Beware Youth Basketball Camp Scams
Scams are not typical in the Austin basketball camp world.
There have been stories in the press about former athletes scamming young players and their parents out of basketball camp money.
Ex New Mexico State basketball player Daniel Hicks brainstormed a basketball camp and scammed several young basketball hoopsters out of $500 per player.
Basketball Camp kids traveled from all over the world to play in Hicks scam/camp, but quickly found out the “basketball camp” was a way for Hicks to cash in. Kids weren’t fed for days at a time and had very little spending money.
Hicks said he was trying to bring an academic and basketball experience toin West Virginia. It’s hard to believe Daniel Hicks after reading all the legal charges against him that it was his intent to help students become better basketball players. You wonder how to avoid basketball scams and people like Hicks.
First of all, do your research. Check the background of the basketball trainer or ex player who is in charge or the lead instructor. Google them. Google their name and reviews. See if their rates are in line. Ask if they have a criminal background check.
Ask questions about the camp and what all they offer. Do they offer room and board? What skills will your kids be learning? And most importantly who will be teaching your kids? Another good indication if this is a legit camp or not is the website. Does the business have it’s own physical location?
If the website looks professionally done, it’s should give you a good idea whether or not the camp is legitimate. How long has the website been up? How long has the business been in existence? Can they provide a lengthy list of references?
Be leery of any camp that are out of town or in some cases as in the Hicks case, in another country.
Follow your instinct. do your homework.
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