Readers ask about prep hoops
January 10, 2017
College-bound guard leads E.D. White
January 10, 2017
Houma-based pro basketball player Sumar Leslie is leaving for Australia in about a month to continue her professional career.
Before she goes, she wants to share some of her knowledge with the young players who will carry the game into the future.
Leslie announced this week that she is hosting “Farewell Houma” on Jan. 28-29 – a two-day basketball camp that will be open to local children who want to get better at basketball fundamentals.
The Vandebilt graduate and former Nicholls All-Conference standout said the camp will be fun and is designed to show her appreciation to the community for their continued support.
Cost for the event is $25 per child and discounts are available for parents with multiple children.
Leslie is leaving in the coming weeks to play for the Werribee Devils – a professional team in the land down under.
“I am where I am today because of God-given ability and because of a group of wonderful people and coaches who supported me and taught me the right and wrong ways to do things – both on and off the court,” Leslie said. “I want to give some of that knowledge to kids so that they can have the confidence to play to the best of their abilities. We will learn fundamentals, yes. But I also want everyone to have fun – lots of fun.”
Leslie said the desire to teach younger players is a huge passion – one she’s had her whole life.
In her offseason, Leslie does stuff like this full-time, operating The Young Generation (TYG) – an athletic training service that has allowed her to work with more than three dozen kids from Lafourche, Terrebonne and other places in the Bayou Region.
Leslie admits she started TYG because others urged her to do so, but she wasn’t sold that she’d actually enjoy working with children. She thought her path would maybe be training older, college-bound players.
“It takes a lot of patience to work with the young kids,” she said. “I didn’t know if I had that much patience at first.”
But Leslie said all those fears were erased once she started attending Biddy and AAU games and seeing her pupils develop into better, more well-rounded players.
“I love to see them play,” Leslie said. “I can’t go to all of the games, but I go to as many as I can. When I don’t get to be there, there’s nothing I love more in the world than a text message or a call from a parent telling me that their child played well or had success. The world is so negative today. Everyone is so quick to say point out what someone can’t do. I love to hear about what people achieved. That energy gives me power and makes me feel good.”
The camp will take place at Lisa Park Gym, and Leslie said she is making plans to come up with drills and other exercises to keep the children engaged and active throughout the two days.
She said that players of any skill set will be welcome, and high school players who would like to help as counselors are welcome to do so.
“Any help would be welcome and appreciated,” Leslie said.
The local pro said she will accept sign-ups on the day of the event, but she would prefer to get sign-ups early, so that she could get an idea for how much help to get from other area coaches before the event.
To sign up, email sumarlesliebasketball@gmail.com or call 985-991-8251. •
Follow Casey on Twitter for more.
https://twitter.com/casey_gisclair
