For the better part of last week, I was in the gym watching basketball. Well, not exactly basketball as we know it, but the beginnings of basketball. Dave Bradshaw, his brother Mike, and son Riley, put on a basketball camp at Corvallis. They have done this for more than 35 years and have impacted players from Stanford to Spokane.
I had my three oldest grandkids in the camp and so was there from 9 to 2 a couple of days. I looked at it as not only having my kids learn from great basketball minds but also as a refresher course for me. As you all know, I love basketball. So I sat there and listened to the coaches teach the fundamentals and picked up little tidbits that I could use to either help the kids, or use when I watch basketball.
I found it very interesting to watch the beginning players. From Monday to Thursday, this group of girls made amazing strides. They learned how to practice without a ball and a net, concentrating on form. Then they learned how to shoot the ball without the net but still concentrating on their form. By Thursday, the girls were making baskets, playing defense with their feet and hands in the proper position, and laughing and having fun.
My two grandsons were in the older group of boys. Their instructors were Dave Bradshaw, Riley Bradshaw, Riley King and another player whose name I didn’t get. The two Rileys and the other player all have had college experience and so the boys really thought this was neat. These young men really engaged with the young players and created a lot of good will. They were good examples, and not just on the court.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching the development of future players and especially my kids. My thanks to the Bradshaws and their crew for putting this work in and for all the years they have done this. As Dave Bradshaw said, “Basketball is pretty much our life, and we want to share it.”