New Orleans Pelicans guard Norris Cole and WNBA champion Taj McWilliams-Franklin are in Manila to grace the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines National Training Camp happening from April 22 to 24, 2016.
Both look forward to experience the basketball culture in the country and impart knowledge to the event’s participants when they do hands-on work during the weekend.
“They are all die-hard (basketball) fans. It’s a cool country. That’s pretty amazing,” McWilliams-Franklin, who is now a women’s basketball coach for Post University, said.
“Just energy, enthusiasm, passion. The things I love about basketball. Giving them such some skill sets, fundamental skills, something they can take with them away from here that they can practice on their own or with their friends, and just merge some of what they do here and the core values, the team work, the respect, the positive attitude, bring that all in so you can carry that with you for not only now but while you’re growing and changing into the adult you’re going to be.”
Cole himself said even before making the trip, he already knew about the country’s love for the game, and he wants to get a first-hand glimpse aside from helping the youngsters learn more about the game.
“I understood basketball is the number one sport here. They love the game. Obviously, the population is huge. I look forward to experiencing the culture here, the basketball here and meeting great people. I look forward to that experience,” he said.
This year’s Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA training camps drew over 20,000 participants, which is the highest.
“It is very important to have that encouragement, to have that foundation, and to learn the fundamentals of the game. I had it as a youngster, and I think it is great for the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA to be that foundation,” Cole added.
“I think the players will take advantage of it and become better players and better people.”
Cole, who made a switch from the Miami Heat where he won two NBA titles to the Pelicans, also shared how he tried to share his experiences with his former team to help the Pelicans. Those experiences are something he also wants to share to the participants of the training camp.
“I went from being the young guy to being the most experienced guy. I just want to promote good habits. There’s a reason why you’re a winner and why you’re a champion in this league. You prepare yourself everyday, you put in work everyday so that when the time comes you’re on the court, you can be special as a team. That’s what I try to promote. Being special everyday. Not just on certain games,” he said.
The culmination of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines National Training Camp will be on April 24 at the Mall of Asia Music Hall.
