TORONTO, August 13, 2014 – The NBA will host 60 of the best youth basketball players from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Puerto Rico at the Americas Team Camp Presented by NIKE in Toronto Aug. 17-20 at the Mattamy Athletic Centre.
The camp, which includes four days of intense basketball drills and competition directed by NBA players and coaches, will include Brazil native and Toronto Raptors forward Bruno Caboclo, appearances by Canadian NBA players, and Jay Triano, head coach of the Canada Men’s National Team and an assistant coach with the Portland Trail Blazers. Canada Basketball, the governing body for basketball in Canada, will use the camp as a coaching workshop for Canadian coaches countrywide.
Also participating in the camp are NBA assistant coaches Kenny Atkinson of the Atlanta Hawks, Chris Finch of the Houston Rockets, Brett Gunning of the Orlando Magic, Eric Hughes of the Milwaukee Bucks, as well as Canadian citizen and Swaziland native Jama Mahlalela of the Toronto Raptors. Gersson Rosas of the Houston Rockets will act as camp director. Coaches from each country will also attend the camp and learn alongside NBA coaches.
Selected by the NBA, NIKE, and participating basketball federations, Americas Team Camp Presented by NIKE participants are the top players in their countries up to age 17.
“The Americas Team Camp presented by NIKE is one of the NBA’s most effective programs for growing basketball in the Americas,” said Dan MacKenzie, Vice President and General Manager, NBA Canada. “As basketball’s popularity continues to rise in Canada, we’re thrilled to work with NIKE to serve as the camp’s host country and further develop these great young players.”
“Canada Basketball is excited to have the Americas Team Camp presented by NIKE here this summer,” said Michele O’Keefe, Executive Director, Canada Basketball. “This is a great opportunity to show our friends from our fellow FIBA Americas countries what Canada is like, while showcasing some of our top young athletes, coaches and NBA talent.”
The four-day camp will consist of morning clinics that teach basketball fundamentals and life skills, with competitive games scheduled for the afternoons and evenings. The camp will conclude with a 5-on-5 championship game and an All-Star Game on the last day.
2014 is the third year of the Americas Team Camp. The NBA has previously held camps in Brazil in 2010 and Puerto Rico in 2012.