Exciting basketball talent Jether Dean Harris is back home with a wealth of knowledge and experience to share following his participation in the annual Quinn Cook Basketball Camp in Maryland, United States of America.
The 16-year-old lad got the opportunity to interact with the man himself – Cook – and was guided by experienced and qualified coaches who were on hand to teach the attendees at the camp. Cook is a professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers; he played college basketball for Duke University.
In 2015, he helped to guide Duke Blue Devils to the NCAA Men’s National Championship and in 2018, he won his first NBA Championship with the Golden State Warriors.
The camp’s theme was geared at developing student-athletes both on and off the field.
“The camp experience was very meaningful… the coaches made you feel like family and Quinn would walk around and talk to as many people as possible,” Harris told Stabroek Sports following his return to Guyana a few days ago.
The young talent said the camp was more than basketball.
“I interacted with Quinn several times because he’s very approachable… Overall the camp was more than just basketball. It was an opportunity to learn about discipline and life skills and how to motivate yourself.”
Commenting on the talent of the attendees and their contrasting basketball styles, Harris observed that most of the players’ skills were superior to those
he comes up against in Guyana.
“Most of them were exceptional players who surpassed the level of basketball in Guyana, but Guyana can definitely reach and surpass that level.
“For the most part, they were nice people but when it came to games on court, if you’re on the opposite team, friends became like complete strangers. But at the same time sportsmanship was shown.”
Harris is a student at Marian Academy and plays the point guard role. The ball handler has produced notable performances over the years including a 35 points, nine rebounds performance against President’s College in an Under – 19 semi-finals. During an Under- 14 final, he dropped 58 points and grabbed 12 rebounds against President’s College.
His ultimate basketball goal is to create opportunities for his fellow Guyanese to train and play professionally by going as far as he can with basketball. The teenager plans to build a network to change not just basketball, but sports generally in Guyana.
Asked about what fuels his incredible ambitions, Harris believes that it is his purpose in life to make an impact and create change.
“The fact that I wake up every single morning that means God still has a plan for my life. My family constantly supports me, I’m surrounded by people I love that they’d tell me if I’m going right or going wrong, and overall they are genuine…
“The love I have for basketball makes me work so hard for it. I’m not the best player and I’m not better than anybody, but I am different from everyone because I’m my own unique player, and I will try to be the best version of myself.” The basketball camp was Harris’ first.
