Aside from the announcements, the public relations and the regalia, the camp also saw plenty of elite-level play. As Ronny Turiaf, of the famed Los Angeles Lakers, put it, "I just want the media interactions to finish so we can get out on the court and play some ball. That's why we're here: to help these kids play the best basketball they possibly can."
That they did. Linton Johnson, of the Phoenix Suns, said he witnessed a noticeable change throughout the four day camp, especially after leading them through gruelling exercise designed to enhance stamina. "The kids, even the best, don't focus enough on playing defence. We've been trying to teach them, that at the top levels, defence wins championships. They still have a lot to learn, but I've seen great improvement."
In terms of size, skill, experience and sheer tenacity, the Chinese players led the way. Hanlin Dong (6'9) and Tao Xu (6'10) towered over the rest of the competition, and both possessed a dazzling array of lay-ups, slam-dunks and finesse shots. This reflects China's growing interesting in basketball, manifested in a recent influx of Chinese players into the NBA, headlined by superstar Yao Ming, a 7'5 giant with nimble feet and a soft touch. Lebanese, Iranian and Korean players also made their mark, with players from those countries grabbing individual awards.
But, to the surprise of some self-deprecating members of the domestic media, the Indian players more than held their own. Pat Garrity said the Indians matched up well against their international peers. "The Indian boys can really play. They're lanky, athletic guys who like to get out there and run." Moments later, Vishesh emphasised Garrity's point with a thundering slam-dunk that left the crowd whooping and hollering.
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