Hard to believe that today is the last day of camp. The kids all worked hard and improved throughout the week. I cannot imagine going to a camp and not be able to understand what the coaches are saying. Some of the translators have trouble understanding what we are saying, so imagine what is going thru a young players mind. The kids that understand English have such an advantage when running drills or running a play. Last night ran into two former Nike All Asia Camp players, Ito and Matsui. They were great players at the Nike camp and both went to Montrose Christian. After High School Ito attended the University of Portland and Matsui went on to play at Columbia. They are currently playing professionally in Japan and both play for Toyota. They just won the JBL championship. Here at the BWB camp there are quite a few kids that are being recruited by schools stateside. Basketball is a great game that provides opportunities for so many kids from all over the world. Basketball Without Borders helps these kids grow not only as players but as people too. Besides basketball they provide these kids with invaluable tools thru life skills sessions. They have courses on leadership, teamwork, sex education, etc… Basketball Without Borders changes so many lives, not only the kids but also the coaches. Cannot thank the entire BWB staff for all of their help in making everyone feel at home and for making our lives so easy. Thanks to God for giving me the life that I have.

Here in Japan with a great group of coaches, players, ex players and a great staff from the NBA offices. On Tuesday we all went to the site where the tsunami hit last year. It is really hard to comprehend just how powerful the ocean can be and how large the waves were. The devastation and damage that the tsunami caused is still very visible to this day. I’m sure for most people the damage is permanent as many have lost loved ones, friends, homes and everything that they owned. After being at the beach we went and did a clinic for the kids at a local school. The kids were so excited to see us and in everything that they did. At the school everything was so neat and in place. The Japanese are very proud, respectful and honorable people. We need more of that in the states. On Wednesday headed over to the gym and got to watch game one of the NBA Finals. It was great to see some of the game. The NBA Basketball without Borders people run an unbelievable event. The staff is the best and they are so helpful with everything. I cannot thank them enough. This is my third event with them and they always go above and beyond their call to make things easy for all of us. Yesterday the camp opened up with media day, afterwards it was time to get into the gym and do some station work. After lunch it was time to see the kids play and do player evaluations. In the evening it was time for the draft. There are some big kids here at camp from all over the place. Will keep you posted as to what happens in the next few days. All I know is that it is a day closer to getting home and seeing my family.

   First of all I would like to apologize to all of my followers for not writing a post in quite some time. I didn’t have much to write about. I am currently in Tokyo, Japan getting ready to work the NBA Basketball without Borders Camp. Just flew in this afternoon from Guangzhou, China where I finished up my 11th NIKE All Asia Camp. Before the boys camp I also worked the girls NIKE All Asia camp. I love coming over to China and now I am looking forward to seeing Japan. Tomorrow we will be taking a trip to where the tsunami hit Japan the hardest. I’m sure it will be a life changing trip. China has changed so much in the past decade and I am amazed every time that I go there by the progress and industrialization that occurs there. The basketball is getting better every year as well. The players are getting faster, stronger, quicker and they are also developing their fundamentals. The world has caught up quickly to the United States in more than just basketball. We need to get our act together on and off the court, if we want to remain a super power. We need to understand that basketball is a team game and if you play as a team you will always beat a bunch of selfish individuals. We need to practice the fundamentals more and play less games. Years ago kids went to camp to work on their games, now all they do is play games and they don’t ever work on their weaknesses. The toughest part of this trip is being away from my family. Will try to blog every other day and let you know what is happening in Tokyo. May God Bless you and your loved ones.