Eyeballs popped out of their sockets. Jaws hit the floor and fingers rudely pointed. A soft murmur of “Steve…Steve…Steve” undulated through the crowd of rapt faces. Arguably the best point guard in the NBA, homegrown Steve Nash, held court at the Vince Carter Youth Basketball Camp at U of T in mid August.
Standing in for an absent Vince Carter, who was away training with the U.S. Olympic qualifying team in preparation for the FIBA Tournament of the Americas, Nash helped pick up the slack by fielding four Q & A sessions to a total of 700 campers during the day. The Victoria-born point guard for the Dallas Mavericks was in Toronto training with Canada’s national team.
Carter’s last minute selection to the Olympic qualifying team, and his acceptance, meant a frantic week of rescheduling for Raptors management. This marks the first time in four years that Vince has missed a single day of camp. Make that the first time ever, and it prompted Dave Defreitas, the manager of community relations at the Raptors, to describe the camp of 2003 as “the most challenging year we’ve had.”
With the lack of a high-profile NBA star, the camp’s stock suddenly plummeted. For many campers, especially those returning for a second or third year, the main attraction is the hands-on presence of the Raptors star. But enrolment was full and camp ready to go when the U.S came knocking on Vince’s door.
After unsuccessfully trying to get one of Carter’s teammates to take his spot, the powers that be turned to Nash as the next logical replacement. “The way the NBA works,” says Defreitas, “you can never 100 per cent secure somebody. Players, for whatever reason, might not be able to show up. Vince knew Steve was in town. He knew Steve was a reliable person.”
Raptors general manager Glen Grunwald, who held a press conference at the camp, put it differently. Steve is fulfilling his obligations as a role model,” he said. Nash, a Canadian favorite, did not disappoint.
He wielded his status as role model and icon skillfully, urging the campers to study hard and take advantage of the academic opportunities offered in high school and college; something he claims he regretfully overlooked in favour of basketball.
His own late start at basketball also served as inspirational fodder for the ball-wielding youngsters. To one 11-year-old he jokingly encouraged “you’ve got a two year head start on me.” Nash did not start playing basketball until he was 13.
Another change to this year’s camp was the addition of an outside title sponsor. Forester’s, a financial services company, has come to the table with cash contributions and a plethora of volunteers. With their help, 350 kids were able to attend the camp on scholarship. First time coach Sean Rowland believes that the scholarships reached those kids “who might not have a chance [to attend] ever again.”
Attendance at the camp may not be as limited for Steve Nash. Now that Team U.S.A. is guaranteed a spot in next summer’s Olympic Games in Athens, Carter might need help covering his summer duties in 2004. The Canadians, however, failed to secure one of the top three berths Sunday in San Juan at the Olympic qualifying tournament. They lost the bronze medal game by a disappointing 13 points to Puerto Rico. The final score was 79-66.
