On Thursday night, 80 kids had the opportunity to be taught by some of the most elite basketball players in the world as the Bobcats hosted a Holiday Hoops Clinic.

Bobcats players Keith Bogans, Jumaine Jones, Matt Carroll, Kevin Burleson and Bernard Robinson joined Assistant Coach JB Bickerstaff at the Presbyterian Training Center at Charlotte Bobcats Arena to review some of the basic fundamentals of the game with kids from the Bobcats Youth Basketball Network.

“Whatever you get from these guys, you should absorb it like a sponge,” said Bickerstaff as he addressed the kids prior to the clinic. “Take it and learn from it.”

To help the kids get a firm grasp on the different skills involved with the game, the Bobcats divided the kids into five different groups with each player taking a station.

At one end of the court Matt Carroll worked on shooting with the kids.

“You have to develop your technique,” he told them. “If you can shoot the ball, you can play basketball. You need to start out by taking shots you are comfortable with.”

He then taught the kids the proper shooting technique, having them practice in a competitive shooting game.

“I feel I got lucky with the shooting station,” he said after the clinic. “Kids love to shoot.”

While Carroll was busy with the kids working on their jumpers, Burleson was teaching proper dribbling techniques.

“It was funny because I got called for a couple of carries this year,” he said, “so the guys were like, ‘How are you going to teach these guys about dribbling?’ It’s fun though, trying to teach some knowledge.”

At the other stations, Robinson worked with the kids on passing while Jones taught the proper rebounding technique and Bogans and Bickestaff teamed up to impart to the kids the importance of defense.

“Of course I worked on defense,” said Bogans. “That’s what I do. It’s the easiest thing for me and it comes naturally. The kids look up to us, so whatever we say they are most likely going to pay attention. Whenever I get a chance to go out and either talk to and demonstrate for them, I’m always looking forward to it.”

The kids seemed to take what Bogans was saying to heart.

“If you don’t play good defense you won’t have a successful day,” said Shiv Menon, one of participants when asked what he learned following the clinic. “You can pick up things that the NBA players run in their games and then we can put that in our games.”

The kids also seemed to grasp what the other players were teaching them was well.

“I learned BEEF (an acronym for proper shooting technique). On defense I learned how to get lower, and in rebounding, I learned how to jump higher,” explained Jaymee Fisher-Davis.

The clinic also gave the kids a chance to get up close and interact with the players.

“I thought it was pretty cool,” said Chris McCue. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet NBA players.”

“I think it’s phenomenal,” said Bill Katakozinos, one of the coaches who attended the clinic with the kids from Old Providence. “It’s a great opportunity for them and it peaks their interest to continue playing.”

“It’s something they will remember for the rest of their lives,” said Jeff White, the commissioner of the league at Mathews Athletic and Recreation Association. “They will learn some good habits. I can see by the look in their eyes that they really look up to these guys.”

The coaches and administrators also applauded the Bobcats for being involved with youth basketball leagues because they are something beneficial for kids.

“It’s a great place for the kids to stay fit, keep busy and not play video games,” said White. “They learn how to compete. They learn how to win and lose. It’s the best thing a child could be doing.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Jeff McGill, who came with the kids from the MARA League.

“Basketball just builds character. It teaches kids life skills,” he said. “Basketball is so related to life, because there are different stages of the game, just as there are different stages of life. You can never quit. No matter what the score is, you always have to finish the game and leave everything you have on the court. The same thing in life, no matter what situation life deals you, you have to persevere and continue to strive on.”

The players also remember how important it was for them to participate in clinics and youth basketball leagues.

“We remember when we were their age,” said Carroll. “We were going to clinics and working hard just trying to become a better basketball player because we had fun playing. We still have fun playing today.”

Following the clinic, the kids had the chance to work on becoming better basketball players and practice what they had learned as they spent an hour scrimmaging each other on the Bobcats practice court.