By Eric Heubusch
A former Armwood High School student, now playing professional basketball in Italy, returns this summer to host a basketball camp aimed to develop the skills of local children in grades 5-12.
Adam Sollazzo, a member of the class of 2008 and guard for Proger Chieti in Lega Due Italia, will help teach several base skills of basketball at his Rising Stars Basketball Camp. The camp will run at Tampa Prep High School on Saturday, June 6, and Saturday, June 27, as well as a July date to be announced later.
“We’ll have a really experienced staffed there,” Sollazzo said. He explained that the instructors would include other professional players, as well as current and former collegiate players and coaches.
Sollazzo worked for the city of Tampa running camps in previous years during the offseason, but branched off on his own last summer. Participants highlighted the former County Player of the Year’s focus on each camper’s game.
“He spends a lot of time focusing on the individual, and making corrections that will help us improve as players,” said Peyton Lane, a 15-year-old aspiring point guard who attended camp last year. “It was a great workout, with a lot of helpful drills.”
Parents were also impressed by the local star’s ability to work with young players. Stacey Lane, Peyton’s mother, acknowledged his leadership and personality.
“I appreciated Adam’s professionalism and rapport,” Stacey said. “He’s a very personable individual, and both of my sons really gravitated toward his coaching style.”
The camp, sponsored by Beef O’Brady’s of Seffner and the Southeast Basketball Academy, aims to teach a specific skill set at each meeting for campers to take home and master. Sollazzo believes that players benefit more by narrowing down on a skill set for one day than trying to develop a wide range of skills in the small amount of time allotted.
Sollazo’s Rising Stars Basketball Camp is $40 per day, and there are a limited number of spots for each day. Sollazo added that if a child attended all three dates, he or she will be entered into a raffle for a game-worn jersey.
To register for the camp or for more information, email campsollazzo@gmail.com.
