56 youngsters start Digicel NBA Elite Camp today

Source: VINO

The Virgin Islands' participants of the Digicel/NBA Jumpstart Elite Camp. Photo: Provided

The Virgin Islands’ participants of the Digicel/NBA Jumpstart Elite Camp. Photo: Provided

40 boys and 16 girls will start their experience of a lifetime when the Jumpstart Elite Camp starts today Friday October 7, 2016. The camp facilitated by Digicel and the National Basketball Association (NBA) will take place in the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex.

Seven-time NBA Champion Robert K. Horry, 1977 NBA Champion and former NBA head coach Lionel E. Hollins, and two-time WNBA All-Star Skylar K. Diggins will coach at the Camp, which runs until Sunday October 9, 2016.

Mr Horry played for Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs. He is one of only nine players to have won seven or more championships in the NBA. Today, Mr Horry works as a commentator on Time Warner Cable Sports Net.

Mr Hollins played for five teams during his ten-year NBA career as a point guard. He served as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets and has a lifetime coaching record of 262-272.

Ms Diggins played for Notre Dame, Tulsa Shock and currently plays for the Dallas Wings. In 2015, she was named Western Conference Player of the Month for June and named the WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week for the second week of the season. In 2014 Ms Diggins was named a 2014 WNBA All-Star Starter and the 2014 Most Improved WNBA Player.

Participants from the Virgin Islands include Diorys Joseph, Omar Walker, Demoi Bradley, Kachife Bradshaw, Nixon Hamilton, Shauliqua Fahie and Mahkayla Pickering.

On Saturday Night, the NBA and WNBA visitors will be at a motivational evening in the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall, hosted by the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports.

At the conclusion of the Elite Camp, the NBA and Digicel will choose the top thirteen players – eight boys and five girls – who will have an opportunity to take part in an authentic NBA experience in the US later this year.