The value of sports and recreation has been challenged recently with the idea of taking physical education out of our schools. As a result, many sports camps are becoming more and more popular. Anyone who has participated in organized sports knows that not only does it keep you in shape; it also teaches you about life. Pro Player Insiders recently spoke with Eszylfie Taylor, owner and director of Pasadena’s Future Stars summer basketball camp.
Taylor sees a greater purpose in sports and has developed a program that will carry out his vision. “The character traits that one must refine to become a successful athlete are the same qualities that equate to becoming a successful person. We stress hard work, perseverance, integrity, teamwork, and discipline in our individual workouts and camps. Sports are such an integral part of a child’s maturation as they teach team work, discipline, commitment, and provide a sense of belonging.” Taylor said.
Athletics are a way out of a bad environment to some. To others, it’s simply a way to get their minds off of the everyday struggle that they encounter, a form of therapy. Sports teach our young people valuable lessons. Taylor is quick to point out that his camps will surely polish a young person’s basketball skills but more importantly, the focus isn’t on just creating an NBA player. “The chances that any young player becomes an NBA player are slim,” says Taylor. “That’s not our goal. Our goal is to make that player the best player he can be, regardless, and to teach the value of hard work and discipline.”
The NBA is a very difficult finishing point. Taylor knows this personally. Taylor was a four-sport varsity athlete at Maranatha High School, he was probably the shortest player on its basketball team. To some that would be an excuse but his lack of height only drove Taylor to work harder to succeed. That’s the beauty of sports, it brings out the competitor within us. It spoke to the inner strength that Taylor had and inspired him to overcome the obstacle that he was presented with.
He was awarded a basketball scholarship to play at Concordia University in Portland, Oregon. Taylor had a stellar career as a point guard for the Cavaliers. Playing point guard taught Taylor about the value of leadership and working within a team structure. It taught him about being reliable and a good teammate. These are the lessons that he passes on to the campers at his basketball camp.
Taylor believes that playing on a basketball team requires a person to have commitments. He preaches how teams rely on each other so much and stresses how important it is that kids make all their practices and are ready to go on time. “Children learn about the value of time management and the value of keeping promises,” he said.
“Playing basketball relies heavily on team skills,” says Taylor on the camp’s Facebook page. “The kids have to work together and look for other teammates to help them out. Getting a basket will often take the entire team’s effort. Some teammates will be blocking the other team from trying to get the ball. Others will try and get close to the net and be open if a chance comes to make a shot. Whoever has the ball has to be aware of their teammates and where they are in the play. Basketball teams tend to foster deeper friendships between players because they start to develop a level of trust with each other on the court.”
While there are many lessons to be learned from playing sports, some of the best lessons are the ones that a great coach teaches. Most successful people can quickly point to something that one of their athletic coaches taught them along their path. Taylor believes strongly in the concept of positive reinforcement. As he says; “The best coaches will encourage the kids when they are doing a good job and give them constructive advice when they make a mistake. A great coach can really instill confidence in the players, which will make them stronger in other areas of their lives.”
The young people that attend the Future Stars Basketball Camps leave with a sense of accomplishment. Taylor and his staff challenge them to reach levels that they did think they could. The Future Stars basketball camp is now in its 14th year. Taylor summed up one of the core principles that they teach, “Basketball is life,” says Taylor. “The way we treat our teammates is the way we treat friends and neighbors. We help in any we can. That’s teamwork.” This is something that he strives to instill in young players. Over the years, the camp has seen hundreds of young hopefuls go on to successful careers, many of which have nothing to do with basketball.
For more information on the Future Stars Camp, please visit their website at www.futurestarscamp.org
Eszylfie Taylor is the President of Taylor Insurance & Financial Services in Pasadena, CA. For more information visit www.taylorinsfin.com
