Cagers gain as NBA legend Gervin shares tips

It was meant to be just a one-hour clinic that NBA Hall of Famer George Gervin and two-time WNBA champion Katie Smith were to conduct at Ahlcon International School.

It was meant to be just a one-hour clinic that NBA Hall of Famer George Gervin and two-time WNBA champion Katie Smith were to conduct at Ahlcon International School,Mayur Vihar. But thanks to the students enthusiasm,the two spent over two hours,sharing vital tips and answering questions.

Gervin interacted with the children,teaching fundamentals,including routine drills,movement on court and,of course,the clever use of board to shoot. The stress was on sideways movement,bending of left knee,the light grip on the ball and its release. Gervin,the San Antonio Spurs legend still standing tall at 6 feet 7 inches had a simple piece of advice. He said that it was practice-and practice alone-that would enable athletes to achieve greater perfection in shooting. I used to do 600 to 800 shots every day, emphasised Gervin.

Speaking to media afterwards,Gervin said India,with its youth population,could produce players of great potential and pose a great challenge in the whole of Asia. You already have a great number of youth in schools and colleges who would be willing to take to basketball. But what you need is a right programme and adequate infrastructure, he said.

In addition to the clinic both Gervin and Katie will attend the finals of the Mahindra NBA Challenge,the largest multi-city league in the country,which the NBA conducts in collaboration with the Basketball Federation of India. At the end of the clinic,the students of Ahlcon promised the NBA and WNBA greats that they would remember the tips they had been given and develop skills to emerge better hoopsters. The Ice Man whose 44 jersey was retired by the Spurs in recognition of his contribution to the game in turn promised all possible help for the school to excel further in the game.

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