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Orlando Magic Basketball Camps Helped WNBA's Alexis Prince Develop Her Skills

Josh Cohen
Digital News Manager

By Josh Cohen May 22, 2017

ORLANDO – Alexis Prince – now a rookie with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury – vividly remembers watching her favorite childhood team, the Orlando Magic, while growing up in the area.

Prince specifically recalls becoming devoted to basketball while rooting on Steve Francis and Dwight Howard when the two paired up with the Magic in the mid 2000s.

This passion for the sport led Prince down an incredible journey that included winning a Florida high school state title while at nearby Edgewater High School, a few outstanding collegiate years at Baylor and now an opportunity in the WNBA.

While every step of her basketball voyage has been important, it was her participation in the Orlando Magic Camps program that really jumpstarted her evolution as a player.

Like some current and former NBA players – Chandler Parsons and Austin Rivers being the two most accomplished – Prince learned the fundamentals of the game while attending Magic youth camps. Nick Anderson and Bo Outlaw, now the team’s community ambassadors, were mentors for Prince at the time.

“I remember going through skills challenges,” Prince said. “It was great seeing players help you and get input from them. It really helps you get confidence.”

The Mercury drafted Prince in the third round of the 2017 WNBA Draft. She has reunited with her former college teammate, Brittney Griner, and hopes to learn from one of the league’s most accomplished players, Diana Taurasi.

“It was a dream come true,” Prince said about her reaction when she heard her name called on draft night. “All the hard work paid off.”

As she prepares for her first year in the WNBA and starts adjusting to a new city out West, there’s no mistaking that Orlando still has a place in Prince’s heart.

She has kept in touch with many of those who helped inspire her during her youth including her high school coach, Malcolm Lewis, as well as other faculty at Edgewater.

“They are all proud of me,” Prince said. “Everyone backed me up. I always rep (Orlando) everywhere I go.”

For any youth looking to advance their basketball skills, Prince recommends signing up for a Magic youth camp.
Magic Youth Basketball Camps presented by UnitedHealthcare is part of the Orlando Magic Youth Basketball Academy which focuses on teaching life skills to youth through the game of basketball. Through the Magic Academy, youth learn the game of basketball along with the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership and health and wellness to accomplish their goals.

The basketball instruction at Magic camps is provided by coaches and trainers from the National Basketball Academy. Kids between the ages of 6 and 17 participate in various drills and compete in live games.

The camps cater to all skill levels. There are plenty of week-long sessions to choose from and a host of locations as well. Registration is now open, check out the schedule here: https://www.nba.com/magic/summercamps