Adidas opens superstar camp

SHANGHAI, China — The adidas superstar camp Asia officially kicked off at the Shanghai Sports Academy today with 50 elite youth players from seven countries, including four from the Philippines.

Ken Barracoso, Borgy Hermida, Paul Sorongon and Paul Zamar were selected to represent the Philippines in the four-day basketball camp highlighted by the presence of two-time NBA Sixth Man Awardee and three-time All-Star Detlef Schrempf, the NBA’s 2003 Most Improved Player and MVP of the 2003 ‘got milk’ Rookie Challenge Gilbert Arenas and several American and European coaches. The camp participants all arrived yesterday from several regions in China, Hong Kong, Australia, Chinese Taipei, Singapore, and the Philippines.

"I’m very honored to be here and I look forward to coaching (the participants) over the next few days," said Schrempf. "I’m sure with the size and talent (here), someone will have a chance to make it to the NBA," he added referring to the odds of one of the campers making it to the NBA.

The adidas superstar camp Asia is the first of its kind in the region bringing in the most elite young players and professional coaches coming together to share their knowledge of the game. Also participating in the camp are Scott Layden, a former NBA general manager and assistant coach, Ken Potosnak an NCAA Division One coach, and professional basketball coach and scout Maarten Van Gent and Rob Meurs.

"This is truly an international event. This shows us that the world of basketball is only two blocks long," said Layden of the adidas superstar camp that aims to provide the young players with a very instructive basketball and enjoyable cross-country experience.