Adonal Foyle Summer Island Basketball Camps

Three years ago, it was simply a brainchild.

About 18 months ago, the plan was underway.

And just like that, the inaugural Adonal Foyle Island Basketball Camp, held back in Canouan, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, was a remarkable success.

The Golden State Warriors center, who was born and raised on the tiny Eastern Caribbean island, turned his dream into a reality July 29-30 when he returned to his roots -- along with a team of 15 volunteers -- to hold a two-day basketball camp for his people.

For a small island on which the two main sports are cricket and soccer, Adonal was able to generate great interest in basketball as players of all ages traveled by boat from neighboring islands for the event.

"I thought it was a really terrific event," Adonal said. "To have 150 people come to an inaugural camp, to have it go as smoothly as it did and to see the expression on the kids' faces after working under the hot sun from nine in the morning until three in the afternoon, is a testament to their incredible hunger to learn as well as their resiliency to stay on course and really do what it takes to be better and to learn something. I find that incredible."

Representatives from the St. Vincent government welcomed Adonal and his friends with open arms on the first day of camp. Among them was the honorable Edwin Snagg, Parliamentary Secretary in the Prime Minister's office.

"It is not only important to Canouan, but it's also important to St. Vincent and the Grenadines as a whole," Snagg said. "After all, this is a unitary state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and it is important that we have people who have made their mark in whatever field come back and share their expertise and the skills that they have learned with the children here in Canouan."

Also appearing at Adonal's camp was Terrance Olivare, Parliamentary representative of the Southern Grenadines. Olivare paid a visit to Adonal and his campers, and addressed them prior to the start of activities.

Despite the hot sun, some humidity and very little wind, aspiring island ballplayers stopped at nothing to feed their hunger by taking in the free lessons given by Adonal and company.

Also making the trip was Warriors teammate Erick Dampier, former Warriors assistant coach Clifford Ray and former Harlem Globetrotter Roy 'Zazu' Byrd.

The camp went without a hitch, with over 90 boys and girls under the age of 16 on the first day and over 50 players 16-and-up the second day. The camp consisted of two days worth of drill stations that included passing, ball handling, dribbling, post game and - Adonal's personal favorite - rebounding. Newly installed basketball rims and basketballs were also provided for the camp.

Towards the end of the camp, players were able to test out their skills by playing in scrimmages. Selected players were also rewarded with prizes for their excellence in certain categories, such as sportsmanship, scoring, rebounding, assists and blocked shots.

Campers were also astounded by a dazzling performance by Byrd, who spent five years as a Globetrotter. But the amazement was reciprocated as Byrd was taken by the beauty of Canouan and its natives.

"It's amazing to come to an island and help run a basketball camp," Byrd said. "You only see these islands in travel magazines or on the travel channel. But to actually be on the island and help teach kids is a feeling I can't describe to you. They really want to learn the game of basketball."

Dampier, who had never traveled to the Caribbean before, also enjoyed his time spent on the island.

"I thought it was a fun experience for me and for the kids," Dampier said. "Since I've never been here, this gave me a chance to come over here and work with these kids who are not really used to seeing NBA players other than on T.V. This is something good and it can only get better."

Ray, a member of the 1975 Warriors team that won its only NBA title, found the experience breathtaking and was amazed by how such a small island with little resources could make so much out of what it has.

"I am amazed that, for an island like Canouan, they have what they have," Ray said. "I think it's great. And as they go along with Adonal's help and what he is trying to do with this, I just think it's going to be a matter of time before they have al the facilities and all the equipment necessary to handle 200-300 kids at a time each week."

Nineteen-year-old Andel Alexander took the boat from Union Island to Canouan to take in the second day of Adonal's camp. He found the experience helpful and hopes to use the skills he learned for future activities.

"I came to learn more about basketball," Alexander said. "I play in all the tournaments. I wanted to learn to do better passes and better drills and I wanted to learn how to see (the court). I had fun. I think Adonal is great."

Despite his recent success with his program, Adonal doesn't expect to rest anytime soon. Along with his continued off-season training and preparation for the upcoming season, Adonal plans to immediately work on next year's basketball camp in hopes of making it a long-term plan.

"What I would like to see is that kids start getting a better sense of the sport," Adonal said. "There's kind of a bridge between some of the kids there and here (in the U.S.). I saw one kid that I thought may have the potential to play in the United States. I'd like to bring more coaches down so they can take a look at some of the kids there, and to potentially give them the opportunity to do what I have done and go beyond me."

"I don't expect miracles," Adonal added. "I know it's hard work. But for me, seeing those kids' faces tells me I am doing a great service to them. Hopefully, that can be something that will continue to help them understand the depths of their skill and develop knowledge gained from the people I bring around them and also make great strides academically. The ingredients are there for them to be great. And they need a path to that greatness.

- Chris Navalta for AFE

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