Loyola?s Reitz Arena housed nearly 100 youngsters last week as part of the school?s basketball camp. There, kids learned the fundamentals of the sport from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
However, the basketball education didn?t stop once the kids cleared the arena floor. Instead, members of the Loyola men?s basketball team stepped onto the court for their own lessons from teachers who are considered among the best players to come out of the region over the last 15 years.
This basketball schooling came from players such as former Maryland and current Portland Trailblazer guard Juan Dixon, former St. John?s standout Marcus Hatten and former Temple star Mark Karcher in the form of high profile pickup basketball games. These players and others with college, semi-professional and professional experience converged at Loyola each afternoon in search of great competition against players of equal skill level.
“This is a great way to take advantage of all of the basketball talent in the Baltimore area,” said Loyola senior guard Shane James, a Toronto, Ontario native who spent two years playing for the Canadian Junior National Team.
Loyola guard Gerald Brown said the games provide him the opportunity to get acclimated with his teammates after sitting out last year following his transfer from Providence.
“Right now, I?m getting used to playing competitively again,” said Brown, who played for Douglass in high school. “These games will only help us get better for the regular season.”
Although played under informal settings, there is far more at stake in these games than bragging rights. Some participants such as Greyhound freshman guard Tony Lewis are preparing for their first college basketball season, while others are honing their skills in preparation for a professional career in the NBA or overseas.
“There?s a big difference between the high school and college game,” Lewis said. “Playing in games like this gives me confidence that I can succeed at the Division I level.”
One player aware of this talent is Baltimore native Todd Galloway, who is currently exploring his NBA summer team options. The former Florida State guard said the games at Loyola are the best in town.
“Everyone here is playing at a high level,” said Galloway, who averaged 7.5 points and 3.1 assists while starting all 30 games for the Seminoles last season. “The talent pool is unbelievable and there is a high level of respect for everyone?s games.”
Andre Collins said these games allow him to remain in top playing shape while exploring professional basketball options after failing in his bid for a sixth year of college eligibility.
“Where else are you going to find games in Baltimore where you have guys with college, NBA and overseas playing experience,” Collins said.
Dixon, who played at Calvert Hall in high school, said he doesn?t hold anything back in these games despite just finishing an 82-game NBA schedule.
“We?re always playing hard,” he said. “Everyone out there is competing and learning what it takes to get better.”
