After a highly selective, invitation-only process, Cayman’s Lorrie Brown was chosen as one of the top 30 boys and girls within the Americas region to attend an elite basketball camp, held over the weekend.
Players are selected for the Basketball Without Borders camp by the International Basketball Federation, the US National Basketball Association and participating national federations based on their performance and demonstrated leadership abilities on the court.
Cory McGee, Brown’s Cayman basketball coach, told the Compass that she deserves this accomplishment, and he is extremely proud of her.
“She’s put in the due diligence behind trying to be a good basketball player [and has] inspired a lot of different girls in my current program in the Cayman Islands, in terms of getting better, and [their] work ethic,” he said.
He added that Brown “held her own” and played very well while at the camp in El Salvador from 30 May-2 June, setting the bar high for Cayman basketball.
“[The camp coaches] had confidence in her, leaving her on the court in the fourth quarter, which is the most important part of the game, but for Lori’s young age, her potential is through the roof [and] she has an incredibly bright future,” McGee said.
The annual BWB camp, which was launched in 2001, has reached more than 4,000 young people from over 140 different countries. It was created with the purpose of maximising the potential of international basketball talent through elite instruction and development opportunities.
Camp participants also benefit from coaching advice from current and former FIBA and NBA stars.
Beyond improving basketball ability, the camp focuses on promoting life skills such as healthy living, respect, friendship, education, openness and sportsmanship.
Brown, 16, told the Compass that the camp experience was amazing, and she hopes to use what she’s learned moving forward in her basketball career.
Defensive and offensive principles and the importance of taking care of your body on and off the court were two major lessons she learned while at the camp.
For Brown, the game goes beyond the physical aspect, and she shared her desire to develop good knowledge and understanding of the game.
“I want to have a higher IQ because … you can be so athletic and strong, but if you don’t have a good IQ of the game, you’re not going to do well at the higher level,” she said.
Her deep love of basketball for the past 12 years has carried her to DME Academy – a private school for student-athlete development and training – in Daytona Beach, Florida where she plays forward on the school’s team, a position she likes because she says it is “very versatile”.
Brown says universities are now recruiting students, and that process has been going well for her, though she cannot divulge which schools have shown interest in her.
Ultimately, she says she’s excited for her future in basketball and representing Cayman in the best way she can through the sport.
