Basketball 101 anyone?

We have done our fair share of covering youth basketball camps for Kings players so far this summer.  You’ve seen Jimmer bury 60-footers surrounded by kids wearing Get Jimmered shirts.  On Monday, Tyreke sat for an interview over at Hardwood Palace, while young campers toiled in the background.  Today, we have something different…sort of.

The Sacramento Kings are putting on a camp.  Not a camp for kids (well, maybe for the kid at heart).  But this is new and different, and although we shy away from shamelessly promoting things for the team we cover, this is some pretty cool stuff.

Have you ever wanted to know more about basketball?  Do the subtle nuances of the pick and roll escape you?  Have you ever watched film of college players like John Wallace and thought to yourself, “that guy is going to be a star?”  Well, the Kings have a solution.

Over the next six weeks, the Kings have paired with California Family Fitness (CalFit) to run a series of basketball 101 courses beginning this evening from 6-8 pm in Natomas.  What makes these courses so interesting?  Basketball Strategy will be taught by Head Coach Paul Westphal, Director of Player Personel Jerry Reynolds, Kings Regional Scout/Player Development Coach Bobby Jackson and Kings Assistant General Manager Shareef Abdur-Rahim.  Kings Advance Scout Bubba Burrage and Kings Video Coordinator Todd Purves will talk scouting while Daniel Shapiro, Kings strength and conditioning coach takes on health and fitness.  Veteran WNBA and NCAA officials will be on hand to explain why it’s so hard to call a game correctly, leaving Jason Ross, Fat Lever and legendary voice of the Sacramento Kings, Gerry Gerould to educate the masses on the art of broadcasting.

Here is the remaining schedule after tonight:

• Aug. 10–Folsom CalFit (700 Oak Avenue Pkwy.)
• Aug. 17–Carmichael/Arden CalFit (6314 Fair Oaks Blvd.)
• Aug. 24–Elk Grove CalFit (8569 Bond Rd.)
• Aug. 31–Roseville CalFit (5001 Foothills Blvd.)
• Sept. 7–Citrus Heights CalFit (7700 Sunrise Blvd.)

Who is invited?  Season ticket holders and CalFit members lucky enough to have their numbers drawn out of a hat…oh yeah, and maybe someone from Cowbell Kingdom.

Really?  Gerry Gerould giving a seminar on broadcasting?  I may have to sign up for a gym membership to hear that.