Top NBA talent-spotter Barone to put coaches through hoops

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES head scout, Tony Barone Jr will be among the featured speakers at the 2006 Championship Basketball Coaching Clinic in Kilkenny on August 12 and 13 as part of the Irish Basketball Academy.

The clinic is aimed at boys’ and girls’ coaches at all levels and will cover topics from teaching fundamentals and player development programmes to game-specific strategies.

Barone has been the top talent evaluator and scout for the NBA’s Grizzlies since 2000 and has been instrumental in the signing of several NBA stars.

He enters his third year overseeing the team’s scouting efforts while concentrating on scouting new and prospective talent throughout North America.

He served two seasons as the team’s scout for the US midwest and prior to joining the Grizzlies served as assistant coach at the University of Denver.

“The man’s a legend,” UCC Demons coach Pat Price insisted. “I am very excited and privileged to be working with him.”

Pat Price, Bob McKillop, head coach to NCAA Division One Davidson College, and Joe Craven of Weber State, another Division One college, are also scheduled to appear.

McKillop has been named US Southern Conference Coach of the Year five times and has won seven conference division titles, three tournament championships and has taken his team to three NCAA tournaments.

Cravens has been head coach at Weber State and University of Utah.

Pat Price has led UCC Demons to three Irish national cup titles and a SuperLeague championship.

Meanwhile Basketball Ireland have unveiled their first four newly-appointed Regional Development Officers (RDOs).

Michael Gilroy from Sligo has been appointed North-West RDO, responsible for Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo. After spending seven years in the US he studied Sports Management at UCD before being appointed Sports Development Officer at DCU. He began working for Special Olympics Ireland as Sports Development Officer in the Connacht region in 2004.

Cathy Quinn, from Kerry, has been appointed North-East RDO, covering Meath, Cavan, Monaghan, Longford and Louth. She has experience as a player and volunteer and holds qualifications in business, event management, sports injuries and fitness.

David Donnelly, a former international and captain of Roma St Vincent’s, the current SuperLeague champions, is the new RDO for the Midlands, serving Laois, north Tipperary, Westmeath and Offaly. He holds a degree in accountancy.

Elaine Williams has been assigned to the West, covering Galway, Mayo and Roscommon. Originally from Fethard, Tipperary, she is a graduate in Sports and Exercise Science from UL and has been actively involved in both athletics and camogie.