Head Coach Orlando Harris says tryouts gave him a good look at the over-40 men who will make up the San Quentin Kings basketball team, and he’s planning to focus on conditioning and defense.
“I was looking for personality, for individual players to come out to be competitive, some one who is going to be a positive influence, someone who has integrity and will make a contribution. I was definitely looking for good athletes over 40. I was trying to weave together a team that can work towards a common goal,” said Coach Harris.
He mentions the strategies that he will implement for his team to be successful. He expressed, “Being that we are 40 and over, I don’t see us getting into a track meet. I’m focused on defense. We have to play towards our strengths. We will run when we can, throw the ball down low, and work the ball inside out. We will do the fundamentals it takes to win and that is rebound, box out and whatever it takes to win. Conditioning and defense is the key to being successful.”
Coach Harris explains what it means to play on the 40 and over basketball team. He says, “It gives men an opportunity to come out and still continue to play ball in a structured league. It paints a picture of them working together and gives an opportunity to be an example to younger incarcerated men, to show them the importance of working as a team… It gives them a chance to get away from prison, to play against men on the streets and be human.”
“Training camp is going to be difficult task to get the players in shape in order to put us in position to win. It’s going to be difficult getting guys to believe in my philosophy and trust that I know what I am doing and my ability to coach. If they buy in to my philosophy, then we will win,” said Harris.
Training camp for Kings will be on Wednesdays and Fridays nights. It will start soon after they receive scheduling from cardholders.
