Brendan Smith, owner of ASA Hoops and long-time Nike Camp Director, breaks down:
Why Camp?
In the world of club basketball and one-on-one training, a common question arises: Why attend a camp?
As the Director and Owner of ASA Hoops, I have a unique perspective on the benefits of club basketball, skills training, and summer camps. In my opinion, it shouldn’t be one versus the other—but rather a blend of both.
1. Time on Task
A typical basketball day camp runs Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, totaling approximately 30 hours for the week. Factoring in lunch and short breaks, the average camper still receives about 5 hours of on-court instruction per day, or 25 hours for the week.
That 25 hours of court time is the equivalent of roughly eight weeks of club basketball practice.
Basketball is a sport that requires consistent skill development, repetition, and daily progression. While attending club basketball for 2.5–3 hours per week will improve a player’s skill set, the rate of improvement is not comparable to the focused repetition gained from attending multiple camps over the summer.
2. Improving Weaknesses vs. Playing to Strengths
In competitive environments—whether practice or game play—it’s natural for players to rely on their strengths. Whether you’re trying to impress a coach for more playing time or simply trying to win, most athletes gravitate toward what they already do well.
As a result, many young players continue to improve only in areas where they are already strong. While there are excellent coaches who emphasize development during practices, time is often limited due to game preparation.
Summer camp provides the freedom to explore and work on weaknesses in a less demanding and less pressured environment. This is where true growth happens. Developing weaknesses leads to the biggest gains in overall performance and confidence.
3. Friends and Fun
Summer camp is also a great opportunity to meet new friends from different schools and communities. Basketball becomes the common thread that brings campers together and encourages face-to-face interaction.
In an era dominated by screens and digital communication, placing children in new environments where they are encouraged—and sometimes required—to communicate, collaborate, and compete in person is a valuable life skill.
Our camps are designed to welcome all levels and abilities, offering a fun yet competitive learning environment. Throughout the day, campers rotate through drill stations and skill-development sessions, while also enjoying a healthy dose of competition.
At the end of each week, we recognize campers in every age group with awards such as:
- 1-on-1 Champion
- 3-on-3 Champion
- Hot Shot Champion
- Free Throw Champion
Additionally, our coaching staff collaborates to select Campers of the Week and other special recognition awards.
We hope to see you at a camp near you this summer!