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Omaha Health and Wellness Academy Combine July 23-25, 2009

This basketball combine was an opportunity to get skill training and development from some very experienced coaches and trainers. Coaches included long time NBA Legend and Coach, John Lucas, University of Houston Trainer and Houston Jaguars Women’s Coach, Louis Ray, AAU and High School Coach, Kevin Melcher, Kansas City Keys Director and Coach, Harrel Johnson, Adam Barnes and others. Appearances at the clinic and training were provided by Boston Celtic, Glenn “Big Baby” Davis and former Olympian and WNBA All-star, Ruthie Bolton. Spud Webb, NBA Legend appeared and spoke at the first annual Celebrity All-Star game.

The combine started on Thursday and was held at Omaha South High School. Youth participating included girls and boys from elementary to high school age. Coach Lucas, served as the Head Clinician on Friday, and coordinated the morning events. Both Ruthie Bolton and Glenn Davis spoke of their past experiences and obstacles that they overcame in order to fulfill their goals as professional athletes. Both further explained that through persistent, hard work and dedication that the youth could fulfill any of their goals whether as professional athletes or other careers. Ruthie’s challenge was similar to Mr. Davis in both started playing basketball competitively after high school. They both were challenged with learning and developing their skills.

Ruthie’s main obstacles were overcoming doubters including the Auburn coach who did not believe she was good enough to play at the university. Ruthie stated that through encouraging words from her mentor and father laid the foundation for her to achieve success. She quoted my father said, “If you live by principles then you don’t have to carry a luggage of rules.” Other quote included, “Do not let what other say about you in dictating what you wish to accomplish.” Ruthie says because of my father and my faith in Jesus Christ, I believed whatever I set out for, I could achieve it. Further, I then would work limitless in order to achieve my goal. This is why I became All Conference SEC, an Olympian Gold Medalist, and selected to play in All-Star games for the WNBA.

Glenn’s obstacles were overcoming a non-structured family life and staying focused in order to make the grades to be able to play high school sports. He stated that school was difficult and he was constantly tempted by negative forces in his environment. Further, he had bad habits and not the proper guidance. He stated that in spite of the odds, he dug deep within himself and stayed focused on his goal.

Spud Webb stated he did not make the varsity team for his high school until his senior year. He did not get an offer to play college basketball and therefore went to Junior College. After helping his team win the National Junior College Title he received a scholarship at North Carolina State. He emphasized that great inspiration from coaches like Jim Valvano who believed in him, sheer will, and his persistent work ethic helped him to become a 12 year veteran and NBA Dunk Champion.

The entire coaches and celebrities message for the combine was to encourage all the participants to work to get better. The messages was reiterated in our closing to the camp participants to challenge themselves, believe in themselves, and work harder to improve their skills both on and off the court.

Players from the Kansas City Keys Weigh-In on their Combine Experiences

Trey Bales, Kansas City Keys 14 & Under Guard

My experiences at the camp were good. I learned many different drills at the camp that I can take home with me to get better. It was cool meeting Glen Davis, John Lucas, and Ruthie Bolton. I feel that this camp was a good opportunity for me to get better and to show people that I can play. I believe this camp helped me out with showing me what I need to improve on. I think in the three days at camp it helped me improve my skills.

Jahrod Montez Barrett, Kansas City Keys 15 & Under Guard

Over the weekend I went to Omaha, Nebraska. I went there so I could go to a basketball camp. There we went over a lot of things. We also did numerous drills, too. Here’s what I learned:

• I learned to get better during a camp; you must go hard in every drill.
• While learning new drills do not be concerned with being comfortable. (You are learning new skills and therefore it is natural to be uncomfortable.)
• I learned how to dribble better with my left hand.
• I improved my shooting by using the correct form.
• I worked on improving my defense.

Overall, I had a great experience and I was challenged by Glenn “Big Baby” Davis and others to always do my best.

Joseph “JC” Johnson, Kansas City Keys 14 & Under Guard

There are a lot of things I learned at this camp. One thing I learned was you can get a lot out of a three day camp. Also, meeting new people helped me get better because all of the things they told me about improving my game and how they showed me helped me. Big Baby said, “It is hard to get where he is at today.” So I know I have to go out there and work really hard to become a good player. All the drills we were doing helped me a lot and I learned you just can’t wake up and just do nothing and think you are going to become a good player. The most thing I liked was listening to people that already been through this experience and what it is like.