Rising stars shine at Lagos training session hosted by D'Tigers standout Eric

On Friday, D'Tigers assistant captain Michael Eric hosted a Top 50 elite basketball camp in Lagos, which drew widespread acclaim from organisers due to the impressive turnout and exceptional talent on display, as reported by Saturday PUNCH.

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The camp was organised under the umbrella of the Erico Sports Legacy Foundation, a non-profit entity established by Eric in memory of his late father, former Super Eagles goalkeeper and assistant coach Joe Erico.

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Eric, a Lagos native born and raised in Mushin, expressed his delight at witnessing the youngsters showcase their skills, stating that this experience reinforced his conviction that the foundation's efforts were yielding tangible results in the lives of young Nigerians lacking access to proper sporting platforms.

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According to Eric, the enthusiasm and eagerness of the teenagers to learn left him with an overwhelming sense of fulfilment, as he remarked, "Seeing these kids show up prepared and eager to learn, seeing the hunger in their eyes — it gives you goosebumps and that is exactly the goal."

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Eric attributed the inspiration behind the initiative to his late father, whose guiding philosophy of giving back to the community had a profound impact on his own professional career, as he noted, "He always told me it is not about you, you are here for a reason, and you must use your gift to give."

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Eric further elaborated on his father's influence, saying, "I have taken that message very deeply, it is no longer just about me, I have lived the life I could live and enjoyed what basketball has given me, but I have to come back home and make sure something meaningful is done."

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The one-day camp brought together 50 young players and their coaches from various academies across the country, with the primary objective of identifying exceptional talents and exposing them to international standards.

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Throughout the camp, participants engaged in rigorous drills and training sessions, with the foundation providing essential equipment such as shoes, jerseys, and other gear, and the best performers were slated for potential sponsorship or trials with European clubs.

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According to the foundation's programme director, Gbenga Jetawo, the level of participation at the camp exceeded expectations, with the initiative having trained over 1,000 children since its inception five years ago, solely funded by Eric.

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Jetawo expressed his admiration for the teenagers' display, stating, "We were impressed by the turnout and by the display of these teenagers, what they showed today tells you that the talent is there, we train them in the basics of basketball, encourage and mentor them, and advise them on life beyond the sport."

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Head coach Chris Nomigo, who led the technical team at the camp, described the atmosphere as energetic and purposeful, saying, "The kids were brilliant, the energy they brought was fantastic, and that is what we want to see, it was a one-day crash course, but we make sure to stay in contact with them long after so the development continues."

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Eric, who was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2013 after a growth spurt as a teenager led him to the sport, emphasized the foundation's equal emphasis on education and sports, a principle he attributed to his late father's influence.

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He noted, "Basketball is just a tool to improve your life, when you are educated, you can walk into any room with confidence and create opportunities for yourself far beyond sport, that is what we are trying to pass on to these children."

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Eric also commended fellow Nigerian basketball professionals who had launched similar initiatives across the country, describing the collective effort as a movement that was transforming grassroots development.

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The foundation's long-term goal is to establish a full academy in Nigeria with international affiliations, secure sponsorship partnerships, and continue tracking the progress of children who pass through its programmes.