By Jerome Lagunzad
Batang Gilas standouts Forthsky Padrigao and Raven Cortez will have an experience to remember after they have been selected to join 64 other boys and girls from 16 countries and territories for the 10th Basketball Without Borders Asia set from May 30 to June 2 at the NBA Academy in New Delhi, India.
The 5-foot-11 Padrigao, the newest recruit of reigning UAAP juniors champion Ateneo, and the 6-foot-7 Cortez, the vastly improving big man from La Salle-Zobel, should gain valuable lessons in the four-day camp which will be graced by notable NBA and WNBA veterans.
Oklahoma City Thunder wingman Corey Brewer, Brooklyn Nets guard Caris LeVert, Miami Heat backup center Kelly Olynyk and Dallas Mavericks forward Dwight Powell will team up with two-time WNBA Champion Ruth Riley and former player Ebony Hoffman in teaching the top high school prospects from Asia and the Pacific.
The event will mark the second time that NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program will be held in India, with players and coaches leading the campers through a variety of activities on and off the court.
Included in the list of activities are movement efficiency, positional skill development, shooting and skills competitions, 5-on-5 games, and daily life skills seminars focusing on health, leadership and communication.
Current NBA assistant coaches Bret Brielmaier (Nets), Darvin Ham (Atlanta Hawks), Ryan Saunders (Minnesota Timberwolves), and Mike Wells (Utah Jazz) will also serve as BWB Asia 2018 coaches.
