GLENDALE, Calif., September 18, 2004 – Hot Shots Robbie Tripp, 13, of Parowan, Utah; Nikki Nelson, 15, of Chewelah, Washington; Jim Girard, 15, of Woodbury, Minnesota; Tony Walding, 15, of Melbourne, Florida; Francis Cespedes, 15, of Evansville, Indiana; Clayton Callender, 18, of San Antonio; Jerry-Davon Jefferson, 17, of Hawthorne, California; Shalayne Dulan, 18, of Oklahoma City; Julian Parker Nelson, 12, of Irmo, South Carolina and Daniel McCray, 16, of Philadelphia participated in the event of their lifetimes at the Nestlé Crunch Hot Shots Camp!

Basketball courts all over the country heated up this summer as 10 Nestlé Crunch Hot Shots prepared to showcase their skills against NBA All-Star Shaquille O’Neal. They traveled to Los Angeles to participate in the 6th Annual Nestlé Crunch Hot Shots Camp with Shaq on Saturday, September 18. Basketball skills, distinctive style on the court and an overall “Crunchy” attitude earned them a coveted spot on this year’s Nestlé Crunch Hot Shots Team.

The talented winners and their parents and/or guardians flew to Los Angeles to participate in the 6th Annual Nestlé Crunch Hot Shots Camp. The truly talented crew enjoyed the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of going one-on-one with the 7’1” center. In addition to learning the moves that made Shaq an 11-time All-Star, each player learned streetball techniques from AND1 Mix Tape stars “AO” and “Prime Objective.”

After a private lunch with Shaq, the Nestlé Crunch Hot Shots headed to the world-famous House of Moves motion capture studio in Hollywood, where their likeness was digitally rendered the Xbox way, just like Shaq was on NBA Inside Drive 2004. The Hot Shots also walked away with an Xbox gaming console and a copy of NBA Inside Drive 2004; an official Nestlé Crunch Hot Shots Camp jersey; a Shaq-autographed basketball; and an unforgettable photo taken with the big man himself.

“The talent level at this year’s Nestlé Crunch Hot Shots Camp was the best ever,” said O’Neal. “I like to see what they’ve got when they go one-on-one against me. I’ll tell you, look out for these Crunchy Hot Shots in the future!”

“The combination of skill, style and attitude these young athletes showed at the Nestlé Crunch Hot Shots Camp truly amazed us,” said Tricia Bowles, manager, Public Relations, Nestlé Confections & Snacks. “We were delighted to give them this unique opportunity to play with one of the greatest players of all time, Shaquille O’Neal.”

The contest was open to youths between the ages of 12-19 and invited players from around the country to submit home videos of rim-rattling dunks, no-look passes, trick shots, free-style dribbling and jaw-dropping buzzer beaters. NESTLÈ CRUNCH talent scouts also took to the streets at AND1 Mix Tape Tour events, where they videotaped entries at several stops. All of the videos were reviewed to find the entrants with the best basketball skills, most distinctive style, and Crunchy attitude.

Forty first prize winners each received an Xbox gaming console and a copy of NBA inside Drive 2004 and fifty second prize winners each received a one-year subscription to SLAM Magazine.

The call for entries for the 7th Annual Nestlé Crunch Hot Shots Camp will start shortly. For more information on next year’s call for entries, log on to NestleCrunch.com.