2017 Top 100 Camp Coverage, Days 1-3

2017, Photos, Videos

Charlottesville, Va. — This week, shown all around the digital screen, spanning across the edge of the second level of the John Paul Jones Arena, are the names of some of the best players in the NBA. Five are Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson, and Warriors’ Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson.

They’re all meant to be motivation for the NBA’s future stars, as they literally look up to those who came before them at the 24th annual NBPA Top 100 Camp for the country’s best high school basketball players.

Out of the top 100 players, seven are international from Angola, Argentina, Lithuania, Nigeria, Republic of Georgia and Serbia. Also, some campers are sons of former NBA players, including Rod Strickland’s son, Tai (guard; class of 2018), NBPA career development counselor Bobby Simmons’ son, Bakari (guard; class of 2018), and Greg Anthony’s son, Cole (guard; class of 2019).

Anthony, after the first three days of the camp, is second in scoring (14.8 pgg) and dishing (4.5). Forward Simisola Shittu (class of 2018) is the leading scorer (21.0 ppg) and rebounder (8.0).

What really separates the Top 100 Camp is it features a unique convergence of NBA players and top high school standouts, both individually and collectively going through professional development. For the NBA players, they’re involved in the NBPA’s coaching program and Sportscaster U. graduate broadcasting program to facilitate their future careers off the court, and their knowledge is shared directly with the campers.

The coaches include current players Aaron Brooks, John Lucas III, Rajon Rondo, Damjan Rudez, Jason Terry and Beno Udrih, and former players Andre Barrett, Ricky Davis, Ryan Gomes, Gani Lawal, Lee Nailon, Mamadou Ndiaye, Milt Palacio, Johan Petro, Sean Singletary, Bruno Sundov, Jahidi White and Luke Zeller. The group also has former WNBA player Chasity Melvin. And the broadcasters include current players Kyle O’Quinn and Jason Smith.

In addition to on the court, the campers go through an educational component throughout the week, learning about important lifestyle and business decisions. Two notable speakers were former NBA players Clark Kellogg (now a CBS studio analyst) and John Lucas II (now the head of player development for the Houston Rockets). The NBPA also hosts a program for the campers’ parents to help guide their sons as they start their journey to the NBA.

As the Top 100 Camp slogan says, “This is where it all begins!”

Below is a recap inside the first three days of the camp. In order, the photos (by Davide De Pas Pictures) document the camper introductions, game action and the different NBPA programs (coaching, broadcasting and parent). Further below, check out the video segments that highlight the different aspects of the camp.

 

DAY 1

 

DAY 2

 

DAY 3