Student Publications
University of Houston
151C Communications Bldg
Houston, TX 77204-4015
713.743.5350

©1991-2007
Student Publications,
All rights reserved.

Last modified:

Contact:
ktruitt@uh.edu

News

All-star camp visits University

Former pros, including a UH legend, coach amateurs for a day

by ADAM BARRERA
The Daily Cougar 

The Campus Recreation and Wellness Center hosted UH basketball legends and NBA all-stars this weekend during the third annual NBA All-Star Fantasy Camp. 

Four-time NBA all-star and former Cougar Hall-of-Famer Otis Birdsong hosted the event and chose the venue.

"They remember when we played, and appreciated the things that we accomplished as players," said Birdsong. "To have an opportunity to play with them against us is an opportunity well worth it."

The camp is designed to focus on camaraderie rather than skill, Birdsong said.

"We'll teach them a little bit, but we want them to have fun and enjoy what they're doing," Darryl Dawkins said.

Dawkins played for the 76ers in the late 1970s and became one of the first NBA players to shatter a glass backboard while scoring. 

"Keep in mind, most of these guys are over 35. They're not going to try out for NBA teams, but they raised hell in the old city leagues. That's the fun part," Dawkins said.

Campers from all over the United States attended the camp, intended to augment Sunday's NBA All-Star Game held in Houston's Toyota Center. 

Campers gain access to every official pre-game event, as well as several private parties. Each camper paid $5,000 to attend.

Jon Colman left his real estate job in Michigan to enjoy the weekend in Houston.

"(The coaches) are like regular guys, you know," Colman said. "They're not with their heads in the clouds."

Henry Jones, a participant in the All-Star Camp, said he learned a lot from the basketball legends that taught at the camp.

"You watch basketball players, and you think, ‘Oh, they make tennis shoes, they play ball, and that's it'," Jones said. "No. These guys are real smart. They'll let you know what they think about players, teams, and coaches."

Birdsong said the camp is about more than a chance to show off.

"There's nothing really special about us," Birdsong said. "We were fortunate to have a gift given to us, to be able to play in the NBA. We're just average guys like they are. We're married, have kids and everything, just like they do. I think they'll leave here thinking, ‘Hey man, those guys are great. They don't put themselves on a pedestal or anything.'"

Send comments to dcnews@mail.uh.edu