One of the more rewarding elements about coming to play basketball for the Illini is the local celebrity that follows a successful career at Assembly Hall. Of the most notable names to pass through in the past decade, a couple of them have taken it upon themselves to offer their services by teaching kids the thing they know how to do best: play basketball.
Unlike Damir Krupalija , whose parents opened up shop selling used cars upon their son’s minor success on the court in the 90’s, both Dee Brown and Brian Cook have started basketball camps in Champaign-Urbana during the summer months on various courts in town.
While Brown looks like he may have abandoned his project, Cook, a Lincoln product and current Orlando Magic forward, will return to C-U this year to host a week of morning sessions with a “staff of highly qualified coaches” and “daily appearances” from Brian himself.
Lessons will no doubt include seminars and practices on the importance of defense, how to be a team player, how to best be a good teammate and quite possibly, a small lecture on how much one can drink in college without getting kicked off the team.