Mike Dunleavy scheduled to address campers
By Pete Borello, Town Crier Staff Writer
 photo courtesy of the Warriors The Warriors Basketball Camp begins Tuesday in Los Altos Hills. |
Don’t expect to learn the finer points of the windmill dunk or around-the-back pass at the Warriors Basketball Camp, which comes to Foothill College in Los Altos Hills next week.
Although the youth camp is run by the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, it doesn’t focus on all that fancy stuff pro players can do.
“We stress skills development and fundamentals,” said Warriors Youth Basketball Manager Jeff Addiego, who will direct the four-day camp at Foothill.
The camp is “basically geared to all skill levels and abilities,” according to Addiego, “from first-time players to those trying to make their junior-varsity or freshman teams.” It is open to boys and girls ages 8-16.
The morning sessions stress individual skills and fundamentals, with contests and scrimmages taking place in the afternoon sessions.
Held throughout the Bay Area, the Warriors Basketball Camp has drawn more than 7,000 participants in its six years. Like the NBA, the camps have drawn international players. Addiego said campers have come from as far as India, Japan, Portugal and Spain.
“It’s grown tremendously,” Addiego said. “From 450 (participants) the first year to probably 1,300 this summer and 2,200 for the year.”
Addiego expects about 85 youngsters at next week’s camp.
The Warriors last brought the camp to Foothill in the summer of 2003, when Golden State power forward Troy Murphy and hall-of-fame center Nate Thurmond made appearances. This year, starting small forward Mike Dunleavy is scheduled to address the campers.
The camp’s 12-member coaching staff features several former college standouts who have played pro ball overseas, such as Jono Metzger-Jones (University of the Pacific) and Kevin Butler (University of California at Riverside). There are also some current college players on staff, including a few from California State East Bay (formerly Hayward).
The Warriors Basketball Camp is scheduled 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, in the two gyms at Foothill. The college is located at 12345 El Monte Road.
The camp costs $255, and Addiego said players may register as late as Tuesday. To register or for more information, call (510) 986-5310 or log on to www.warriors.com.
