NIKE SKILLS U

7/11/12  
Arlington, Virginia

I'm blessed to say that my first day @ the Nike "Skills U" was a blast.  Having the opportunity to work with and learn from coaches, trainers, and former competitors is a great experience!  Coaches Fran Fraschilla (ESPN),  Dino Gaudio (former head coach @ Wake Forest), and Herman Harried (Head Coach Lake Clifton) all possess so much knowledge as the lead directors.  The fun part for me though is when I get to trade war stories with guys that played in my era.  The staff includes my former St. Ray's teammate Dana Dingle (UMass), as well as: Jamal Robinson (McClancy H.S./ University of Virginia), Corey Alexander (University of Virginia), Junior Burrough (University of Virginia), Aljami Durham (St. Ray's/Atlanta Knicks AAU Team) & Mike Morrison (Loyola College).  

The camp features 80 of the top players from all over the country.  There is a lot of talent,  but what impressed me the most about the first day, was the willingness of the players to compete and work hard.  Yesterday marked the first day of the "Live Period".  Which basically means that during this period, college coaches are able to come to events like Nike "Skills U" and assess the guys that they're recruiting.  All of the big dogs are here.  North Carolina, Duke, Texas, Syracuse, Villanova, St. John's, and Oregon-just to name a few.  So this is a great opportunity for these young men to showcase their skills, and demonstrate great character- which will result in a free education @ a major university.  

The game of basketball is simple.  Sometimes as players, coaches, and trainers-we make it harder than what it is.  The bottom line is that you have to continue to get better.  Once you stop honing your skills-that's when the game passes you by.  My goal this week is to soak up so much basketball knowledge and better myself.  The more knowledge I have, the better I can prepare my clients and their parents.

Eric Harris
trainwithericharris@gmail.com