WS Chronicle

Local legend Josh Howard, just wrapped up his third annual Triple Threat Camp on the campus of Piedmont International University.  Howard said this year’s camp was better than ever.

The triple threat camp was more intense than the free camps Howard holds throughout the summer at various recreation centers.  He says this camp was for the serious ball player looking to make great strides upward in his game.

The camp ran from Aug. 8 through the 10.  Howard worked with the elementary kids during the morning session and the middle and high school kids during the afternoons.

“It was great local talent that came in and gave it their all,” said Howard.  “It’s cool to see these young kids out here trying to really become NBA players at a young age and it lets you know they are excited about the game and learning how to get better.”

Howard says one of the biggest thrills for him this year was to see some of the campers come back to see how they have matured over the past year. 

“I see a lot of progression, even in height, because a lot of the kids came back an inch or two taller than they were last year and some have even slimmed down in weight,” he said.  “It lets me know that they are working in the off-season and they are looking forward to getting back out here and getting better.”

Howard says throughout the duration of the camp, he had the campers participate in intense circuit training that focused on many aspects of the game, such as shooting, passing, rebounding, defense and more. 

“They were able to touch every facet of what you need to work on, then I could worry about basketball,” he went on to say.  “I remember those days when I had to do the same circuit, and I felt like I got the best out of me.”

Howard closed out each day with a simulated game so the campers could put what they learned that day to use.  Howard would stop the game at various times to give coaching tips to the young players about the decisions they made on the floor.

Each year, Howard has kept the numbers low with the number of kids he allows to participate in the camp.  He feels if he has too many kids he will not be able to give each one that personal attention they need.

“The kids can really see that I mean what I say, they understand I am out here doing it because I want them to get better,” said Howard on why he takes a small number of kids each summer. 

Howard credits former Glenn High School basketball coach  Napoleon Cloud  for preparing him for the rigors of the next level. 

“I thank God for coach Cloud at Glenn High School because he was a great coach and he made me understand what was going on out there,” he continued.  “Coach Cloud I am coming to see you,” he said emphatically.

“That man did a lot for me as a high school player and understanding what he taught me and how I took it through every level of basketball, it’s all about your grassroots.”