Connect with us

Basketball

NBA HOOPS CLINIC ATTRACTS EXCITED YOUTH

Guam’s youth got a rare chance to learn from NBA stars.

By Jay Leon Guerrero

NBA stars JR Smith and Gerald Green joke around during the basketball clinic held at Okkodo High. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

NBA stars JR Smith and Gerald Green joke around during the basketball clinic held at Okkodo High. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

Forty four youth basketball players attended the “94 Feet of the Game” Basketball Clinic at the Okkodo gym on Thursday afternoon.

Phil Handy, director of player development for the Cleveland Cavaliers, held the first basketball clinic for 14-, 16-, and 18-and-under players.

Handy was assisted by NBA players JR Smith and Gerald Green, much to the delight of the youth basketball players. Players from all over the island at different skill levels attended the camp.

Alana Salas, a 12-year old student from Untalan Middle School, said that she learned high-level skills that she will take home and practice to help her improve her game. “Coach Handy was really good, I learned so much today”. She said that she wanted to learn more skills so she can help her club, the Mongmong-Toto-Maite Falcons and her schools team, the Wildcats.

Salas also spoke with Smith and she got some pointers from the 6’6″ shooting guard.

“JR Smith told me that he was doing these drills and exercises everyday when he was my age. He told me he got better by working on these drills everyday,” said Salas.

“I love working with the kids, the turnout today was really good. They are getting some good pointers and tips from Coach Phil so I’m hoping they all stick with it,” said Smith.

Coach Phil Handy gives instructions to Guam's youth during their first clinic of their visit to Guam. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

Coach Phil Handy gives instructions to Guam’s youth during their first clinic of their visit to Guam. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

Coach Handy took center court and demonstrated various drilling, shooting and passing drills. Youth players each had a basketball and were assisted by Smith and Green as Handy walked around the court with instructions.

Green, a 6’8″ forward who recently signed with the Miami Heat, said that he was happy that he came to Guam and was really pleased with the first clinic.

“I love it. The people here are great; the hospitality is fantastic, the food is awesome and the weather is good. Coach Phil is doing a great job, he’s teaching the kids the same drills guys like JR Smith and myself also do everyday. These drills are the same stuff NBA players do in training,” said Green.

The clinic was made possible by director Leah Metra, the MTM Falcons Basketball Club and the Guam Women’s Masters Basketball Association also assisted the program. Members of both organizations along with the Team Justice basketball team assisted the youth basketball players.

The clinics continue on Friday and Saturday with 14-, 16-, and 18-and-under youth athletes at the Okkodo High Gym with two clinics at 9 am and 2 pm. Smith and Green will play an exhibition game on Friday night with Team Justice I and II at the FD Phoenix Center at 7 pm. The last clinic will be on Monday at 9 am which will be strictly for 12-and-under athletes. Coach Handy will hold his final clinic to help coaches on Monday, August 3rd at 5 pm at FD.

According to Clare Camacho Agualo from the MTM Falcons, tickets are still available at both Avis Rent-A-Car locations in Tumon and the Guam International Airport. Ticket prices are $15 for children 12-and-under, $25 for general admission and $50 for VIP seating. The tip-off time will be at 7 pm at the Father Duenas Phoenix Center.

More than 40 youth players took part in Phil Handy's basketball clinic which included NBA stars JR Smith and Gerald Green. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

More than 40 youth players took part in Phil Handy’s basketball clinic which included NBA stars JR Smith and Gerald Green. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

Ad

GPS Sports Calendar

May

June 2025

July
SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Events for May

31st

No Events
Events for June

1st

No Events
Events for June

2nd

No Events
Events for June

3rd

No Events
Events for June

4th

No Events
Events for June

5th

No Events
Events for June

7th

8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Events for June

8th

Events for June

8th

No Events
Events for June

9th

No Events
Events for June

10th

No Events
Events for June

11th

No Events
Events for June

12th

No Events
Events for June

14th

15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Events for June

15th

Events for June

15th

No Events
Events for June

16th

No Events
Events for June

17th

No Events
Events for June

18th

No Events
Events for June

19th

No Events
Events for June

21st

22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Events for June

22nd

Events for June

22nd

No Events
Events for June

23rd

No Events
Events for June

24th

No Events
Events for June

25th

No Events
Events for June

26th

No Events
Events for June

28th

29
30
1
2
3
4
5
Events for June

29th

Events for June

30th

COMING SOON …

Guam National Bodybuilding Championship June 21

FD Alumni Basketball Tournament June 27-July 18

Pacific Mini Games June 29-July 9

 

QUICK HITS

Guam Blooded: Ethan Toves Maddies has signed to play D1 baseball for the College of The Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts on a full ride scholarship.
He is the son of proud parents Macky and Yvette Toves Maddies of Los Alamitos, California, grandson of Juan and Maria Toves+ formerly of Ordot/Barrigada Guam and Godson of Anthony and AnnMarie Toves of Ordot, Guam.

————————————————–

The JFK Islanders won the first ever Memorial Weekend High School Basketball Tournament.

The All-Tournament selection were Zhion Macapinlac JFK, Darwin Ecijan JFK, Matthew Quinata Southern, and Malcom Fernandez Tiyan.

JFK’s Collin Rillamas was named tournament MVP.

More in Basketball