Quartet selected for US trip
Four Bermudians have been selected by NBA coaches for the Digicel Jumpstart Experience in the United States before Christmas.
Caelin Peters, 14, Jorel Smith, 15, Kobie Reid, 15, and Ishan-Nae Smith, 16, were selected from eight Caribbean countries that attended a three-day camp in the British Virgin Islands last week.
They will make up half of the total number of players that will travel to the US.
“This is a huge opportunity and chance to get more exposure and to strengthen my skills as a player,” Reid said.
“I’m looking forward to the experience and the atmosphere, meeting new people and working with the NBA coaches.
“At the camp I enjoyed meeting people from different cultures and playing against those different cultural styles and adjusting so it fitted into my game.”
Smith said her selection meant a lot as not many girls on the island get to experience such as exciting opportunity.
“Not very many girls in Bermudian get to experience what I did and I am looking forward to seeing an NBA game for the first time,” she said.
For Peters it is a case of second time lucky, after he missed out on making the final cut last year.
“As I was at the Elite camp last year in Trinidad it means a lot to be selected this year,” he said. “I felt I was really close then and I have worked hard since.
“I liked how everyone was working hard and we all had intense schemes. Everyone was very passionate about the camp and I went out to do my best.
“I can’t wait to see the talent in New York, in those high school teams we will play as well at going to see the Knicks and the Nets.”
Bermudian Siyaunne Hall, 16, won the female free throw award at last week’s camp.