The Tribune

THE 9th Denykco Bowles Elite Skills Basketball Camp, presented by International Basketball Academy Bahamas, featured a special segment for its participants where they learned valuable lessons in media training.

IBA and camp director Denykco Bowles invited several local media personalities to address the campers and advise on the benefits of proper media etiquette at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium.

The media panel included Marcellus Hall, Renaldo Dorsett, Felicity Darville, Simba French, and Tim Munnings, director of sports in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.

“Media day is needed for our kids, especially when it comes to public speaking and interviews. We want to teach them the importance on things they need to do and things that they should not do when it comes to interviewing whether it be on the job or not,” Bowles said.

“We just want to allow them to be comfortable and make a good impression of themselves. It is about marketing yourself. Once these kids exude that confidence in public, I think it is something that they will use to build themselves, not only as student-athletes, but in character-building as well.”

After brief introductions where they detailed their history in the industry, they were divided into groups for more detailed instructions. At the end of the session, campers were randomly selected for a mock interview.

“A lot of the kids are excited,” Bowles said of the camp’s ninth year. “This is our first year being back after COVID-19. Everyone was excited to come out and they wanted to learn a sport. Some of the kids came out for the first time and never touched a basketball in their life. We are definitely thankful that we are here. This year has been extremely good for us.”

The aspiring players like 11-year-old Carsyn Smith said the lessons from the camp will stay with them as their careers move forward.

“I learned how to be confident in interviews, not to have bad energy while talking. I learned to look up and into the interviewer’s eyes. I am very happy I learned that so when I grow up and I get actual interviews, I can know what to say,” Smith said.

The camp, which ends today, had a series of speakers over the course of the last few weeks, aimed at developing positive personality traits on and off the court.

On the court, the camp’s concentration included the campers’ basketball IQ, footwork, advanced ball handling, offence/defence critiquing and training and strength resistance training.

The camp was also highlighted by an appearance from Charlotte Hornets forward Kai Jones prior to his departure for the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada.