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Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero is entering his third NBA season after being selected Number one overall in the 2022 draft and helping his team return to the playoffs. Recently, Banchero passed on pieces of his knowledge, skill and passion for basketball to 150 local Central Florida kids.
Banchero, along with some of the area’s leading high school and college coaches, directed a basketball camp in partnership with CareSource ProCamp for elementary and middle school students at Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte Springs — including some from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida. The camp took place over two consecutive days on September 28 and 29.
The Positive Influence of Youth Sports
Banchero and his top-notch lineup offered tips and hands-on training to the excited campers. The kids heard inspiring lectures, learned fundamental basketball skills, and participated in drills, contests and non-contact games.
Reminiscing about his youth and the positive impact basketball camp had on him and his future, Banchero stated, “This is something I am passionate about. Just giving back to the youth, helping kids out. I grew up going to basketball camps all throughout the summer as a kid. It’s something that I loved to do when I was a kid. I definitely wanted to do a camp here.”
Health Benefits of Basketball
D. Harrison Youmans, MD, Sports Medicine Physician, Rothman Orthopaedics at AdventHealth, was also present at the special basketball camp and weighed in on Paolo Banchero’s positive influence on young athletes, saying:
“It’s been great having Paolo in Orlando. The skillset that he brings is obviously very unique — All-Star in his second year, Rookie of the Year coming into the league and a great guy. When you come to an event like this and see these guys giving back to the community, teaching the kids, bringing them along and encouraging them in the game, you can’t ask for more from a young man who’s really giving his all for the community.”
Dr. Youmans also spoke about the health benefits of basketball, addressing how it helps the whole person:
"I think basketball's a great sport to play in terms of trying to have a healthy lifestyle. It's got a good mix — running up and down the court, you get a little bit of aerobic activity, but you get those bursts, too, and it's fun.”
Other physical and emotional health benefits of basketball include:
- Building strong bones
- Decreasing stress
- Developing movement skills
- Encouraging team spirit
- Enhancing heart health
- Fostering communication skills
- Improving coordination
- Increasing self-confidence
As for the power of team spirit and building relationships, Dr. Youmans concludes, “Team sports, in particular, do a really good job of instilling a lot of values, like sacrifice, selflessness and teamwork."
Paolo Banchero remembers how excited he was as a kid going to youth basketball camps, especially when a pro player appeared. He explained:
“It means a lot because I know how much it’s going to mean to the kids. I had the same feeling as a kid going to the camps and meeting my favorite players and whatnot, the stars of the NBA at the time. You don’t forget stuff like this. I’m happy that these kids get to experience this.”
Elevate Your Game With Pro-Level Care at AdventHealth and Rothman Orthopaedics
Everyone wins big when your hometown team and our world-class hospital combine forces. The Magic had their media day at the AdventHealth Training Center on September 27, 2024, before the extraordinary basketball camp began the following day.
As the Official Health Care Provider of the Orlando Magic, AdventHealth and Rothman Orthopaedics, our official orthopaedics partner, are committed to helping each Magic player — and you — achieve peak performance. From our experienced physicians to our compassionate staff, we’re committed to your lifelong well-being in the stands or in our facilities.
