By Chuck Stewart, Jr.
Newburgh -
Now in its eighth year, BJK Sports continues to grow. Coach Robert McMillian can attribute that growth to his love of children and his passion for the game of basketball.
Eight years ago, McMillian had a dream to create his own basketball development camp for children in the community. He, along with his son and daughter, turned that dream into reality when they started BJK Sports in 2002.
What sets BJK Sports apart from many of the other programs in the area is its focus on the fundamental skills of the game. BJK Sports is a complete basketball development and training camp committed to perfecting youth in the skill of the game. They teach: ball handling, offensive post moves, offensive perimeter moves, team defensive rules, rebounding and shooting mechanics. "The fundamentals of basketball, that’s what I teach here," McMillian said. "We don’t play any games. We learn all the basics of basketball."
Early Saturday mornings you can find McMillian at the Newburgh Recreation Center’s basketball courts. He’s there before the kids, setting up and preparing for the days drills. But he’s usually not alone. He has volunteers from the community, other coaches and teachers from NFA who lend a helping hand.
McMillian also brings in other coaches, guest speakers, police officers and those who can offer the children a different perspective as to what life is all about, off the basketball court. Last Saturday morning, McMillian invited John Jenerose and Dominick Magistro of Carlie’s Crusade Foundation to speak to the children about child abduction prevention.
The duo instructed the children and parents on how not to become a victim. They explained how predators lure children and how to react. They also offered practical tips on how not to become an easy target and how they can protect themselves.
This is a typical Saturday morning for McMillian, who plans on continuing his work with the children as "long as the good Lord allows him," Coach McMillian says.
