JEDDAH: Last weekend the Sports United Friendship Basketball Program hosted the NBA Players Association’s basketball coaching clinics and training at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports Complex basketball gym here.
For the first time ever in Saudi Arabia, an NBA coaching and players clinic took place to bring quality training to the community youth and coaches. The concept started with the partnership of Friends of Jeddah Parks and Jeddah United Sports Co. facilitated through the US Consulate. The US State Department contacted the NBA Players Association, Friends of Jeddah Parks met with Jeddah United, and the project came together with the US Consulate sponsoring the trip of two retired NBA players to Saudi Arabia for three days to hold coaching clinics and training for youth. The men’s training clinic was part of Faisal Park’s summer festival to provide wholesome activities for the youth.
The NBA Players Association’s Director of Player Programs, Purvis Short, was a first round draft pick of the Golden State Warriors in 1978. At the height of his career, he averaged 29 points a game and was the third highest scorer that year. His career spanned 11 years with him also playing for the Houston Rockets and the New Jersey Nets. Kermit Washington was a first round draft pick in 1973 for the LA Lakers, was an NBA All Star and also played for the Boston Celtics, San Diego Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers, and the Golden State Warriors in a 9-year career. The NBA coaches used hands in explaining the techniques to the kids and coaches.
“They teach about life, they just use basketball to do it,” Purvis said. “When you pass the ball to a teammate don’t just turn away. Help him get the job done, set a pick or get open so he can pass it back to you. Follow him to the basket in case he misses the shot so you can follow up. These are things that we do in life when we work with people.”
Ambassador Ford M. Fraker attended the training and dignitaries from the Friends of Jeddah Parks, the Saudi Basketball Federation, Jeddah United, and the Jeddah US Consulate also graced the event.
Purvis and Kermit showed coaches from the Saudi clubs the rudiments of offense, defense, and warm up exercises. Training the boys, they did dribbling drills, passing, lay up drills, shooting, and defense drills. Purvis and Kermit stressed the importance of a good attitude and good conditioning along with living a healthy lifestyle while playing sports. The NBA Players Association said that they would enjoy returning to Saudi Arabia to train youth.
