BASKETBALL

Beijing Aoshen Basketball Clinic
Thursday, 29th November at Catholic High School

Video and Story by Mr Ian Chew, a teacher from Catholic High.

Beijing Aoshen star Sun Yue wowed the students of Catholic High with a series of dunks, including a 360 degrees dunk during a basketball clinic conducted by the Aoshen basketball team on Thursday, 29 November 2007.

Standing at an intimidating 2.06m, the point guard is also the 40th overall pick for NBA’s Los Angeles Laker’s team. He will be teaming up next season with Kobe Bryant. Imagine that! He also demonstrated the drills that NBA scouts look for when selecting players.

#1: Sprinting Drill

A player stands at the baseline and sprints at the word “go”. He has to execute the sprinting forwards, sliding sideways and running backwards around a set of 4 cones placed just outside the painted zone. This has to be done in both directions. All these must be done while looking in front all the time. Sun Yue’s record stands at an incredible 10.3s during a 2005 NBA scouting trial!

#2: 3-point Shooting Drill

Here the player runs criss-cross across the court and shoots as many balls as possible within a certain time limit.

#3: Jump Test

Standing above the board, the player jumps and tries to reach as high as he can on the glass.

#4: Wall Passing Drill

Here two balls must be used. The player passes the ball to himself using a wall as partner. He has to simultaneously pass while receiving the ball. He then switches to one-handed passing, utilising both hands as well.

#5: Dribbling Drill

Dribbling two balls at the same time with both hands, the player has to execute a series of dribbling techniques – same bounce, alternate bounce, behind the back and between the legs. A partner can stand at the other end indicating numbers with his fingers for the player to shout out.

#6: Stationary Dribbling Drill

This can be done while watching TV! The player sits on a chair and dribbles the ball with both hands using a variety of techniques.

Sun Yue then proceeded to thrill the students with a special one-on-one game with Catholic High 1.95m centre Khaw Yeong Wooi. He ended off with playing a full court 5 on 5 match with the students and signing some autographs.

“This is my last season with the Beijing Aoshen team and I hope to help them clinch the American Basketball Association title! We should do well this season, having finished 9th overall in our first year and 3rd last year,” said a determined Sun Yue after the clinic.

He was also impressed with the standards of basketball at Catholic High.

“The tall player (Khaw Yeong Wooi) is quite good! With more consistent and systematic training, he should have a bright future ahead of him,” he continued. Singapore’s weather, though was something else.

“The average temperatures are bearable, but the humidity levels take some getting used to!” he said with sweat pouring down his head after the day’s exertions.

To catch more of him, you can watch their upcoming matches at the Singapore Basketball Centre.