THE saying about time flying? It’s real.
Just 10 or so years ago, today’s young basketball pros were mere tykes who wanted to take their game higher by joining the Jr. NBA. The NBA’s global youth basketball participation basketball program had just been introduced to the Philippines and was the newest basketball thing in town.
Besides teaching basketball skills and the NBA STAR values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude and Respect, the program identified outstanding local talent and hailed them as Jr. NBA All-Stars during its penultimate stage, the National Training Camp.
The All-Stars were later rewarded with a trip abroad, where they had an authentic NBA experience: watching live NBA basketball games and playing alongside other Jr. NBA counterparts in friendly competitions. Meeting NBA legends and other personalities, plus enjoying city tours of the places they visited was part of the package.
Now known as Jr. NBA Philipines presented by Alaska, the world-class basketball camp still remains free for all participants and has grown by leaps and bounds. Four of its early Jr. NBA All-Stars are now basketball professionals and living their basketball dreams, also serving as inspiration to other young ballers who want to make basketball not just a career, but life itself.
This week I’d like to show how time has flown indeed by showing the Jr. NBA photos of three young players now flying high in the pros, and one just about to turn pro. Enjoy these “Baby Pictures” of Aljon Mariano, Ginebra Gin King, Jr. NBA All-Star 2007; Kiefer Ravena, NLEX Road Warrior, Jr. NBA All-Star 2007; Mark Jayven Tallo, TNT Katropa, Jr. NBA All-Star 2009; and Kobe Paras Jr. NBA All-Star 2011.
This weekend the Jr. NBA holds its third Regional Selection Camp for 2018 at Benguet State University in La Trinidad, Benguet. One more Regional Selection Camp remains: the one in Manila on April 21 and 22 at Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati. The National Training Camp is scheduled for May 18 to 20, also at Don Bosco and SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.