Happy Holidays from NY2LA Sports
By Antonio Curro - NY2LA Sports
December 24, 2007
Happy holidays to you and yours this season. I just wanted to take this time to thank everyone for their support of our efforts the past few years. The relationships and/or friendships that have been built are a major reason for the success of NY2LA Sports and our events.
While the grassroots and/or club basketball side has been a source of contention for the "powers that be" or the people who aren't able to understand or find ways to be a part of it, it is easily one of the most valuable parts of basketball in our country. Every spring and summer thousands of prospects take the court in various gyms at various tournaments to play the game of basketball and pursue their dreams. Years ago many of these same kids sat the benches on high school teams and did not get opportunities that they now received.
As a result kids of all ages have been exposed to prospects and basketball from all different areas of the country and experienced travel, vacations, and high quality events and exposure from various resources and individuals. This has allowed hundreds of players opportunities to pursue basketball at the collegiate and professional level that they may never have had an opportunity to receive.
While there are good parts and bad parts of everything, for the most part the camps, tournaments, recruiting sites, etc. that have popped up and/or continued to grow the past few years have been an excellent source of both competition and exposure on a regional and national level, something that was once limited to only the very elite prospects in the country. This has allowed both children and coaches alike an opportunity to meet new challenges, experience new parts of the country, and also compete against the best of the best time and time again. The end result is by far more exposure, competition, and memories for many involved.
The future of basketball in America lies with positive and competitive experiences at both the high school and grassroots level. Each has a specific purpose and each is important in and of itself in both the development of children as young men and prospects. As time moves forward I hope that the relationship between the two can continue to grow and prosper because in the end, the number one priority is what is in the best interests of the kids both short term and long term.
Increased exposure, travel, and competition is positive if utilized properly and done the right way. While the ranking of players at the high school and middle school ages can be a slippery slope at times, if enough care, teaching, and maturity is utilized when doing those things, both can be equally positive. We here identify prospects at the middle school levels and while some may disagree with that notion, through the support of many of you and the hard work of the NY2LA Sports staff, we've been able to identify a number of prospects at both the high school and middle school levels as one's to watch and in turn many have landed on national boards across the country. Again, some may not agree with that but in our opinion and most importantly my opinion, I believe a child in the 6th grade level deserves the same attention, chance, exposure, or publicity as that in the high school level because he or she is equally important to the entire process.
A Brandon Jennings gets a ton of attention as a high school star, but he was once a 6th grader as well. They play hard regardless of the grade and as such they deserve the same attention. Middle school players hurt after a loss just like high school ones do and they get excited the same way high school ones do after a victory. The point is kids at all ages are deserving of the same quality of treatment, exposure, and attention because they are all an equally important part of the entire basketball world.
The young people are our future both in terms of prospects but also as the future of our country and we value them the same as we do the high school stars and will continue to work just as hard for them in 2008 and beyond. The teaching, development, and identification, and recognition of players at 5th grade, 6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade, 9th grade, 10th grade, 11th grade, and 12 grade is equally important as is the same early on. It is not just important at the high school level to generate readers for a website or due to politics of governing bodies and the like. I find it humorous that some would like to make comments about the ranking of players at younger levels or criticize an article about a player in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade. The last time I checked a player in 6th grade puts his jersey on the same as those in 11th grade and they play just as hard and want to win or compete just as much. The hotel bills related to travel cost just as much, tournament entry fees are the same, the rims are 10 feet high, and the coaches and volunteers work just as hard. Thus, those kids and their families deserve the same amount of attention, care, value, and exposure at the middle school level as they do at the high school level.
The difference is that at the middle school level it takes more hours, more work, and may not be as glamorous to some because they have to do more driving, more leg work, and spend more attention talking with the younger players. It's much easier at the high school level because the talent is more refined and it's more glamorous so to speak with the college coaches around and things of that nature. Personally I am very proud of the work we've been able to do in a short period of time at both the middle school and high school levels as large numbers of kids at each level have received attention and exposure due to their participation in our events. More importantly, I am very proud that we have become part of the development of the future of our country both on and off the basketball court at all ages and I wish there were more hours in the day were we could do more.
The kids in our country at all ages represent our future and they are easily the most valuable gift we have as adults and as a country. It is important for each of them to be valued and taught as much as possible and I thank many of you for giving both myself and NY2LA Sports the opportunity to do that time and time again. At times some may not agree with a ranking, an article, etc. but understand that the teaching, exposure, and development of your kids as responsible young men and in addition quality young players at every age level is our goal each and every time out. We aim to do that through high quality safe and competitive camps, tournaments, showcases, and events time and time again. While mistakes will be made at times, the goal and our desires will never change in that regard as we strive to positively interact and help build the future leaders and talent in our country, both on and off the court.
Thank you for your support in 2007 and God Bless you and yours this holiday season.
Sincerely,
Antonio Curro
NY2LA Sports
E-mail us at info@ny2lasports.com