This is how we do it, son: Golden State Warriors power forward McAdoo says playing needs strong work ethics
Basketball
By
ERICK OCHIENG'
| Jun 27, 2017
NBA star offers words of wisdom to Kawangware children during a four-day camp.
When Golden State Warriors power forward and two-time NBA winner James Michael McAdoo got born again at a Christian basketball camp in Maryland, US, he made a pledge.
He vowed to help organise a similar camp and offer youngsters a chance to experience what he did 13 years ago.
That dream was fulfilled yesterday in Nairobi’s Kawangware estate, where the world basketball icon has set up a basketball clinic with more than 130 children.
The four-day camp themed 'One Died For All' is based at the World Hope Centre and offers basketball training.
“My life was impacted by a similar camp I attended when I was 11 years old. I promised to do the same for other unfortunate children in the US and around the world,” said the 24-year-old player, who arrived on Friday.
The Kawangware camp that began yesterday and ends on Thursday has two sessions daily for the kitted players.
The morning sessions are for children aged between 10 and 14 years while the afternoon ones are tailored for 15 to 18-year-olds.
“I have come here to teach these lovely children basketball, which is a game I love and cherish. Part of the programme is to introduce them to the basics like shooting, dribbling, ball control and handling,” said McAdoo.
“I am also here to introduce them to our Lord Jesus Christ and to strengthen their faith and knowledge because without Jesus, I couldn’t have reached my current heights,” he said.
Group players
McAdoo’s first assignment at Hope Centre was to group the players into teams.
“Each team has two coaches; one local and one from the US. It is from these teams that the children will be taught various basketball techniques,” he said.
The 2009 US Basketball Male Athlete of the Year said he believed Kenyan players had the potential to play in the NBA just like others from Sudan, Nigeria and Angola.
“We want the children to dream big. We want them to have strong work ethics, which will propel them to greater heights. We want them to be totally dedicated to their dreams.”
McAdoo has pledged to follow up the players' progress and is hopeful the camp will be an annual event.
“The whole idea here is to establish relationships with these children as we lead them towards achieving their goals and turning to Christ. To successfully achieve this, we will have follow up and probably link them with exchange programmes, if opportunities arise,” he said.
Even though McAdoo is a two-time NBA champion (2015 and 2017), his humble demeanour belies the fame he attracts. He admitted that being an NBA champion made him feel blessed.
“The two times we won the NBA trophy we worked hard as a team. We had a positive spirit on both occasions and we were dedicated to our training,” he said, adding that he had no immediate plans to leave the Golden State Warriors.
Kenya is the second country after the US where McAdoo is holding the camp. His entourage has 40 people including his parents, Ronnie and Janet McAdoo.