By Gary Lloyd
TRUSSVILLE — Keith Veney wanted the smallest kid on the floor to hit the winning shot.
The boy caught a pass on the left wing, hoisted the ball up, but came up short. On the next possession, however, that same boy received a pass on the right wing, flung it skyward, and it dropped.
“Trust your teammates!” Veney called out.
Veney, known as the “Shot Doc,” hosted a youth basketball camp at the Trussville Athletic Center this week, teaching fundamentals to basketball players ages 6 to 18. Veney, who trains NBA players such as Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Pierce, Kevin Durant and more, has been traveling the country to teach youth players the fundamentals for about five years.
Keith Veney, holding the basketball, teaches kids at this week’s camp.
photo by Gary Lloyd
“I really want to give back because the way basketball is now, it’s just like if you can jump (you can make it),” Veney said. “Skill level is diminishing. I just want to come in and just get back to the fundamentals, teach them at a young age and bring them all the way up, just to lay a solid foundation for them.”
Veney focuses on all aspects of the game, but places an emphasis on shooting, making five, six shots in a row.
“You have to be consistently good to be great,” Veney said. “If you can shoot, there’s a place for you.”
Veney played collegiately at Marshall University. He still holds the NCAA record for most 3-point field goals made in a game with 15. He made 409 3-pointers in his career, which is in the top 10 all time in Division I history.
The plan is for Veney to host another basketball camp in Trussville June 2-6.
For more information, visit www.shotdocnation.com.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.
