MANILA, PHILIPPINES (Eagle News) – NBA star Norris Cole and WNBA legend Taj McWilliams-Franklin are both eager and excited to impart their knowledge to the stars of tomorrow in their visit to the country for the annual Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA Philippines camps this weekend.
Cole, a two-time NBA champion with the Miami Heat before being shipped to the New Orleans Pelicans last season, will bring his dearth of experience playing alongside LeBron James and Dwyane Wade with the Heat, and with Anthony Davis with the Pelicans.
“I look forward to interacting with the [kids]. We’re going to teach them about sportsmanship, teamwork, having a great attitude, and respect for the game,” said Cole.
“But I’m looking forward to seeing how they respond to coaching, taking what they hear and apply it on the court. I’m going to learn as much as they learn from me, and I’m looking forward to that.”
McWilliams-Franklin, a six-time WNBA All-Star who won two championships with the now-defunct Detroit Shock (2008) and the Minnesota Lynx (2011) before retiring in 2012, is eager to impart her passion for the game to the aspiring lady athletes in the camp.
“The main thing is passion. Always be passionate with what you’re doing. If it’s something you enjoy, you do it with all your heart and it just makes it so much fun,” said McWilliams-Franklin.
Both hardwood stars will act as special coaches to the kids in the annual camp, together with Head Coach Craig Brown.
The annual selection camp, presented by Alaska, trimmed down the field that peaked at a record participation of 20,000 kids to 50 boys and 24 girls entering the three-day camp to be held at Don Bosco Technical School Makati on April 22 and 23.
By the end of the final day on April 24 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, only 10 boys and five girls will be selected as Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA All-Stars, respectively. The selected kids will participate in overseas NBA experiences with other Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA All-Stars from across Southeast Asia. Diego de la Paz, with Yelle Bacquiano
Photo credit: Prince Mark Coz / Sports On Air
