2005 Reebok’s ABCD Camp

Click here to see info on this year’s edition of the ABCD Camp.

Even though some of us cannot wait until the offensively abysmal series between the Pistons and Spurs draws to a conclusion, the raising of the Larry O’Brien trophy will unfortunately signal the end of what has been an otherwise memorable NBA season. Contrary to some belief though, the gyms don’t shut down after June- the Jordans are still laced up in the summer and as the mercury rises, the basketball world too is just beginning to heat up.

From July 4 to 9, 2005, the nation’s best amateur ballers will converge at Farleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ to display their skills to Division I coaches and NBA scouts at Reebok’s annual ABCD Camp. Now in it’s 22nd year under the direction of legendary hoops advocate Sonny Vaccaro, the camp has established a reputation as being the preeminent showcase for prep talent in the country.

Within the past decade, almost anybody who has gone on to reach NBA star status gained their first national notoriety at the week long camp in northern Jersey, including names like Marbury, O’Neal (Shaquille and Jermaine) Bosh, Shareef and Carmelo.

Contrary to the trend of nearly a decade ago, in recent years ABCD has served more of a platform for prep stars to establish reps as NBA ready talent, rather than auditioning for major college programs as UNC, Duke and UConn. In the 90’s it was Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady and Rashard Lewis who inevitably turned pro after amazing showcases at the camp, while more recently it has helped increase the status of players such as Dwight Howard, JR Smith, Sebastian Telfair, Shaun Livingston, Josh Smith and of course LeBron James, encouraging them all to make the jump.

The effects of ABCD’s prestige can even be seen a week before the first jumper is swished and suicide drill is ran at FDU, as sure to be first round draft picks this year like Raymond Felton, Gerald Green, Chris Taft and Charlie Villanueva are all ABCD alumni.

Last year was highlighted by the rise of potential top 10 pick Green and Dime Magazine’s proclaimed "Next Lebron" OJ Mayo. This year should be no different on the floor of the Rothman Center as Mayo and Greg Oden look to highlight a talented slew of over 100 of the finest players 17 and under in the world.

The camp is not all fun or games though as ABCD has shown that it can even make or break a career as was seen a few years ago when LeBron James annihilated then consensus top prep player Lenny Cooke, catapulting James to an almost mythical status and confining Cooke to a journeyman role playing in leagues in the Phillipines.

So who will be "next" this year? We will find out in about three weeks. No matter how many offshoot camps pop up from companies like Nike and Adidas, ABCD remains the one.

The kids may not be ready for the lottery in 2005, many still have one or two years of high school remaining, but they will be the players not only wearing McDonald’s All-American jerseys, but also be the name’s coming out of the mouths of Stephen A. Smith, Dick Vitale and any real b-ball fan come time when the ping pong balls are selected next Spring.