One by one, many of 85 girls shot their hands up in the air,
hoping UCLA women’s basketball coach Kathy Olivier would call
on them.
As each one listened to the advice given by the women’s
basketball players and coaching staff, it was apparent she wanted
to come away with something positive from the annual summer UCLA
girls’ basketball camp.
The camp, which began last Monday and ran through July 8, gave
girls ages 6-14 the opportunity to learn and improve basketball
skills.
“For many of these kids, the highlight of their summer is
getting to come down here and have a connection with the program
and the players,” said Theon Carrier, assistant coach and
director of the camp. “At this stage we want the kids to have
fun and get better as well.”
During the event the Bruin players become coaches and teach the
girls the fundamentals of basketball at an accelerated pace.
Drills focus on agility, footwork and offensive and defensive
sets.
Many of the players say getting to spend their summer passing on
their knowledge to the campers is extremely rewarding.
“I like to see the joy on their faces and getting all
those hugs,” junior Nikki Blue said. “I remember what
it was like to be their age not being strong enough so I had to
shoot with two hands. But, I told these girls to keep working at it
and don’t give up.”
This day camp is the second of two day camps that the Bruins
host during the summer.
A third camp, hosted by Bruins,with overnight stays will be held
from July 31 to August 3 and draws from girls ages 9 to 18.
Olivier has seen many of her current players ““ including
Shaina Zaida, Noelle Quinn, Gennifer Arranaga, Consuelo Lezcano and
Ortal Orenv ““ go through the UCLA camp.
“It’s great to see young talent come through the
program,” Olivier said.
“I love working with the kids. They love to visit with the
players, and the players are like role models to them.”
Players and former campers Quinn and Zaida said being on the
other end of the spectrum as a coach seems somewhat strange.
“I used to look up to all the players that coached me when
I was a camper, but now they look up to me and learn from
me,” Zaida said.
“When I was a camper I thought it was easy to be the
coach, but it’s hard because I have to deal with all the
different personalities,” Quinn said.
“I can’t believe how these kids grow up so quickly
from the first day to the last day.
Throughout the camp the coaches and staff members practiced
positive reinforcement by giving words of encouragement and
teaching all of them how to increase their skill level on the
courts.
The camp became a bonding experience for the players. It also
allowed the players to serve the community.
Although the event was not mandatory for the players, the
majority of the team played an active role in coaching this
summer.
Carrier said that the players’ taking time out of their
schedule to help the girls speaks volumes for the character of the
UCLA women’s basketball program.
“These girls are more than just about basketball,”
she said. “They are good enough to come to my home and for me
to introduce them as family.”