Delano Spencer Elite Skills & IQ Camp Recap
I got chills as I sat and watched Derick Pope, former pro basketball player facilitate and break down film. It’s not often you see pro athletes equipping young players with the tools they need to be successful. When players weren’t…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingI got chills as I sat and watched Derick Pope, former pro basketball player facilitate and break down film. It’s not often you see pro athletes equipping young players with the tools they need to be successful. When players weren’t on the hardwood they were learning a greater depth about their game.
“With our background playing overseas we wanted to give back. I wish I had this when I was growing up. We want to expose them to the knowledge of this game,” said Pope.
I spoke to Bryce Wilkins, 2022, 6’4 small forward who said watching film helped him identify what he can work on to improve his game. “This camp improved my basketball IQ,” said Wilkins. Wilkins attends Discovery High School. He is an athletic all-around player. His game is versatile and unpredictable. Wilkins can handle the ball like a point guard, attack the rim and rebound. His ability to post up, shoot and go from coast to coast makes him difficult to guard. He’s energetic and plays with great vigor.
Khaleed Wellman, 2023, 5’10 small forward attends Hampton High School. Wellman won the Hustle Award this week at the Delano Spencer Elite Skills & IQ Camp. Wellman gives his best effort every possession. He makes invaluable contributions when he’s on the court. He will go to battle to gain possession of the ball when he’s defending or diving on the floor for a loose ball. He has a ferocious desire to make hustle plays. “Since being here I have sharpened my skills. I’ve been able to play against good competition to make my game better. The coaches care about helping us become better players, said Wellman.”
The Most Improved Player, Josiah Asfaw, is a 5’8 shooting guard from Park View High School. “It feels good to know that the coaches seen something in me”, said Asfaw. Asfaw is a teachable player with the desire to learn. He follows directions well and learns quickly. He has a nice mid-range jumper and is a team player. When asked how the camp has helped him, Asfaw had this to say; “I came here with poor basketball IQ now I have confidence in my shot and overall game.”
The Most Valuable Player is typically bestowed upon the best-performing player. This award wasn’t handed to a player, it was earned by Luke Strickland. Strickland is a 5’11 2023 shooting guard from Park View High School. He is the type of player that separates himself from the competition because of his work ethic and hunger to be the best player on the hardwood. He means business the moment he steps on the court. I enjoyed how he let’s the game come to him, he doesn’t rush his offense. When he gets going there’s no looking back. He can shoot beyond the arc, penetrate the defense for a pull-up jumper or dish the ball. “It’s been good competing with players my age. The coaches running the camp know a lot about the game and I they have helped me take on more of a dog mentality,” said Strickland.
“We want to keep this going and keep giving back to players in Metro Atlanta. It’s important for pro players to give back to their community,” said Delano Spencer.