Spoelstra holds NBA-style camp for collegiate cagers

MANILA, Philippines - Erik Spoelstra, the Fil-Am head coach of the Miami Heat, conducts an NBA-style basketball training camp at the Araneta Coliseum today with some of the country’s top men and women cagers taking part.

The development camp, the first in the country and the largest NBA Fit program in Southeast Asia, served as part of the ongoing nine-day NBA FIT Week ending Aug. 15.

The participants consisted of 80 players selected from UAAP member schools and other areas in Metro Manila. Spoelstra, along with Miami Heat assistant coach Dave Fizdale, will use the latest NBA training techniques and advanced fitness messaging in training the participants during the one-day affair.

The players will also receive relevant training on advanced hydration “sweat tests”, proper nutrition for athletes, and other activities. The event will also be attended by local basketball coaches, athletic trainers and members of the media.

The NBA FIT Week is a project under the NBA Cares initiative of the international basketball league. It is a comprehensive health and wellness program that promotes a healthy lifestyle for children and their families through various programs, events, and products. It also upholds the importance of physical, mental, and emotional fitness in daily living.

“NBA FIT is a terrific program and I am excited to return to the Philippines to promote the importance of healthy living to Filipino children and their families,” said Spoelstra. “Basketball is a huge part of my life and giving back to our community is meaningful to me. Being able to combine basketball and my heritage gives me great pride.”

Spoelstra is on his third season as head coach of the Miami Heat after serving as the team’s assistant coach and scouting director. He is credited for helping design and integrate a proprietary statistical database and scouting software for the team. Spoelstra led the Heat to the 2009 NBA Playoffs, only a year after taking over as head coach. He is the first Asian/Filipino-American head coach in any of the major North American sports leagues.

Aside from the basketball development camp, the NBA FIT week also includes fitness clinics, a fun run, and a community activity under the NBA Cares umbrella.