NBA stars and coaches have come to Beijing to help 50 promising young basketball players. The young players were chosen from across the Asia-Pacific region to take part in a training camp.
The NBA professionals were here to help Asia's top young basketball talents at a competitive training workshop in Beijing. The four-day camp brought together 47 players between 15 and 18. Of these, only fifteen will be chosen to represent Asia at the Adidas under 18 Basketball Experience in the United States in August. 15 year old Zhang Junxiang from China is hoping to be one of them.
Zhang Junxiang said, "I think the camp is really a lot of fun. How we are trained here is different. We are so excited to see foreign coaches."
Helping the youngsters to improve their skills were several NBA coaches and two star players from the New Jersey Nets, guard Devin Harris and center Brook Lopez. These mentors say they hope to help the youngsters improve their strength and speed in the game.
Davin Harris, of New Jersey Nets, said, "You can go different ways, I mean, I think growing up in the playground definitely helps you deal with it. I had an older brother who used to just punish me so that's something that I had become kind of used to but I think you know, the experience of becoming accustomed to it, you kind of learn how to be physical, you know, with the right coach."
With the help of the NBA stars, the young participants hope they will one day be able to reach the same heights as their heroes.
(CCTV May 21, 2009)
