Kevin Hanson loves coming to Penticton to work with kids and help improve their basketball skills.
Hanson, coach of the University of B.C. Thunderbirds mens’ basketball team, was in Penticton June 18 for a clinic put on by the Lake City Basketball Club program.
“They want to learn,” said Hanson, adding they possess a good work ethic. “They are polite kids, nice kids. They love the game of basketball.”
Hanson said basketball is a great team sport that creates life-long memories. When he was driving into Penticton, he saw 10 kids playing pick-up ball at the Skaha Lake courts.
“That’s exciting to see for a basketball university coach,” he said. “I told the boys, my job is recruiting and I come here and it still gives me an opportunity. I want to see the talent level, I want to see what guys are doing here. You never know when someone is going to come and see you. Always play hard and good things will come to those people that work hard.”
Hanson praised the start of Lake City Basketball, saying it’s tremendous to have a club program in Penticton.
“Every city needs to do it. Ontario has been doing it a long time,” he said. “We’re about 15 years behind. Vancouver is good. It’s great to see that it is expanding out here.”
Hanson said summer basketball is more important than an athletes’ high school years.
“That’s where the college coaches are, the college scouts are,” he said. “That’s why it’s a bigger deal. High school is still important. It’s a warm up season to the summer time. It’s great that these guys are now going to get an opportunity. It only grows with exposure.”