The Red and Black

Issue date: 6/11/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: JASON BROOM Mark Fox believes his summer camp will help his players and coaches form relationships. [Click to enlarge]

Before Georgia men's basketball coach Mark Fox turns his attention to improving on the Bulldogs 20-loss 2008 season, Fox will focus on teaching the basics to superstars of tomorrow at the inaugural 2009 Mark Fox Basketball camp.

The camp features two different sessions, an elite camp, which was held June 6-7, and another which starts this Sunday and lasts through Wednesday, that is open to boy's ages eight through 18 who wish to develop their basketball skills.

"Summer camp is an exciting time for everyone in our program," Fox said. "For me, there is just something refreshing about teaching the game to an 8-year-old kid."

Campers have a chance to learn from a staff that consists of Georgia's assistant coaches, as well as a number of respected high school and AAU coaches.

Almost all current Bulldog players are joining Fox as part of his camp coaching repertoire. However, Fox says camp may be as much of a learning experience for his players as it is for young campers.

"For our players, it gives them a chance to put the shoe on the other foot," Fox said. "They get to officiate scrimmages and coach a little during some of the drills, and I think some of them are learning it's maybe a little tougher than they thought."

For both Fox, who is entering his first season coaching in Athens, and his players, who are trying to forget a frustrating 2008 season, the camp setting provides a unique environment for them to bond and build relationships before the start of fall practice.

"Camp is a great chance for us to get to know one another and just enjoy the game of basketball," Fox said.

Some former Bulldogs are also making appearances at camp, sharing with campers a wealth of basketball wisdom.

During the elite camp session, former Bulldog and current player for the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder, Damien Wilkins, shared with campers' experiences he has gained during a successful collegiate and professional basketball career.

While ensuring campers have an enjoyable experience, Fox says he hopes that every player leaves campus a better, more well-rounded basketball player.

"Most importantly, we try and stress the fundamentals of the game," Fox said. "These young kids see all of these spectacular plays on SportsCenter, but we're trying to teach them that that's not what the game is really about.

"What it comes down to is whether you can shoot, dribble, pass, rebound, and play strong defense," Fox said. "If you can do those things, you can have success at any level."

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