Overseas Thoughts from 2017 Deng Camp Attendees

This past Summer’s Russell Hoops tour to Dallas, USA featured 3 Deng Camp ‘17 attendees, Robin Bedford (Barking Abbey), Jon St. Hilaire (Barking Abbey) and Enoch Quarcoo (BHASVIC). It was an eye-opening experience for these young men, and a few months later when the dust had settled we asked the boys to reflect on their experiences in the USA, which can be found below.

Robin Bedford – Barking Abbey (class of ‘18)

What was the difference in the competition between the UK and US?

The difference in competition was very clear immediately. As soon as we played our first scrimmage, it really opened my eyes. We were playing an average team in the US, but it was obvious that every player on the team could play. This is completely different to the UK, because you rarely see a full team that can play, other than national team or academies. In addition, the difference in competitiveness was crazy. Coming out of the UK, I have never played in such a large-scale competition, where college coaches are watching every game. However, it was as if every player on court was fighting with everything they had. This really opened my eyes in terms of how many people I am competing against. It is like a completely new world.

How do you feel the experience helped you as a player?

The experience really helped me develop as a player in terms of exposing me, as well as different teaching points and coaching I received whilst out there. It also helped me think about how I am going to distinguish myself as a point guard, to help me stand out in front of other players. This is something I had never really thought of before.

What was the best thing about the overseas experience?

The best part of being overseas was the environment. Being in a new country and playing in such a large-scale tournament, in front of hundreds of coaches was amazing. An experience that I am blessed to be a part of, and something that really motivates me to keep improving.

What was the most challenging aspect of the trip?

The most challenging aspect of the trip was coming to terms with the amount of players that are fighting for the same goal as me. Living in the UK, Basketball is a very small circle, in which for the most part everyone knows everyone. However, travelling to the US was crazy. It really opened my eyes to the amount of work I need to put in, to reach my ultimate goal.

What advice would you give to anyone going on an overseas basketball tour?

For anyone going on an overseas basketball tour, my advice would be to live in the moment and do not take anything for granted. There is not enough time for you to be nervous or take time off. If you have travelled all this way, leave everything on the table. You have nothing to lose, everything to gain!

What are your basketball aspirations?

My Basketball aspirations are to gain a full scholarship to a university in America. This has been my main goal ever since beginning my basketball journey. This would help set my future up, as a scholarship would help me achieve a degree in my academics. However, if this is not achievable then I just want to push basketball as far as I can, allowing it to give me different experiences.

Jon St. Hilaire – Barking Abbey (class of ‘18)

What was the difference in competition between the UK and the US?

I’d have to say the fact that everyone out there wants it, I mean really wants it. From the starting 5 to the 12th man on the bench, they can all ball and you can tell they all put in crazy amounts of work. They’re also really athletic!

How do you feel the experience helped you as a player?

It completely opened up my eyes and made me realise that there are so many people out here trying to reach the same goal as I am, and if I really want it then I have to work 100x harder than I thought I already was. Also being the captain and bringing everybody on the team together helped me improve my leadership skills.

What was the best thing about the overseas experience?

I’d have to say the bond that everyone had when leaving Texas was my favourite thing about the experience, having gone across the world with a group of ‘strangers’ to then leave as brothers has been my favourite thing about every tour I’ve been on so far, and I’d most likely give the same answer each year.

What was the most challenging aspect of the trip?

I’d have to say being away from my normal everyday life back at home, but at the same time it wasn’t even that difficult because I was having so much fun out there.

What advice would you give to anyone going on an overseas basketball tour?

Bring enough socks! And be prepared to work hard, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity you’ve got to get the most out of it that you possibly can.

What are your basketball aspirations?

I want to make the league.

Enoch Quarcoo – BHASVIC (class of ‘18)

What was the difference in the competition between the UK and US?

The competition and intensity levels in the US were so much higher. Every pass, dribble or cut was done at 100% from 0 to 40 minutes, and any lapse in concentration was always pounced upon. Competing in the training workshop with the Nike Elite coach made me realise how skilled and well drilled these players must be to participate in such training session every single day. It’s one thing to know how to dribble the ball, but it’s another thing to know to do it with defenders moving at what feels like 100 mph. They were able to match us for accuracy and execution, but the speed in which they went about their actions was really what I found difficult to cope with.

How do you feel the experience helped you as a player?

As a player, I think I brought back with me the intensity and focus needed for games in training sessions. This allowed me to see a massive change in my game as I was working on in-game shots in training, so that when I got to games, I wasn’t nervous or unprepared to take those shots I had practiced. Also training at such intensities allowed me to improve my fitness, which improved my overall game as I was able to be an efficient scorer throughout the whole game, not just the opening minutes where I felt ‘fresh’.

What was the best thing about the overseas experience?

I thoroughly loved my experience in America. The company I was associated with made that trip so enjoyable, as well as the two coaches Ben and Tom who really demonstrated their joy and passion for the game both on and off the court. Honestly the best experience was just being out there, seeing and playing out in America was so eye-opening and every minute I spent on the court gave me an insight into what I need to improve to get out there again.

What was the most challenging aspect of the trip?

One of the most challenging parts of the trip I found was playing with new players I had never met before. Initially I found it quite difficult to find my shot or to score whilst playing in a structure, but after some training sessions and more games with the team I found this easier. What challenged me the most was the rule of no shot clock. I’ve always been taught to play defense for a maximum of 24 seconds, but the fact that there was no limit to how long we could be on defense was quite frustrating and very physically demanding. It really made me realise how fit you have to be to play in America, because even at college level it’s a 30 second shot clock.

What advice would you give to anyone going on an overseas basketball tour?

If I could give any advice to anyone flying out, it would be to give your maximum effort in everything you do, whilst keeping your end goal in mind. You don’t know who will be watching you, whether you’re on the bench or in the game, with other teammates or by yourself, you must think about what you are doing at all times. You never know what a coach could be looking for, sometimes a coach is looking for someone that can win a title, but sometimes coaches are looking for someone that can just bring positive energy and support to their teammates. Play to your strengths and shoot the shots you practice on, and make sure you stay confident and positive throughout your time playing. There’s nothing worse than feeling you could’ve done more to get noticed, and that’s something that is likely to stick with you for a while.

What are your basketball aspirations?

My aspiration in basketball is to achieve a scholarship to an American college. I love the basketball in America and I’m quite fond of the American lifestyle, I would love to study whilst play there. Realistically, I want to play for a D2 college, and I think if I carry on working hard and improving my game, I will be able to make this dream a reality come next year.