High school basketball players in New Providence got an opportunity to test their skills this weekend, at the first annual All Caribbean Basketball Invitational.
The campers went through a series of drills and evaluation tests, used by many of the young male basketball players in the United States of America (USA) for training. The two-day camp was hosted by Bahamian basketball player Sarone Kennedy who has enjoyed a long run in the sport. Kennedy and his wife Staffica Bain-Kennedy were both national team standouts, who have played on the collegiate level.
"What we want to do is better the skills set of the players at home," said Kennedy. "So the camp is for the betterment of those who are in attendance. This is the first year and we look to do more events. I work for Caribbean Basketball Network, which is a scouting agency for players in the Caribbean. What we do is try to scout players here in the Caribbean. Try to find the best. Players with good attitudes, good grades and skills and assist with them being scouted so that they can move on."
The invitational was held at the Anatol Rodgers gymnasium. More than 60 young men took part on the Friday and Kennedy was looking to improve that number on Saturday.
Before hitting the court for group play, campers went through a series of drills which included metrics, full body fitness and skills tests. Dario Dean, starting forward for the Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves high school said the camp has opened up his eyes to a new level of training. He is hoping to use the skills learned and apply to his game.
"We were exposed to a lot of the drills and exercises that we don't get to do here at home. I feel as though the players abroad, they have an advantage over us because they have a better coaching system. The first annual Coach Kennedy camp has exposed us to what we need to do. I feel it will help me drastically in my game. I need to get a lot stronger because the players away [are] probably much stronger than we are. I know that I can do it if I continue to work hard."
Kennedy was also employed with the American Basketball Association. He has connections with the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association (NJCAA), NIKE, Athletes in Action, Basketball Connections and Caribbean Basketball Network.

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