There’s nothing like learning a skill from those who do it best, and that’s exactly what youth and high school basketball players alike had the privilege of doing on Saturday, October 22. Sheboygan South High School welcomed UW-Madison alumni Josh Gasser to the Acuity Fieldhouse to host his signature, “Josh Gasser Skills Clinic.” Gasser also brought along a crew of his friends, and fellow elite athletes. This group included Chip Rank, Northern Illinois alumni, and Ben Brust, all–time Badger leader in three point shooting.

During this hands-on basketball session, the young athletes participated in a range of drills that gave them an idea of what it takes to be an elite athlete both in the present and at the next level. These activities included ball handling, form shooting, and some competitive games. The ball handling drills consisted of one ball, and more intense two ball drills. During form shooting, Gasser and the other instructors took the mentees back to the basics by having them stand only a few feet away from the basket while they shot. Although this seemed elementary to several, many kids admitted that they could feel it helping their jump shot.

This one-day camp was not all just physically demanding, however. Toward the end of the camp, the instructors sat the campers down and opened up the floor for questions. Mr. Michael Rank, Varsity Boys Basketball coach, asked Brust about how he dealt with balancing his schoolwork with basketball,

“Just get it done,” Brust explained, “There is always time to do your homework. Instead of standing in the halls between classes and goofing around with your buddies, go straight to class and use those five minutes to do some homework. You’d be amazed at how much you get done throughout the day”.

Hearing this from one of UW-Madison’s all-time greats seemed to resonate with many of the campers. With grades in high school sports playing such a pivotal role in whether or not players can be eligible, it is important for students to stay on top of things.

Although many young athletes dreams are to play at a Division I college level, and even in the NBA, it is not always feasible. However, this is not anything that should be upsetting. There is plenty of opportunity at the Division III level for athletes who love the game that are also willing to put in the work that it takes to compete. Being a Division III athlete should hold honor as well. Former UW-Whitewater player Alex Edmunds elaborated,

“People hold Division I athletes at such a high standard. However, the commitment and levels of work ethic are the same throughout. The talent level between an elite Division III college athlete and a Division I athlete is pretty close”.

After the mini, “Q and A”, portion of the camp, it was time to compete. After being divided up by grade level, the young athletes had the opportunity to play three on three games against each other, all while being coached up by the knowledgeable instructors. Brust, whose intense passion could be heard across the gym gave one team some useful advice,

“Set solid screens. Not only will it get your teammates open, but you might just find yourself with an open shot, too”.

Throughout the three-hour session, campers had the opportunity to boast their skills in front of some Wisconsin basketball legends, as well as chat it up with them. All of the young athletes that participated had an amazing time, made evident by the lines of grinning faces waiting to get their bags, basketballs, and even phone cases signed by the UW basketball legends.