Exclusively on BakitWhy.com: Kobe Bryant Basketball Skills Academy 2010

Kobe Bryant hosted his 4th annual Basketball Skills Academy on the campus of the University of California Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, CA.  This year, in partnership with the Gina Alexander Foundation and the Black Card Circle Foundation, the Kobe Bryant Family Foundation awarded 10 scholarships to some very lucky Pilipino children from the United States and the Philippines.  3 were selected from the Philippines and the rest were brought in by SIPA (Search to Involve Pilipino Americans) to participate in this 5-day basketball camp and learn from the 5-time NBA Champion.

Boys and girls ranging from 8 to 18 years old brought their families and friends to the first day of camp on July 7, 2010, many of whom had the chance to make it back for their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th times as campers.  Kobe Bryant came out to address everyone at the Thunderdome and was met with energy and enthusiasm from the crowd.  After his appearance, Bryant was surrounded by hugs, high-fives, and exuberant cheer from the kids as he made his way out of the gym.  No one was more excited than 9-year old Vincent De Los Santos, hailing from Montalban, Rizal in the Philippines, and his friends.  Alongside Bryant’s very own camera crews, BakitWhy.com had the privilege of following Vincent, the rest of the Pilipino scholars, and their guardian, Gina Alexander around the campus for their first day at the Academy.

That day, each child was assigned a team according to their age.  The children then joined the rest of the overnight campers to register for their own rooms within the residential halls of UC Santa Barbara.  We witnessed the children, carrying their luggage, sprinting to their rooms as they claimed each of their beds.  Some of the girls were so excited with their own space they just had to take a moment to just sit down and enjoy it. Vincent, who was markedly overwhelmed after meeting his basketball idol as well as at the whole fanfare of having cameras trailing him at every moment, finally had some time to relax, enjoy his meal, and mingle with his teammates once he arrived at the dining hall for dinner.  Surely, it must have been a lot to take in - and this was all before basketball training, drills, and lessons had even begun!  We certainly don't blame him.  He would have 5 days to spend with one of the world’s all-time greatest basketball players, to learn from the very best on how to play a sport revered and loved by Pilipinos all over the world as well as to learn valuable lessons about leadership. 

"Basketball is a universal language, so, it doesn't matter where you come from...I grew up in Italy and I moved over there when I was 6 years old.  Basketball is what helped me get friends...and develop relationships..." --Kobe Bryant

We are positive Vincent will have a lot to share back home in the Philippines and we hope this experience inspires and strengthens him and the rest of the children as they continue to face life's constant struggles and challenges.

BakitWhy.com Exclusive Video from Santa Barbara:

BakitWhy.com would like to thank: Kobe Bryant and family, Gina Alexander, the Black Card Circle Foundation, Nike, the folks from the Kobe Bryant Basketball Academy, and especially the children who made this all possible.
Many thanks to Team Kobe: Melly Lee (Photographer), Ryan Domigpe (Videographer), and Raul Jalmaani (Video Editor)