Day 2: Here We Go
We got to campus early, so we stopped at the bookstore on a scouting mission. Then I checked in. My team is the Celtics. Each camper received a black Duke Basketball T-shirt, his team assignment and station line (the group of people I participate in stations with; different from my team).
Since my dad popped for the Superfan Pack (you can look it up), I was directed to a table where I was given a signed picture from Coach K ("To Joseph: Always Try Your Best. Mike Krzyzewski") and Duke Basketball string bag. Pretty cool.
My dad stood in a long line to try and get me a final talk and picture with Coach K since this will be my last camp (didn’t work; the line was cut off with my dad on the wrong side). I kept watch near the Managers’ Stand in the hope of getting some Duke players’ autographs. I've had success with this in the past. Unfortunately, this time nobody came out or in.
To start off camp there was a video on Duke’s last season with a lot of the outstanding plays and emotion the team played with. It was a great season with what they went through.
Coach Chris Spatola reflected on that and then went over some camp rules and restrictions. He talked about how all 700 of us were one team this week and that we need to work together and show enthusiasm throughout camp so everyone gets feel of being in a high-caliber program like Duke. Coach Spatola introduced Coach Capel, who talked about how he was in our shoes when he was young. Over the years I have kind of realized how crazy it is that some Duke alumni went to this camp and did most of the same stuff I am doing now.
When Coach Capel was done Coach K took over. We saw another video that showed a lot of highlights from his five Duke NCAA championship teams and USA Basketball teams, which includes two Olympic gold medal winners. It is incredible what Coach K has accomplished.
When the video was over, Coach K talked about what's important while being at the camp. He included some humor about basic stuff like taking a shower when you’re done with your camp day. He said nobody will want to talk to you if you stink, which is true, of course, but it was funny to hear him say it.
Coach K also talked about how every one of his championship teams excelled at the three E’s: Effort, Enthusiasm and Energy. He talked about how key these three things were important for everyone to do on the team because it will make the players want to push harder and keep going. He said his teams operate as a group of brothers. He also talked about how he recruits good kids with good grades, takes into account how they act in the classroom and who they hang with out of the classroom.
Then we had our evaluation games. I introduced myself to my seven teammates. What amazed me is I am the oldest kid on my team, which I took to mean I should lead the team given my age and the experience I have had at camp (this is my fourth year in a row).
It’s amazing how many kids are from different parts of the country and world. One of my station members (team members and station members are different) is from Singapore. It was interesting talking about what it's like in that part of the world. This was all new to him.
After dinner we had our first set of stations, which for my group was agility — the hardest of the stations. It’s hard work, but a good workout to do after you return home. By the end of the station I was worn down and all I could think about is that it’s only day one and this was a half day. But I'm like this after most of my high school workouts, so I'm kind of used to it.
To wrap up the day, our speaker was Grayson Allen. He talked to us about chasing dreams and about how hard work pays off. He said when he was in high school, his coach met with every player and asked what college he wanted to play for. Grayson said Duke, and his coach kind of chuckled and told him that that's not a very realistic option. Grayson told us that that was his fuel. He wanted to be the hardest working guy on the team. He would be the first person to show up for practice and the last to leave. Basically, going the extra mile and pushing himself to the max.
It certainly has paid off. Look where he is now. Duke. A starter. A national champion.
Sunday is the first full day of camp, which includes my first two games. I am looking forward to getting to know my station and teammates better.