselors and coaches who work with the younger players.  Counselors are college players, and many of the coaches who work this camp are actually NBA guys (or guys who workout NBA guys) for a living; many are former college coaches themselves, some are former NBA players, but the key is that when it comes to the counselors and coaches, this is really the camp within a camp, and it's a great way to watch some of the best college players in America getting first rate instruction from some of the best coaches in the business, and it also gives a glimpse of which of these players may truly have NBA potential and which are working toward that end.

The way the camp works, from a pure scheduling point of view allows those of us who come to watch really enjoy the best of both worlds.  In the mornings, while the prospective student-athlete prep players are attending one of the many courses required to be administered pursuant to the NCAA's educational component of the recruiting and camp certification rules (prep players take SAT courses and other life skills courses), the college players are over at the gym going through station drills and then scrimmage games.

We know a few of the coaches, and some of the names were familiar:  George Karl, Tim Grgurich,   George Felton,  Brian Taylor (yes, that Brian Taylor now with Harvard-Westlake, and formerly ABA Rookie of the Year), and too many other guys we don't know, but who work with the Knicks, Nets, Supersonics, and others.  Neal Olshey, Tutti,  Julius Patterson (IEBP coach and camp coach) also worked with the players at stations and on drills and it was a clinic for some of the players' college coaches who got an early look-see at some of their own players (little known fact....college coaches can also view their own players, but only during the evaluation period, which begins on July 8, i.e.,  today....)  So who were the college players who were lucky enough to participate in some of these workouts? Here's the list of this year's college players/counselors at ABCD this year:

We also took a bunch of photos of these workouts this morning and we'll post them momentarily. 

Games for the prep players start this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. EST, and we'll be there to check out the action as soon as it starts.   Tracy McGrady is going to be the featured speaker at the camp today, and he also wrote a letter which was included in each of the player's packets.   It's not the typical letter you'd expect from a pro, but it does give a perspective on the experience of a camp like this which is insightful and refreshing.  We thought we'd pass the letter along.  Here it is:

July 7, 2002

Dear ABCD Camper:

Let me be the first to welcome you to the adidas ABCD Camp.

Being selected to this camp means that you are recognized as one of the top high school basketball players in the country.  While you should be extremely proud of this accomplishment, do not lose sight of why you are here.

Iam am looking forward to speaking with you this week and getting to watch some games.  Not too long ago i was in the same position you are.   the adidas ABCD Camp changed my life.  I love ABCD and all that it stands for.

My advce to you is to relax and have fun.  Don't get caught up with all the people in the stands.  Just go out and concentrate on playing the game you love.  Take advantage of all the opportunities you have this week.   Better yourself athletically and academically -- really make an effort to participate.

For some of you this is your chance to strengthen your position as one of the top players in the country.  for other players, the next four days represent a coming out party and a chance to make a name for yourself.  in either case, don't get down if things don't go your way.  If you remain positive and believe in yourself, good things will happen to each of you.

I wish all of you a successful camp and i hop your ABCD experience is as enjoyable and rewarding as mine was.

Best of Luck,

Tracy McGrady

 
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