NBA veteran David Wood to conduct clinic starting May 30

After months of planning, basketball enthusiasts will soon see the product of their hard work as the golden opportunity for youth cagers to learn from a veteran of the National Basketball Association is quickly approaching.

Former NBA player David Wood will soon arrive on Saipan to conduct clinics for coaches and youth players, with the first day of instruction set for the end of this month.

Organizers disclosed during a meeting on Monday that Wood will work with coaches from May 30 to June 3. Youth cagers will have their turn from June 5 to June 8.

According to Basketball Association of the Northern Mariana Islands vice president Elias Rangamar, the coaches clinic has already been filled as coaches and players from both national cage teams to the 6th Micronesian Games have taken the available slots.

About 300 slots are available for the youth players’ clinic, which will be divided into two divisions. Players between the ages of eight and 12 years old will have the opportunity to enhance their fundamental skills of the game in the morning sessions, while players between the ages of 13 and 17 years will see action and receive instruction in the afternoon sessions.

The players will then have the opportunity to work on or showcase their newly acquired skills at the end of the clinic as it culminates with a championship tournament that will acknowledge merit and award merit.

Prior to the actual clinics, all interested players must register and submit waiver forms to organizers. Deadline to register and secure a slot in the clinic is May 31. Registration forms can be picked up and submitted to officials at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium or Marianas Health Services located on the first floor of the Lim Building right across Microl Corp. in San Jose.

Wood played seven seasons as a forward in the NBA. He entered the league in 1988, suiting up for the Chicago Bulls. He has also suited up for the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, and the Milwaukee Bucks.

He last saw action with the Bucks in the 1996-1997 season.

He scored a total of 1,602 points, grabbed 1,004 rebounds, dished out 291 passes for assists, recorded 164 steals, and swatted 76 shots.

The clinic is sponsored by the Northern Youth Basketball Association, Youth With A Mission, BANMI, Aquarius Beach Tower Hotel, Budget Rent-A-Car, Turning Point Training Center, Joeten Motors, and Youth Team Sports Clinic University of the Nations.