Photography by bcvisionmedia
Q&A With Allan Houston
Houston spent a week in Barcelona in early August with his son Asher, who was invited to participate in the Hoops and Heritage basketball camp. Houston reflected on his time in Spain.
Q: Let’s keep it simple to start: How was the time in Barcelona overall?
The first thing I remember is the level of coaching at the Hoops and Heritage camp. I asked three of the campers, ‘What’s the best part about the camp?’ They said the coaches. The level of teaching and the spirit were rewarding. Jamaal Womack, the founder of Hoops and Heritage, and the entire staff were amazing. They brought kids from New York, Macedonia, Spain, Germany and all of Europe.
Q: How was the experience with Asher?
It was great for both of us to hang out together. Him getting to know some kids from New York and to play at a high level was good for him. It was good to get a combination of cross-cultural basketball and individual skill development. Asher didn’t know anyone going in, but made some good friends, and they were able to play in the FIBA 3-on-3 tournament. For me, it being my first time in Barcelona, spending time with Asher was special.
Everyone keeps talking about what’s needed in youth basketball. This camp attacked all those issues, from teaching to development to teamwork. Everyone was challenged. Being around the game for so long, when you’re in it for the right reasons, you’re gonna see value in the things that matter the most.
Q: How were you able to share the FISLL fundamentals in Barcelona?
We held a FISLL workshop with the parents and staff, and it was cool to see them live out the values. We had a morning devotional, and Jamaal and the coaches took time to highlight certain kids for their efforts and acknowledge areas for improvement.
One of the main themes that came out was to listen and apply. We were giving some sound instruction and we wanted to make sure that the kids understood. The idea of listening and hearing, turning your ear to hear, was our biggest message. It allowed the coaches and all of us to keep reinforcing that throughout the week. And with our FISLL development framework, we really try to be intentional about that. Constant reinforcement of the right values naturally happened in Barcelona with a partner we have never worked with.
Q: Did your time in Barcelona reshape your understanding of any of the values and how they could be used in America?
Seeing how the coaches sacrificed, I’d love to see more of that here. They were so willing to learn, offer and serve not only the players, but each other. I’m not sure if I’ve ever worked together with a group like that. It was like a band coming together for the first time for one concert, and everyone clicked.
Q: Do you envision FISLL having a global presence?
We’d love to continue to have FISLL at these global camps and academies. The vision is for FISLL to have a space. The kids from Spain, Macedonia, Germany and all over the place were asking for the FISLL wristbands. I thought to myself, “We might have to do a Spanish version of the wristband.”
Q: Which value did you see the international community demonstrate the most?
Faith and legacy. They were so appreciative and full of gratitude. You could tell how the camp impacted them. But it also impacted me.