Coaches receptive to NBA vet’s clinic

After just one day of instruction, participants of the basketball clinic conducted by former NBA player David Wood and other delegates of the University of Nations are already expressing appreciation to their instructors.

This, as several participants in the clinic explained that because the clinic focuses primarily on building character, it serves as reinforcement to what they also preach to youth players on island in hopes of developing not only a skillful individual on the court, but off the court as well.

“Basketball is 90 percent mental, and your character will determine your ultimate achievement on and off the court,” said veteran and CNMI Men’s National Basketball Team coach Rufino Aguon. “I’m really glad they’re talking about the same thing I preach. Coming from experts, its very encouraging that those positive values and traits are not put aside.”

Jose Tumaquip, a 22-year-old who serves as one of the coaches of the Garapan Rollers organization, expressed similar comments as he explained that he looks forward to using what he learns from the clinic to help develop young players.

“It’s only one night but we’re learning a lot, especially about character,” he said. “We have to know the character of each of our players and if there’s something wrong, then we have a responsibility to try to fix it because if we don’t, it going to be a habit for that player and it will be harder to change in the future.”

The clinic for coaches began Monday evening and will conclude on June 3. Over 35 individuals are taking part in the clinic, which is conducted by Wood, Dan Dix, Mike Brown, and Dick Dankworth.

“It’s a boost for the overall program [in the CNMI] so [coaches] understand that it’s not all about basketball,” Aguon added. “Basketball is just part of your life. How you achieve goals in basketball is the same as how you achieve goals in life. In order to achieve something, you have to work hard…there’s no short cut.”

Dankworth said he is pleased with the first night of the clinic.

“I think there seems to be a lot of enthusiasm and receptivity on the nationals teams and every one here,” Dankworth said. “They’re working hard and are responding to the things they’re being coached about.”

After working with the coaches, the officials will also hold a four-day clinic for the youth between the ages of eight and 17 years. Players between eight and 12 will have morning sessions, while players between the ages of 13 and 17 years will get their turn during 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.