Bobcats Host Special Olympics Clinic

On Monday, February 28, one hundred Special Olympians from ten different counties in North Carolina, descended on the Bobcats Training Center in Ft. Mill, South Carolina to participate in a very special basketball clinic hosted by the Bobcats players and coaching staff. Charlotte Bobcats Director of Player Programs, Dell Curry, kicked off the event by welcoming the athletes and introducing them to each of the Bobcats players and coaches who would be assisting with the clinic. As each player and coach was introduced, they received a rousing ovation from the Special Olympians.

Following the introductions, it was time to play ball, as the Bobcats players and coaches brought the Special Olympians onto the court for some instruction on the fundamentals of the game. Over the course of the next hour, the athletes had the opportunity to participate in six separate stations each of which highlighted a different skill.

At one station, Bobcats guards Kareem Rush and Jason Kapono worked on shooting, encouraging the athletes to run to them, give them a high five, then catch the ball and shoot. In another corner of the gym, point guard Brevin Knight and assistant coach John-Blair Bickerstaff could be seen giving the Special Olympians pointers on how to make a good chest, overhead and bounce pass while at the station next to them Keith Bogans and Assistant Coach Gary Kloppenburg were working on defense. The athletes also had the opportunity to work on rebounding with Assistant Coach Jeff Capel, ball-handling with Cory Alexander and Assistant Coach John Outlaw and lay-ups with Matt Carroll and Dell Curry.

“This is a fantastic event,” said the Special Olympics’ Bob Bowler, who worked to help set up the clinic. “It gives our athletes a chance to get instruction from some of the best athletes in the world. It excites them to just be on the same court as the professional athletes. This event helps them improve their skills and also helps build self-confidence in them.”

The clinic also helped the Special Olympics coaches learn how to better teach the game. “This clinic allows our coaches to pick up some drills that they can take back to practice and work with the athletes on,” continued Bowler. “It helps teach concepts that the coaches can build on over time.”

While the clinic helped both the Special Olympic athletes and coaches improve their skills, it was also all about having fun. This goal seemed to be accomplished with a resounding success as the smiles never left the faces of the participants.

“They all have such a good time,” remarked Bowler. “They will be talking about this for years.”

The Special Olympians were not the only ones having a good time though. The Bobcats players and coaches also enjoyed hosting the clinic.

“This was a lot of fun,” said Brevin Knight. “It was great to see the smiles on the faces of all the kids. I think basketball is something that can bring out the best in everyone. Hopefully this is something that will be remembered for a long time.”