By Dionysis Aravantinos / info@eurohoops.net
Coming from a family full of basketball players and growing up in Dallas, Texas, Phil Pressey’s love for the game is real, on and off the court.
Phil’s parents are Elizabeth and Paul Pressey. Together they have four children: Ashley, Angela, Paul Jr. (known by his middle name of Matthew) and Phillip. Paul was an NCAA basketball All-American, National Invitation Tournament Champion, NBA All-Defensive Team selection, JUCO National champion and a first-round NBA Draft choice.
Phil was teammates with his older brother Matt for two years at Missouri and basketball is just a way of life for the Pressey clan.
Since the start of the 2017-2018 season, the 27-year old guard has been playing for Barcelona in the Spanish League ACB and the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. In the off-season, however, Pressey is also busy not only with practices and workouts but also summer basketball camps. This upcoming June, the Pressey family has organized a basketball camp in Dallas for young athletes from 1st grade to 12th grade, to learn the fundamentals of the sport from the best.
The camp will not only be held in Dallas and will be giving back to the community but the Dallas Mavericks will be in attendance. Children from six years old to eighteen years old can attend the camp and can register at ‘Pressey Camps‘. Below, you can view the details of the camp:
DATE: June 25 – 29, 2018
- PLACE: ESD | 4100 Merell Road
Dallas, Texas 75229
The camp will be divided into two different groups:
1-8TH GRADE
- TIME: 9:00AM – 2:00PM (M – F)
- COST: $250
9-12TH GRADE (ELITE)
- TIME: 3:00 PM –
6:00 PM (M – Th) - COST: $150
You can see all the details at the flyer below, or visit the official site of the camp: presseycamps.com
Eurohoops caught up with Phil Pressey, and he talked about his camp, the coaching philosophy and the particular goal of this idea.
Pressey’s idea of starting his own camp came to him after his rookie year with the Boston Celtics: “The idea of having a basketball camp in Dallas came to me after my rookie year with the Celtics. I know how much I loved basketball camps as a kid and how many things I learned when I went. I know how important basketball camps are when you are young because you learn good habits and the fundamentals of basketball.”
Every single basketball camp has its different coaching philosophy. Phil Pressey does not only focus on the on-court abilities of a player but also how these kids can enjoy their time in a friendly environment: “The coaching philosophy of this camp is to teach kids good habits and the fundamentals of basketball. Besides, I want to make sure the kids have fun and can take what they learn at the camp and work on it. I want to make sure everyone is a better basketball player after they leave the camp.”
What is also so special about his Dallas camp in June is that all the young athletes will have a chance to play against and with Phil Pressey (one-on-one), while also the high school kids (9th – 12th grade), will scrimmage against the former NBAer. In addition, other European players will be in attendance but most importantly, Dwight Powell, Doug McDermott, and Kelly Olynyk will also make an appearance.
Learning the fundamentals of basketball, while having fun in a camp with former NBAers and professional players from all over the world is a lifetime opportunity for every young kid wanting to follow Phil Pressey’s footsteps. As he says it’s all about the following: “This camp will give kids the opportunity to compete against each other while also learning the fundamentals. Most importantly having a lot of fun.”