Celtics coach eyeing Pinoy for LeBron cage camp

Boston Celtics assistant coach Kevin Eastman is looking to enlist the first Filipino cager for the LeBron James Skills Academy, the culminating camp of a five-leg annual summer series organized by Nike for outstanding under-18 high school players in Akron, Ohio.

Filipino basketball coach Eric Banes yesterday confirmed Eastman’s plan. Banes attended the LeBron camp early this month as Eastman’s VIP guest. He was in the US for five weeks to participate in five workshops, earning in the process a license as a professional member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association based in Colorado Springs.

Last year, Eastman brought in two Taiwanese prospects for the inaugural LeBron camp. He recruited 7-2 Zhang Dayu of China to join 71 others in the intensive five-day program this summer.

Banes, a former La Salle assistant coach under Franz Pumaren, said the LeBron camp assembled the top prep stars to work in front of major college coaches, recruiters and even NBA scouts. James, Chris Paul and O. J. Mayo played with the high school standouts in scrimmages while college coaches like Mike Krzyzewski of Duke, John Calipari of Memphis, Jim Calhoun of Connecticut and Lute Olson of Arizona watched from the stands.

Banes said he intends to set up a similar program in Manila with Eastman or his top assistants Gannon Baker and Alan Stein supervising the workouts to simulate the LeBron camp.

“I spoke with Kevin about bringing in a Filipino and he’s excited,” said Banes. “My dream is to find the first Filipino to join the LeBron camp where he can be scouted by top college coaches. This will open doors for more Filipinos to be exposed to US skills training. I think a top Filipino point guard will be able to impress in the camp. The chances of a wingman or a center to excel against American players are slim.”

Banes spent over $15,000 of his own money to invest in the basketball education and said it was worth every cent.

In his first stop, Banes spent three days with crack strength and conditioning coach Mike Boyle in Winchester, Massachusetts. Then, Banes attended a four-day program under Dr. Lawrence Armstrong, head of Gatorade research and development, at the University of Connecticut. The third leg was a three-day course under Celtics strength and conditioning coach Walter Norton at the Institute of Performance and Fitness in Andover, Massachusetts. Next, Banes went to Steve Nash’s three-day skills camp for point guards in New Jersey. Finally, he attended the LeBron camp as one of only two invited observers.

It was Banes’ third immersion trip to the US. He initially went in 1999 and enrolled in a two-week training program under coach Bobby Knight at Indiana. Last year, Banes took up a one-week mentorship course at Athletes Performance under Phoenix Suns conditioning consultant Nick Winkelman and another week of exposure to individualized training in Carson City. He also flew to Boston for a meeting with Eastman.

“I’m lucky that Kevin invited me to observe the LeBron camp,” he said. “I took down notes, learned all there is know about his training modules and saw the application of new techniques in skills development related to dribbling, movement without the ball in offense and defense, shooting, passing and strength and conditioning. I was also exposed to restoration and recovery from injuries, protection from injuries and proper nutrition including the timing for the intake of fluids.”

Banes said during the LeBron camp, he met Akron University assistant athletic trainer Michael Macatangay, a Filipino who migrated to the US in 1986. Both Banes and Macatangay are San Beda College graduates. Banes said Macatangay offered to assist in  bringing over a Filipino for the camp.

Each year, four legs precede the LeBron camp in the Nike positional skills academies. The first is Amare Stoudemire’s camp for 20 high school big men. The second is Paul Pierce’s camp for 20 high school wing guards. The third is Nash’s camp for 20 high school point guards. The fourth is Vince Carter’s camp for 20 high school wing forwards. The 80 prepsters from the four legs are then invited to the LeBron camp.

Eastman is Nike basketball’s national director for skills development and conceptualized the skills academy summer series for elite youth.

Banes, 40, is now engaged in training 18 high school basketball players with an age range of six to 19 at the Palms Country Club in Alabang. He is also working with four golfers, from 15 to 57 years old, aiming to improve their yardage.

Banes said he hopes to organize a Manila camp with former PBA player Mon Jose, using Eastman’s modules.

“If there’s a sponsor out there willing to invest in the program, I’m sure we could invite Kevin and his staff to come over,” said Banes. “That would guarantee at least one Filipino player to go to the LeBron camp and get him the chance of a lifetime to be recruited into a US Division I school.”

(Note:  Interested parties may contact Banes at cell number 0917-406-1987.)