NY Liberty Basketball Academy Camp-A Court of Dreams for Youth
The NY Liberty Basketball Academy Camp for children from the ages of 7-17 years old was held at the Madison Square Garden Training Center, in Tarrytown, from Monday, July 25 to Friday, July 29.
Nearly 90 children participated in the Camp, which was led by Liberty legend Teresa Weatherspoon, who is presently the Director of Player Development and Liberty Academy.
Spoon, as she is affectionately known, was assisted by Liberty Director of Fan and Community Development Brett Tessler, Assistant Camp Director Julia Smith, Liberty guard Brittany Boyd, Liberty legends Kym Hampton and Sue Wicks and Liberty Academy Camp Coaches.
Along with Weatherspoon, the Liberty Camp staff provided these young aspiring athletes with an experience of a lifetime. Besides learning some valuable life-lessons, they were instructed in teamwork, sportsmanship, shooting, rebounding, dribbling and all facets of basketball. “This is our first camp in our wonderful facility. We have over 85 children and it has been amazing since day one to our last day watching our children progress,” Weatherspoon said.
Weatherspoon, a White Plains resident and a member of the original Liberty team, was appointed the Liberty’s first Director of Player Development in 2015. This year she is embracing her added role as Director of the Liberty Basketball Academy.
The four-time WNBA All-Star and inductee in the Liberty Ring of Honor even introduced the young campers to the 2016 USA Women’s Olympic Basketball Team, who were practicing at the MSG Training Facility on Saturday.
“I do not think there is another camp across the country that can say the Olympic Team walked through their camp and gave their children an uplifting wave or a handshake. This is very special to children who are dreaming of one day becoming an Olympian,” emotionally declared Weatherspoon.
The entire class of campers received Olympic style Medals for their participation and dedication to learning at the Liberty Basketball Academy Camp. Special awards were presented for displaying sportsmanship and teamwork and progressing in certain skills over the five-day Camp.
“I was here all five days and it was really fun. I learned how to work on my basketball skills and fundamentals, my dribbling, shooting and also how to work together as a team,” said Tamia Dimmie, an eighth grader from Sleepy Hollow High School, who was presented the Western Division Becky Hammon Playmaker Award.
On Friday, at the conclusion of the Camp, Weatherspoon thanked the participants, staff, coaches and parents for assisting in making this year’s Liberty Basketball Academy Camp a success. Then she turned and said aloud, “and she makes it all possible,” as Spoon gestured to thank Kristin Bernert, Senior VP Business & Basketball Operations for the NY Liberty.
