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An elevating appearance
BY Kevin Hageland Staff Writer
Schimelpfenig Middle School was filled with hundreds of people Wednesday morning; but one stood out above the rest.
That one was DeSagana Diop.
The 6-foot-11 Dallas Mavericks center was on hand to speak to the kids attending the 19th Annual Premier Basketball Camp.
Diop started his day at the camp, which is open to boys and girls ages 6-14, by taking pictures with the kids, although at least one of the counselors added that getting his picture taken with Diop was going to be the highlight of his day.
But seeing Diop at the Premier Basketball Camp shouldn’t come as a surprise to those familiar with the organization as the list of NBA players that have appeared reads like a veritable “who’s who” of the NBA’s past, present and future.
Former appearing pros include: Scottie Pippen, Karl Malone, Jerry Stackhouse, Elton Brand, T.J. Ford, Devin Harris and Avery Johnson. In addition to Diop, recently resigned Maverick Devean George was at Schimelpfenig on Tuesday.
Although having NBA players appear is a nice bonus, Camp Administrator Mike Welch says that isn’t what the camps are all about.
“It can be hard for kids to get up close and personal with the pros, so I think that adds some flavor to the camp,” he said. “But the success our camps have had is really based on the counselors. We find coaches from across the Metroplex and they teach the kids about structure and fundamentals.”
Although Welch was also quick to boast that, “No other camp in the country has the kind of pro appearances we do.”
Denton Ryan Head Coach Bryce Overstreet is heading up the camp this year, but previous instructors include former Plano East Head Coach Steve Adair.
On Wednesday though, it was all about Diop as following the photos he took part in a question and answer session with the children. But the Mavericks center didn’t expect to get bombarded with in-depth NBA questions.
“Most of the questions aren’t even about the Mavericks,” Diop said. “Usually they just want to know what kind of car I drive or if I have a girlfriend.”
And indeed the children from throughout the Metroplex asked questions on a variety of different topics. Diop said he is 6-foot-11, but at times wishes he was 7-foot-3. The eighth pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, originally taken by the Cleveland Cavaliers, said Tim Duncan is the toughest player to defend, and that he didn’t begin playing basketball until the age of 15. Diop, who has been with the Mavericks for two seasons, played soccer before taking up basketball.
Diop wears a size 17 shoe and said his dream team would include himself, LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash and Kevin Garnett. After completion of the Q&A, Diop played knockout and one-on-one against the kids.
The first game of one-on-one was between the Mavericks center and Sam Tecklenberg, a 10-year-old who attends Hughston Elementary. Diop showed no mercy against his young counterpart, winning 3-0.
“I’m usually the tallest player on my team, so I’m not used to this,” Tecklenberg said. “[Diop] rejected me several times.”
Tecklenberg was quick to point out though that he had beaten George in knockout the day before. And while playing with the pros was fun for the Plano youngster, he took something more important away from the appearances.
“Both guys said that if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything,” he said. “I believe that, especially since I really want to be a basketball player.”
Tecklenberg said he was having fun at the camp and was already hoping to come back next year. A more seasoned participant in the Premier Basketball Camp was Oliver Plott, an 11-year-old who is about to begin schooling at Schimelpfenig.
Plott has been at the camps for the last few years and said everyone loves to see the pros appear.
“They inspire everybody by what they tell us,” he said. “Devean told us the most important thing we could do is dream big.”
When the pros aren’t around, Plott said the campers take part in a variety of drills and play 3-on-3 or 5-on-5 games. During his time at the camp this week, Plott said he has learned, “That it’s best to move the ball around, not just shoot the ball when you get it.”
And that is the type of fundamental play that Welch, who is no stranger to Plano, wants the camp to represent. Welch started working at Armstrong Middle School in 1981, and was a part of the Shepton High School opening in 1985.
And although Diop had to depart shortly after finishing one-on-one play, he appeared to have enjoyed himself as much as the children in attendance.
“You never know, but I like to think that I might have helped make a kid’s life better,” Diop said. “And if not, it’s always nice to be able to help out in the community.”
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