Team USA Reminisces Over Reebok Summer Tournaments

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE INTERVIEWS

As the Reebok Summer Championships continued throughout the week, Ballercircuit.com had the opportunity to attend the 2009 USA Basketball Showcase. Which had at least four player that have been a main stay within the development of making the Summer Championships presented by Reebok a major tournament amongst most events that are running in the city of Las Vegas at this current time.

We met with Derrick Rose, OJ Mayo, and Kevin Love, all of who have each participated in the Reebok Summer Championships long before becoming a house hold name on the NBA level. In speaking with the 2009 Rookie of the year, Derrick Rose; we here at Ballercircuit wanted to know what feelings he had about playing with certain players on the AAU circuit, and now all vying for a position on the USA National Team for the World Championships, and possibly the 2012 Olympics. What he told us was nothing less than we expected from a true professional, which was continue to work hard and always be willing to learn more about the game. Also adding the fact that tournaments such as the Summer Championships gave him the opportunity to showcase his abilities in front of a myriad of college coaches, and giving credit to the strong competition that was always at the tournament held by Reebok. Rose is now with Adidas, but understands that events such as the Reebok Summer Championships are what have made him the player he was before attending Memphis University.

OJ Mayo gave us a little more perspective into what those who are in the same position as he was at that age. Not to let the issues of being an elite player cloud your vision as you continue to grow within you own personal game, and to always trust in yourself & the abilities that have gotten you this far. Recalling how the competition that was at this event during the times he was there, as tough as they come when playing on that level. However being prepared to face the obstacles that come with being an elite player, and there will be obstacles that athletes will face in which the way you handle them will be how you are judged.

When catching up with Kevin Love, he had definitely remembered his time at the Reebok Summer Championships. He recalled last playing with the SoCal All Stars in the tournament along with players such as Renardo Sidney, and future first round draft pick Brandon Jennings (Milwaukee Bucks). Eventually meeting Team MeanStreets which consisted of two of the Team USA’s backcourt; Eric Gordon, and Derrick Rose in the Championship game presented by Reebok. The stands were filled recalls Love when talking about the game that he and his SoCal All Stars ended up winning. Those are the type of match ups that bring out the best in an athlete who wants to play on the highest stage a basketball player could ask for; the NBA. Playing up to that level is what makes you a better individual as well as a player.

Reebok has held the standard in bringing in the best teams, and players across the nation year after year. The commitment to excellence goes far and beyond wearing shoes, but dwells into making young men into responsible grown men. As we can see now it is evident that what we learn as young adults will shape us for what is ahead in life, pre & post basketball. Reebok has continued to be a major contributor to helping these individuals reach for the stars, and becoming better individuals on and off the court.