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| Choosing a Camp |
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Many, many basketball camps have sprung up throughout the East. Everyone, it seems, is holding a camp. While some camps are good, most are average at best and camps with speakers are the worst. Camps that have speakers in the morning and speakers in the afternoon should pay you to attend their camp.
COST- If you can't find a 4-day/3-night talent camp for under $425, stay at home. Camps that cost over $500 are way overpriced. Avoid talent camps that are shorter.
DAYS/NIGHTS- Players should go to a talent camp that is at least 4 days. Anything less is too short. With tryouts the first day and All Star games the last day, you should have 3 full days of games, instruction and tournaments between the first and last day.
FACILITIES- When you pay for a camp, you can expect to play all games on indoor courts. If a camp plays their games outdoors, find another camp. You can play outdoors at home for free. Additionally, every gym should have a trainer on duty. Dorms should be air-conditioned.
COMPETITION- Many camps offer little competition. You get great satisfaction to be the MVP at camp, but the best player improves the least. Attend a camp that has your level of competition or better. If you are a college prospect, you should go to an All Star oriented camp. You should have at least one hour of station drills per day and competitive tournaments (1-on-1, 2-on-2, 3-on-3, free throw and three point).
NCAA CERTIFICATION- Whether you go to an individual camp or a team camp, If you are a potential Division I collegiate player. You should go to an NCAA certified camp.
TEAM CAMPS- Don't even consider going to a team camp with only 8-12 teams. There will either be too much competition and you'll lose every game by 20 or there will not be enough competition and you'll win every game by 20. You should go to a camp with at least 2-3 different leagues with 2-3 different levels of competition so you can play close to your level.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A GOOD TEAM CAMP
- Costs $175 or less for a weekend camp
- Costs $405 or less for a 5-day/4-night camp
- Has at least five successful years of operating team camp
- Air-conditioned dorms for both coaches and players
- Has enough teams that you play a team only one time unless you want to play them twice
- Non-weekend camps should have tournaments and 3-main leagues for individual improvement
- Has at least 2 varsity leagues so your team can play at your level
- Weekend camps should play at least seven games
- 5-day camps should play at least 12 games
- Games shouldn't be played on outdoor courts
- Every gym should have a trainer
- Games should be played with game situations - stopping the clock on all whistles
- NCAA certified: College coaches and scouting services in attendance
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