Brandon Jenningsâ experience in Europeâalong with hard work and good coaching in the right situationâwas widely credited with some of the young point guardâs early success. Not only because of the competition he was playing against, but also because of the maturity he gained during the times, and they were frequent, when he wasnât playing.
That year abroad was surely a whirlwind. And youâd have to assume that his past season, leading the Bucks to the playoffs, was an exhilarating experience all its own. There was much happening on a daily basis during these last two formative years, and, like with anyoneâs memory, some events stick out in Brandonâs mind more than others. The 55-point game must stick out. The NBA Draft must stick out (both when he was selected in â09 and when he blogged with SLAM this year). Game 7 of this yearâs First Round, when the Bucks were eliminated, must stick out.
So does anything about Jenningsâ Lottomatica Roma team heading to Malaga, Spain to take on Unicaja in early March 2009 stick out?
âI probably didnât get a chance to play,â he says, laughing, while at the same time managing to come across completely serious.
Um, not quite. Heâs played an entire season and playoffs in a different league in a different continent since, so you canât blame his cloudy recollection. So letâs clear that up:
In nearly 30 minutes of play off the bench, Jennings had a team high 17 points on 6/13 shooting and swiped two steals.
That stellar game surely to boosted BJâs confidence, helped the team and caught the eye of some NBA scouts. But it wasnât just them whom he impressed. Jenningsâ play and demeanor also grabbed the head of a local basketball camp, who had not seen him play before. The impression he left, coupled with his play this past season, was enough warrant to Brandon a slot as the guest star at Malagaâs World of Basket Basketball Camp.
Bringing in an NBA player for the kids has become a trademark of W.o.B. In years past, the camp has featured heavyweights like Paul Pierce, Jason Kidd and Lamar Odom, as well as last summerâs duo of Carmelo Anthony and Nate Robinson.
While Brandon is the youngest and most unestablished to make the journey, thatâs not an unfamiliar role for the Compton-native. And showing heâs comfortable and belongs typically hasnât taken long, either.
âI went to a couple basketball camps when I was younger, but I wasnât going to big playersâ camps, to tell you the truth,â he admits. Still, he understands that itâs a cool opportunity for kids to see an NBA star in person, let alone to have that dude help out with their games. And itâs going to be an equally exciting experience for Brandon. âThis is going to be my first time [hosting a basketball camp]. And for me to have my first basketball camp in a different country, itâs pretty cool.â
Plus, heâs enthused about what the opportunity can bring to Under Armour Basketball. âI think itâs gonna help Under Armour a lot,â he explains confidently. âThe fact I had a pretty good season this year, and now to go to Spainânow weâre trying to be global with the basketball [brand]. Spain is a great start, and then I get to go to China, too, about a week after for a little event [with Yao Ming]. I think weâre gonna get a lot of exposure and itâs gonna be really big for us.â
No doubt about that. Who wouldnât want to be near the beautiful beaches of Malaga, taking in Spainâs rich culture for a couple weeks? And all while youâre playing ball, helping out kids who idolize you and hope to one day follow in your footsteps, and building your brand? Now thatâs gotta be the kind of memory that, even as his career continues to blossom and his continues to illuminate Milwaukee during its dark, cold winters, is going to stick out to Brandon. And you know these kids wonât forget about it, either.
World of Basket Basketball Camp offers two sessions, from July 4th-10th or July 11th-17th and is open to boys and girls 6-18 years old. For more info on the camp or registration information, you can hit up their site.
