Basketball without Borders, the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program, returned to Australia for the first time since 2016 in Melbourne to stage the 12th BWB Asia camp at NBA Global Academy, the league’s elite basketball training center at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence at the Australian Institute of Sport, with Filipino standouts LA John Andres and Caelum Harris joining.
This year, BWB Asia featured the top 60 high-school age boys and girls from 15 countries and territories across the Asia-Pacific region, including the Philippines’ Andres of Ateneo and junior Gilas standout Harris.
They had the opportunity to learn from NBA All-Star Jarrett Allen (Cleveland Cavaliers), Australian native and BWB alumnus Josh Green (Dallas Mavericks), Cameron Johnson (Phoenix Suns) and Coby White (Chicago Bulls).
NBA assistant coaches Damian Cotter (Bulls), David Akinyooye (Oklahoma City Thunder) and Eric Glass (Miami Heat); New York Knicks international scout and Serbia Men’s National Team assistant coach Adam Tatalovich; former WNBA players Kristi Harrower (Australia) and Annie La Fleur (Australia); and FIBA Players’ Commission Deputy Chairwoman and former Australia Women’s National Team player Jenni Screen (Australia) are serving as BWB Asia coaches.
In addition, Patrick Hunt (President of the World Association of Basketball Coaches) is the camp director, while Dan Shimensky (Denver Nuggets) is serving as the camp’s athletic trainer.
BWB Asia 2022 tipped off with an opening ceremony with remarks from FIBA Oceania Executive Director Amanda Jenkins, Camp Director Patrick Hunt, NBA Head of International Basketball Operations Chris Ebersole, and Josh Green, who previously participated as a camper in BWB Global 2018 in Los Angeles.
The morning session had the campers experience a variety of on and off the court activities, including movement efficiency, positional skill development, shooting and skills competitions, and 5-on-5 games.
In the afternoon, more than 50 coaches attended the FIBA coaches clinic, which featured advanced basketball instruction from BWB coaches Damian Cotter, Eric Glass and Jenni Screen.