Blair coach has sent three to NBA

By Anthony Spaulding
aspaulding@njherald.com
July 12, 2011

Before this week started, the closest tie Hunter Gallo had to the NBA was his New Jersey Nets jersey.

But by the end of today, the 9-year-old from Stillwater will have shared a few more connections.

Gallo, along with 91 other boys and girls attending the Buccaneer Fundamentals Basketball School at Blair Academy, got to learn the same techniques and drills that helped former Blair players Luol Deng, Charlie Villanueva and Royal Ivey make it to the NBA.

“It was amazing,’’ Gallo said. “When I first heard (about how they came here), I said, ‘Wow! This really is an excellent school.’’’

The youngsters, who ranged from ages 7 to 15, experienced the basics of basketball while learning about the stories of Deng, Villanueva and Ivey. Deng and Villanueva, who are currently playing for the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons, respectively, both earned McDonald’s All-American honors while leading Blair to one of its seven Mid-Atlantic Prep League Championships in 2003.

Ivey, a 2000 graduate, guided the Buccaneers to the MAPL in his senior season before becoming a standout at the University of Texas and playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Before reaching the pinnacle of basketball, the three stars were just like the 92 young players trying to improve their skills at the four-day camp.

“I think a lot of people are under the assumption that if you’re 6-foot-10 and talented, you are automatically in the NBA or playing college basketball on television,’’ Blair Academy boys basketball head coach Joe Mantegna said. “What I try to get across to the kids is that it takes an unbelievable amount of repetition and work regardless of the talent level.’’

Mantegna, who has run the camp since his arrival in 1999, had the players work mostly on offensive skill sets, such as ball handling, shooting from various spots near the paint and passing the ball correctly. More importantly, Mantegna showed the players how to use their “tactical IQ’’ to be successful, from using a shot fake to moving without the ball.

These physical and mental techniques provide them with a foundation for success, according to Mantegna.

“We want to let them know there is a framework to getting better,’’ Mantegna said. “If we give them the base fundamentals on how to get better, then it’s gonna be on how much repetition they’re willing to do after camp ends as they head toward their seasons in the winter time.’’

In order for the players to get the most out of the camp, Mantegna said he uses guys like Deng, Villanueva and Ivey to show what could happen if they put their time and effort to the sport.

“They’re great models,’’ Mantegna said. “When they can model something, I think it really sticks with the kids.’’

Allamuchy’s James Britt, a 13-year-old point guard, said he enjoyed hearing the stories about Deng, Villanueva and Ivey. He recalled Mantegna talking about how Deng showed his defensive skills during the Bulls’ NBA playoff run this season, how Villanueva had a great rookie season with the Toronto Raptors in 2005-06 and how Ivey worked hard to get some minutes for the Thunder this year.

Britt felt their successes will push him to become a better player.

“I want to try as hard as I can to succeed,’’ Britt said.

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