Shooting for glory on and off court

THE Jr NBA programme, presented by Dutch Lady, helps bring together some of the nation’s best young basketball players under the watchful eyes of ­experienced coaches, and puts them through fitness regimes and ­basketball drills crucial for them to succeed in the sport.
As this year’s programme gets underway, Phang Xin Ying and Sin Chun Kit, who were the programme’s MVPs (most valuable players) last year, share their ­experiences for those keen to join the programme.
Xin Ying picked up basketball at age seven and since then, has been competing in various basketball tournaments while ­juggling academic commitments.
She admitted that her days were quite hectic and tiring, but insisted that a minimum of two hours of ­training a day is a must.
“I urge newbies to fully absorb what is being taught during the programme,” Xin Ying said. “I started incorporating certain routines into my daily training sessions, and put more emphasis on being ­consistent in my performance.
“Participating in this programme increased my awareness towards details such as where my foot is pointing when I dribble, or if I ­lowered my body enough before taking a shot.
“Although it is often overlooked in fast-paced games like basketball, it is details like these that make a difference in your game.”
Chun Kit also follows a similar regime, training for two to three hours daily with his ­teammates.
“Through this programme, I found myself being more creative when executing a play,” he said. “My skills have also increased after being able to witness a live NBA game and the play style of players from other countries.
“I am reminded that I still have much room for improvement, which spurs my desire to continue practising and playing basketball.”
Chun Kit added that his mother showed her support by ­ensuring that he gets sufficient ­nutrition through healthy food.
Xin Ying agrees that diet certainly plays an important part in her training. She keeps a ­balanced diet comprising rice, meats, various vegetables, fruits, and two cups of milk every day, as milk is a great source of protein – perfect for muscle recovery after sport.
Chris Sumner, head coach of the Jr NBA programme, added: “We always remind young ­basketball players to have the right mindset and strong character.
“What determines most valuable? Is it being arguably the best all-around player in the game? 
“One thing is clear: it’s not about being a hotshot. There are people with tons of talent who were a liability to the group.
“No doubt that coaches are in favour of skilful ­players, however, the attitude that players carry on and off court plays a bigger role.
“Players, no matter how skilful they are, should be ­humble enough to commit their time to training consistently.”
Jr NBA Malaysia presented by Dutch Lady is currently looking for eight boys and eight girls from the ages of 10 to 14 years who will be crowned the 2017 Jr NBA Malaysia All-Stars this July.
For more, visit the official Jr NBA website or Facebook page.