UM Basketball Holds Basketball Clinic

Sept. 22, 2001

Hialeah, FL (hurricanesports.com) – Members of the University of Miami men’s and women’s basketball teams held a free basketball clinic Saturday afternoon for approximately 100 local youths at the Gymnasium at Bucky Dent Park in Hialeah, FL.

The event ran from 2-4 p.m. and was open to children 12-year-old and under.

Hurricane student-athletes participating included senior guard John Salmons (Philadelphia, PA), sophomore guard Marcus Barnes (Miami Senior) and sophomore guard Danny Marakovits (Allentown, PA) from the men’s team, and sophomore forward Chanivia Broussard (Miami Northwestern), sophomore forward Shaquana Wilkins (Winter Park, FL), sophomore guard Hutashi Wilson (Toronto, Canada) and freshman forward Melissa Knight (Philadelphia, PA) from the women’s team.

“Events like this are very important,” said John Salmons who later thrilled the kids with an impromptu dunking display. “There were a lot of people who helped me when I was growing up and I feel this gives me a chance to give something back. I really enjoyed interacting with the kids and I think they had a lot of fun as well.”

The clinic began with an hour of drills to teach the fundamentals of several aspects of the game of basketball including dribbling, low post offense, ball handling, free throw shooting, jump shooting and defense.

“I really enjoy events like this,” said Shaquana Wilkins. “It gives the kids in the community a chance to get to know us, and us to know them.”

The clinic concluded with a 30-minute question-and-answer session followed by an autograph session.