NBA star inspires local hoops players

RWANDAN basketball players have the potential to play at the highest level of competition, according to Los Angeles Lakers’ Point Guard Steve Blake, who has been in the country conducting training clinics for coaches and players.The 32-year old also came to Rwanda to look at some of the projects that he partners with New Life Ministries, an NGO that looks after orphans and also provides education to impoverished children, help hundreds of women and street children receive vocational training.“The kids are very tall, which is a big plus for this game. What they need to do is to have self belief and good work ethic. There is no doubt that some of them can play at the very top level of the game (basketball),” Blake said on Thursday after featuring for a select side in a training match against league champions KBC.National team Point Guard Lionel Hakizimana, who is one of the benefactors from the training clinics, told Times Sport the NBA star’s useful tips will help local players get more knowledge about the game and not take it for granted.“He encouraged us to work hard if we are to succeed in this game and also told us many things that our coaches have not said to us all along,” said Hakizimana of Blake who flies back to the US today after completing his nine-day working visit to the country.During his time in Rwanda, a total of 36 active basketball players and 12 coaches benefitted from the training clinics conducted by the LA Lakers star.

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NBA star inspires local hoops players