Gearing up for the big challenge

Peter Ng (in orange) with all the students who participated

in the coaching clinic at SJK(C) TamanConnaught.

Seeking inspiration from Oklahoma City Thunder basketball player Kevin Wayne Durant, Yeow Shern Hong wanted to train harder and play like his favourite NBA star.

The 15-year old SMK Taman Desa student said he wanted to hone his basic basketball skills during an AND1 3x3 Streetball Challenge coaching clinic at SJK(C) Taman Connaught, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

“I am not very sure in which area I am lacking but I managed to pick up several tips on ball handling.

“Durant has a unique style while playing in the NBA and I always like to watch him play.

“Every year, I participate in the AND1 3-on-3 because it is exciting and I like basketball,” he said.

Peter Ng showing the students the right way to do a chest pass.

The coaching clinic, headed by Peter Ng, who played for the national team, startedoff with simple warm-up exercises and basic ball-handling skills.

Participants were given several passing drills, such as the overhead and bounce passing, ball dribbling, basic layup shot as well as shooting drills.

Ng said AND1 3-on-3 is different from the normal basketball game as there was more body contact and players had to play in a smaller court.

“This is where the fundamentals are important especially ball handling skills. Basic knowledge such as dribbling, passing and the ability to land the ball in the basket is important during the game,” he said.

A series of coaching clinic will be held throughout Malaysia prior to the AND1 Streetball 2014 on Nov 23 at Berjaya Times Square.

A student going for a lay-up shot during the

coaching clinic session.

Aside from promoting the event, AND1 participants will benefit from the coaching clinic with experienced basketball players sharing some tips and skills of the games.

The first 100 teams to register will also receive a limited edition LA Lakers basketball in addition to the Spalding ball for each team and AND1 jersey for each player.

There will be several highlights, including a search for the top three streetballers, the best shooter, a slam dunk competition as well as lucky draws.

For details, latest news, entry forms as well as rules and regulations, visitwww.and1malaysia.blogspot.com