The NBA comes to Bermuda.

Well, almost.

Freddie Evans' summer basketball camp should have a distinct NBA flavour with several former players, now in coaching capacities, set to come to the Island in aid of local youth.

While many are not confirmed Evans has recruited a number of established names to instruct during the camp, which continues to grow in its third year.

Former Chicago Bulls sharp-shooter Craig Hodges leads the list of coaches, along with former Detroit Pistons and New Jersey Nets coach Chuck Daly, now a television analyst.

Also in the line-up are the likes of current New Jersey head coach Butch Beard, Bulls assistant J.C. Clemens, former Denver Nugget guard T.R. Dunn and a slew of college and prep school coaches.

"We're looking to expand and do better than ever,'' said Evans, who besides his duties as a school teacher, also doubles as president of the Bermuda Basketball Association.

"We're teaching basketball, skills and drills and doing it in an atmosphere where it's fun.

"It allows kids from different backgrounds to come together and enjoy a team sport and get along. There's a lot of analogy we can draw and compare basketball to life.'' Evans explained that basketball was growing rapidly among both young and old and this camp would aid in facilitating this growth. Already progress had been made with a few youngsters garnering scholarships to schools abroad.

"I'm trying to package these kids for school,'' said Evans. "Our league is not big enough to do that, so we have to get the coaches here and they can go back and spread the word that there is some viable talent in Bermuda.

"It's a double-edged sword. I'm bringing in people who I know can teach the game and also trying to convince them that I've got players here who can play the game at the level that is good enough for college basketball and to earn themselves an education from basketball.'' Evans expects over 200 children to register for the programme.

The camp, which is open to boys and girls aged 10-18 will take place from July 17-21, with registration scheduled for April 1 between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Whitney Institute office.

The cost is $120 for those who register early, while an additional $20 will be charged to those signing up late.

Twisters continued their unbeaten season and earned the right to contest the final of the Bermuda Basketball Association Winter League play-offs after dispatching Bank of Bermuda at the weekend.

Kit Mueller and Kevin Barrett combined for 45 points, including five three-pointers, to lead the regular season champions to a 92-62 rout of the Bank.

The other final spot will be decided after Fenton's Drive face Bank of Bermuda.

Drive kept their prospects alive through a shock 66-52 defeat of Dream Team, as Sullivan Phillips tallied 19 points.

In women's action Meyer's Flyers defeated Action World Travel 39-34.

Chuck Daly