Suns 2007 Basketball Day Camp Shoots for Success

By Alexandra Reed, Jrsuns.com
Posted: July 10th, 2007

As campers filed into the main gym of Thunderbird High School an exhilarating buzz of anticipation and excitement filled the air. Monday, July 2 marked the beginning of the Suns summer basketball camp; for many campers the highlight of their summer.

The Phoenix Suns Basketball Day Camp focused on a number of important core values and basketball techniques, while providing a fun and rewarding basketball experience. Campers learned the importance of sportsmanship, teamwork, vital skill development, hard work and a positive attitude through attentive coaching and team activities.

This year’s attendance soared to over 450 campers, making it the largest turnout in camp history. To accommodate the additional campers, Moon Valley High School was added to provided another full-court gym. Some children traveled as far as Hawaii to participate in the reputable Suns Camp.

Former ASU Men’s Basketball Coach Bill Frieder served as the camp director. Coach Frieder’s veteran experience in coaching college basketball, as well as directing youth camps made him an outstanding leader for the week.

“The Suns are great to work with because their emphasis is on running a first class camp,” said Frieder. “They go the extra mile in providing Suns Alumni and current players as well as providing many keepsakes for the kids.”

In addition to keepsakes which could be won in various events, each camper received a camp jersey, gym bag, hat, Phoenix Suns basketball, a mini autograph ball, tickets to a Suns’ & Mercury home game and the opportunity to meet Suns and Mercury players!

The camp also marked the first public appearance by Suns draft picks, Alando Tucker and DJ Strawberry. Mercury Guard Diana Taurasi was also a camp favorite.

Every camper was also given the opportunity to interact, learn from and receive autographs from special guests, including Vinny Del Negro, Alvan Gentry, Dan D’Antoni, Phil Weber, Tim Kempton, Cedric Ceballos, Connie Hawkins “Hawk” and Mark West.

“I loved basketball camp this year! Playing games and working on figure-eight drills were my favorite,” said Suns camper Regan Leonard. “I also really liked getting Diana Taurasi’s autograph, Alando Tucker and D.J. Strawberry were cool too!”

The camp came to a conclusion with a fun filled awards ceremony including appearances by The Gorilla, Hairy & Hairyson and Adio Sol Patrol. Coach Frieder and Alumni Connie Hawkins also aided in the closing ceremonies by presenting the MVP, Coaches Award, Team Champions and Knock-Out Champion awards to the victorious campers.

As a parent, John Williams stated, “The Phoenix Suns Basketball Camp is top of the line, providing great teaching and important life long skills. The staff is friendly and helpful, making each child comfortable. This camp is always a success!”

For more information about the camps, please call (602) 594-CAMP or e-mail: Camps@Suns.com.