Basketball Academy The Only Way To Development In Nigeria, Africa… Ganon Baker

…..Over 250 coaches, players feature in SRAP basketball clinic

American Basketball coach, Ganon Baker believes building a Basketball Academy in Nigeria would greatly enhance the development of the sport in the country and Africa, and would put in his best in teaching the kids how to win in life and win in Basketball that may change their lives in a good way.

Baker, who in conjunction with SRAP, is organising a Basketball clinic for coaches and players that has over 250 coaches and players at the Indoor Hall, Package B, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, said today that the academy if actualised, would serve as a training centre for Nigeria and African youngsters.

The 50-year old American was enthusiastic about the eagerness of the players he took on the first training session in the morning, and said, “Nigeria have 100% chances of measuring at par with the United States of America. Look at the number of the NBA players in the last 10 years, some of them are Nigerians and Nigeria stands a good chance of levelling up with the US. Being a good player depends on the coach, parents and players. If you have good coaches, you will have good players; if you don’t have good players perhaps the coaches are not giving out the right information. My experience so far in Europe and around the world that I have been is that if you give them (players) the right information, they’ll excel”.

He said he has seen a lot of talents, but they are unpolished, they are inexperience and nobody may recon with them but one day they could be world champions.

“I’ve seen a lot of talents, but they’re unpolished, they’re inexperience, but one day, they could be world champions. I feel great working with these enthusiastic talents. Have worked with some of the world’s greats when they were raw talents like I’m seeing here (Abuja). After working together on the courts, will give them formula and they go home and work with it, if the players are willing to learn. These talents I’ve seen here are very eager and willing to learn”, thus declared Ganon Baker.

According to him, having good players depends on the coaches, parents and players. “If you have good coaches, you will have good players; if you don’t have good players perhaps the coaches are not giving out the right information. My experience so far in Europe and around the world is that if you give them (players) the right information, they’re ready to excel”.

He was however emphatic when he said that having a continuous coaching programme depends on the availability of resources. “It involves a lot of resources, my time is very viable. I would like to come around often to sacrifice for the development of the game of basketball in Nigeria, but it will cost a lot. Would like to have a programme that could bring in more coaches, sports psychologists, trainers and would like to build a Basketball Academy not different from what you see in Australia so that kids could get more experience”.

Relindis Mbu, the chief executive officer SRAP said afterwards that the aim of the organisation was to ensure rolling out Zero-To-Pro curriculum to bridge the tactical gap in basketball training and development; a development that narrow its search to Baker whom she believes could provide the solution