Connect with us

Basketball

SAM VINCENT WRAPS UP BASKETBALL CLINICS

Former NBA Champ Sam Vincent wrapped up his youth clinics Tuesday evening after giving his advance class, the final of his four-day clinic at the St. Anthony gym.

By Robert Balajadia

Former NBA Champ Sam Vincent wrapped up his youth clinics Tuesday evening after giving his advance class, the final of his four-day clinic at the St. Anthony gym. Vincent traveled to Guam as part of the Retired Players program to educate youth on how important it is to not only work hard to achieve your goal while also stressing the importance of education.

Vincent started out the morning with conditioning while having the kids run early offensive drills and working on ball handling. After a light scrimmage and lunch, Vincent constructed defensive slides as well as letting the kids compete in shooting games that proved to be very competitive.

Sam Vincent shares the story of potential teammate Len Bias. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Sam Vincent shares the story of potential teammate Len Bias. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Vincent shared his life experiences with the kids and how grave one bad decision could be after explaining the story of Len Bias who died of a cocaine overdose just days after being selected as the #2 pick in the 1986 draft.

Bias was set to join the Boston Celtics, who had just won an NBA championship after Vincent’s rookie year. Vincent explained that all of Bias’ hard work had got him to his dream of being in the NBA, but a bad decision not only took his chance of ever playing professional basketball away but more importantly his life.

Vincent used Bias’ story to steer in the kids in the right direction proving that a mistake, no matter how big, can shatter a lifetime of work. He also shared that you can be the best player on the team but acting like a knucklehead won’t get you the respect you aim for.

As stressed from Vincent’s arrival, striving to play in the NBA is great dream to have but not even the greatest players play the game forever which is why having education and an alternate plan is very important.

During the breaks from the basketball drills, Vincent made sure to instill those principles in Guam’s youth not only hoping to make them a better basketball player, but a better person in the end.

PHOTO GALLERY:

(photo by Robert Balajadia)

Michael Min and Tony Hsieh practicing ball denial drills while getting commentary from Sam Vincent. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

(photo by Robert Balajadia)

Alschae Grape and the team trying to hit the last shot needed in the shooting competition. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

(photo by Robert Balajadia)

Sam Vincent showing the kids proper technique on receiving the ball. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

(photo by Robert Balajadia)

Sam Vincent working his way through the kids on the offensive drills. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

(photo by Robert Balajadia)

The kids practice their triple threat stance. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ad

GPS Sports Calendar

November

December 2023

January
SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
Events for November

1st

Events for December

2nd

3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Events for December

3rd

Events for December

4th

Events for December

5th

Events for December

5th

No Events
Events for December

7th

Events for December

8th

Events for December

9th

10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Events for December

10th

Events for December

11th

Events for December

12th

Events for December

12th

No Events
Events for December

14th

Events for December

15th

Events for December

16th

17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Events for December

16th

No Events
Events for December

18th

Events for December

19th

Events for December

19th

No Events
Events for December

21st

Events for December

22nd

Events for December

23rd

24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Events for December

23rd

No Events
Events for December

24th

No Events
Events for December

25th

No Events
Events for December

27th

Events for December

27th

No Events
Events for December

29th

Events for December

29th

No Events
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
Events for December

30th

No Events

COMING SOON …

  • IIAAG Girls Basketball Playoffs

 

QUICK HITS

Four fitness athletes recently represented Guam in the Tokyo Olympia Amateurs 2023 competition in Japan.
Danielle Reyes – Classic
Joel Tudela – Classic
EJ Rosete – Classic
Alexander Slomka – Men’s Physique
——————————————————-
The Kings were crowned the Guam Amateur Baseball League champions, finishing the season undefeated.

More in Basketball