BTMI, Baba Host Basketball Camp With Former NBA Player
On Thursday, April 13, the Barbados Amateur Basketball Association (BABA) in conjunction with the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. will be giving more than 50 children the opportunity of a lifetime. The two organizations are set to host a one-day basketball camp with former National Basketball Association (NBA) player, Trajan Langdon.
Langdon currently serves as the assistant general manager of the Brooklyn Nets, an NBA franchise and professional team with whom the BTMI has enjoyed a successful partnership since 2015. BTMI CEO, William ‘Billy’ Griffith, added that “the BTMI is proud to be the link connecting the future of Barbadian basketball with seasoned professionals such as Trajan Langdon. Our partnership with the Brooklyn Nets is indeed multifaceted, and we are happy to see it engaging one of our most valued stakeholders – the Barbadian public. Our hope is that this will encourage our young basketball players and leave a lasting, positive impression in their minds.”
The two-hour camp will be held at the Kensington Oval Bond, starting at 1 p.m. with participants from the Next Generation Athletics and Basketball Academy, and the YMCA Mini League Programme. The Next Generation Athletics and Basketball Academy is headed by Zahir Motara and has been in existence for almost two years. The Academy focuses on elite skill development, catering to males and females from age six and up, for any skill level from beginners to pros. Meanwhile, the YMCA Mini League Programme, led by Adrian Craigwell, is celebrating eight years of coaching children from various primary and secondary schools across the island.
There will be 50 to 60 children between the ages of 6 and 16 participating from both camps. They will be sub-divided into 6-11 and 12-16 age categories.
Derrick Garrett, president of the BABA board, shared his hopes for the camp, “We are excited to partner with the BTMI for this initiative. It’s a great opportunity for our youth to not only enhance their skills but also to understand the benefits and see the possibilities of the sport of basketball. We hope that this is the start of a promising relationship and it leads to great things where, overseas players and coaches visit Barbados and/or invite our youth internationally to gain new experiences, learn and grow in the sport.”
The Brooklyn Nets, based in the popular Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, New York, have a history of embarking on mutually beneficial ventures with the BTMI throughout the successful partnership. Most recently they hosted a Barbados culture night presentation during a game between the Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers, featuring Barbadian singer, Nikita Browne, and Nets dancers, the Brooklynettes, performed to hits by Rihanna during their routine.
