NBA, larga sa ‘Holy Land’

JERUSALEM (AP) — Magsasagawa ng programa ang NBA sa ‘Holy Land’ bilang bahagi ng ‘ Basketball Without Borders’ sa susunod na Linggo kung saan tatampukan ng pinakamahuhusay na player sa kasalukuyan.

Target ni NBA Commissioner Adam Silver na makakalap nang mga batang player para maturuan sa programa, kung saan pinapayagan ang lahat na sumabak sa ‘camp’.

Nakapaloob sa programa, ayon kay Silver, ang ilang panuntunan na magagamit batayan ng mga players sa kanilang paghhahangad na maging pro player.

“It’s a realization that in order to develop as an elite player at a relatively young age, you need to begin competing against other elite players. And also you need the benefit of top notch coaching,” pahayag ni Silver.

Kabuuang 60 Under-17 players ang nagmula sa Europe – tampok ang 40 boys at 20 girls. Pangangasiwaan sila ng mga dating NBA player at coach, kabilang si Israel’s Omri Casspi, bagong miyembro ng defending champion Golden State Warriors, at Hall of Famer David Robinson.

“Whatever region we’re in, we educate the young folks about what’s happening socially, politically, economically in the area they are in,” sambit ni Silver.

“It’s life skills in addition to basketball. It’s about the values of the game, like leadership and discipline and hard work and respect for each other.”

“We look for regions where we can have a bigger impact than just the game of basketball,” aniya.