Reyes cites gains in US camp

Coach Chot Reyes and the national basketball team return home Sunday after a grueling two-week impact camp supervised by training guru Joe Abunassar in Carson City.

Reyes said the gains in attending the camp were significant as the players got to sharpen their skills through the cutting-edge specific performance training and conditioning technology that is the hallmark of the Abunassar program.

If the proof of the pudding is in the eating, then the results attest to the team’s emergence as a force to reckon with. In practice games, the 11-man squad beat the ABA pro club Hollywood Fame, bannered by NBA veteran Bryon Russell, and the California State at Dominguez Hills varsity.

The other day, the Nationals lost a cliffhanger by three points to NCAA Division I contender California State at Fullerton – the school that produced San Antonio Spurs guard Bruce Bowen. Mick Pennisi would’ve sent the game into overtime but his triple try at the buzzer went in and out.

The game was held at 2 p.m. on a day that started with the team doing weights at 8 a.m. From the weights room, the players reported for court work at 9 a.m. then drilled with coach Don Casey on zone defense at 10:30. Reyes described the grind as the usual "killer sked."

Abunassar charged a discounted rate of $1,250 a player (compared to $25,000 for an NBA cager). The price was well worth it as the camp was the first step in setting the team on track for the SEABA championships on May 24-28 in Ratchaburi, Thailand, and the FIBA-Asia qualifiers for the Beijing Olympics on July 28-Aug. 5 in Tokushima, Japan.

Reyes said as a result of keeping together for two weeks, familiarity and bonding were now "very evident" among the players.

"We found out about Abunassar from Norman Black as this is the camp that Talk ’N’ Text and several Alaska players attended when it was still a part of the IMG (International Management Group) center in Florida," said Reyes.

"Korea’s Bang Soon Yung and five Chinese national players led by Yi Jianlian are the most prominent camp attendees from Asia, giving us an idea of how learning is helpful for the international game."

Reyes said Abunassar, who has spent eight years as a coach in the NCAA Division I level, personally tracked the development of each player with performance training specialist Kevin Elsey.

For two weeks, the team reported for workouts at the Home Depot Center gym which is equipped with three NBA regulation courts, 18 teaching stations, a state-of-the-art weight room and performance facility in a 125-acre complex. Abunassar operates a similar center in Las Vegas.

Giving the players a rest from the exhausting regimen, Reyes allowed a day off on their first Sunday. Jimmy Alapag, Tony de la Cruz, Asi Taulava and Mark Caguioa visited family in the Los Angeles area. Reyes drove to Las Vegas to visit his mother and mark his father’s first death anniversary. Ranidel de Ocampo and Pennisi, first-timers in the US, were taken for a tour by teammates familiar with the city sights.

Abunassar is an Indiana University graduate who is certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He served in coach Joby Wright’s staff at the University of Wyoming for four seasons. Abunassar also worked with Bobby Knight’s teams at Indiana as manager.

"We make players better at all levels by covering every aspect of every physical and mental areas of the game," said Abunassar. "Two weeks in the program will completely change the way a player approaches his training and shape the remainder of his career. Performance training, corrective exercises, nutritional knowledge and an understanding of recovery are essential keys to improving on the court."

As director for basketball at IMG Academies, Abunassar developed a progra m for dedicated athletes. He revolutionized the way players worked out, employing a comprehensive multi-level system designed by physical therapists, athletic trainers and performance coaches.

"My program has everything to do with nutrition and performance because without that, the basketball isn’t going to be as effective," said Abunassar. "Skills development and performance advancements are the keys to offseason training for players of all ages. Our program is unparalleled and will produce fast results."

Among the NBA players who are Abunassar graduates are Chauncey Billups, Tayshaun Prince, Kevin Garnett, Al Harrington, Vince Carter, Erick Dampier, Sebastian Telfair and Jared Jeffries. Abunassar has worked with over 50 NBA cagers, including six All-Stars.