Camp Next

Camp Next features the next generation of high school stars

by Ray Floriani

TEANECK, N.J. – Camp Next gave a good look at rising eighth and ninth graders. Rising is an appropriate description: these players are emerging as the elite of their respective class and rising above the rim is one of the qualities they possess on the basketball court.

The camp began last season as a prelude to ABCD, held at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey just like ABCD. This year, another site was added with another session going on out West. Over the weekend of June 24-26, campers made the trip to FDU to display their talents and get some important instruction and advice.

Campers were divided into eight teams. Copying the ABCD format, the teams had NBA names. On Friday evening each team played one game, then on Saturday there were three sets of doubleheaders, at 10:40 A.M, 2:40 P.M. and 7 P.M., which gave the teams three games. The camp wound up on Sunday with each team playing at 10 A.M. with the all star game following an hour later.

A few observations:

• These were far from your typical 13 to 15 year-old players. The games routinely featured wing players in the 6-5 to 6-7 range and post men 6-8 and taller. In addition, the skill level and athleticism was truly impressive.
• A number of players were outstanding and stood out. There were those, however, one would be wise not to write off. A little more weight training, natural maturation and a solid work ethic in practice can transform those who may have struggled here into complete polished players down the road. That’s especially true of several big men whose games were a little on the ‘raw’ side.
• The important part of the weekend was the games. But in keeping with the Sonny Vaccaro influence, the teaching part of the game was not neglected. At FDU, four courts were available. Games were on courts two and three, while teams not playing held ‘sweat shop’ sessions on courts one and four. The sweat shops were basically practice sessions. Teams ran offensive sets and were drilled by their respective coaches in proper execution; defense was not neglected either. Practices were just an hour but well organized. Throughout the duration, fundamentals and proper execution were stressed by the coaches.
• Games showed a carryover of the teaching accomplished in practice. The players sped up and down the floor in transition, but if the break didn’t materialize the offense put on the breaks and ran a set of structured plays. Simply put, it was not all out run n’ gun.
• The all-star game was a different situation. As many of these type games go, there was structure and a sense of offensive purpose in the first quarter, but soon the play reverted to an exhibition of dunks and athleticism. A team would get the rebound, pitch the ball out on the break to a wingman who would toss the ball airborne with a cutter grabbing it out of the stratosphere and slamming it (or sometimes not) home. For the most part, the all-star game was ‘showtime’, where the players could exhibit their skills and talent in the open floor.

The tournament was sponsored by Reebok as part of its Grassroots Basketball program. Sonny Vaccaro took in the action on the Saturday sessions. Dennis Gregory of the Hoop Group, Greg Vetrone, Gary Charles (director of the New York Panthers AAU program) and Nick Mariniello, head coach at Bloomfield Tech (NJ) all assisted throughout the well organized event.

Some of the standout players:

• Travon Woodall 6’1″ Guard (St. Anthony’s HS, Jersey City, NJ) – Woodall showed a nice perimeter touch and the ability to slash to the hoop with his strength and quickness.
• Curtis Loving 6’4″ G/F(Rice HS, NY) – Another fine talent who entered the lane almost at will. A tough rebounder especially on the offensive end.
• Richard Hall 5’11″ Guard (Bloomfield Tech, NJ) – Hall showed solid point guard skills and the ability to get his shot and score. He will certainly continue the tradition of fine backcourt play at the New Jersey power.
• Muniru Bawa 6’9″ Forward (Madison, AL) – Still raw but has great size and a tremendous ‘upside’.
• Kenny Boyton 6’2″ Guard (Pompano Beach, FL) – Highly touted, Boyton owned up to his reputation. A prolific scorer, he is a player who doesn’t neglect the defensive end.
• Dexter Strickland Guard (St. Patrick’s HS, NJ) – Will enter ninth grade in the Fall. Strickland’s game has the total package. He can hit from the perimeter and penetrate as well.
• Chris Braswell 6’8 Forward (Fort Washington, MD) Has good skills inside. Braswell runs the floor like a deer, but with a purpose, not out of control.

This writer had the opportunity to officiate games on each day. The play was just a notch below ABCD. The players ran the floor exceptionally well in transition; guards were quick penetrating to the basket, and the level of play was decidely ‘above the rim’. Getting the opportunity to see the talent of a number of these players up close was truly a memorable experience. Officiating was demanding but great fun. As fellow official Dave Hoffman who also worked here light heartedly noted, “each year we get older but the kids stay the same age.” They also seem to get faster and quicker.