HAMPTON â€"â€"
On the first day of spring, inside Hampton University's Holland Hall, two men sweat through a morning workout at one end of the basketball court.The younger man, Hampton University senior and All-MEAC wing Darrion Pellum, aspires to a professional basketball career. He moves mostly wordlessly through a series of drills â€" shooting, dribbling, moving and pivoting from different spots on the floor.
The older man, Hampton native Ganon Baker, can help Pellum reach his goal. For nearly 90 minutes, he demonstrates and directs the drills. He moves crisply, precisely and constantly, belying his 39 years. He maintains an almost endless stream of chatter, both instructional and encouraging.
"Come on, DP, you can't miss two in a row. Elevate, elevate, elevate."
"You've got to get it off quicker than that."
"Use your feet to get open and the ball will help you score."
"Every shot's the most important shot. Every shot's the game winner."
"Every miss, you're closer to a make."
"Don't let your mistakes affect the next possession."
"Push through, push through. At the end of pain is success."
At the end of the session, it's difficult to tell who's worked harder. In part, that's why Pellum is grateful that Baker offered his services. And that's why Baker carved out a few days from an increasingly demanding schedule to work out a fellow Hampton High alum.
"It's kind of amazing that a guy from my high school is in his position and willing to come back and work with me," Pellum said.
"I want him to be the first guy from Hampton High to make the NBA," Baker said. "If it happens, maybe he'll inspire the next guy to do it."
Baker preaches possibility, largely because he embodies it. He is Tony Robbins with a jump shot, Dr. Phil with a handle. Maybe more accurately, he is the Johnny Appleseed of roundball, spreading the gospel of hoops and nurturing the game in gyms large and small.
Baker has evolved from a halftime-show, ball-handling wizard to one of the most respected figures in the expanding world of basketball training. He is New York Knicks star Amar'e Stoudemire's regular workout partner and has worked with NBA players Chris Paul, Kevin Durant and Jerryd Bayless.
Baker routinely works the Nike skills academy circuit, including those fronted by NBA stars LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Deron Williams and Vince Carter. He conducts clinics nationally and now internationally, at all levels, year-round. He has upwards of 50 basketball workout videos and aims to establish a coaching and training network domestically and abroad so that others can learn and teach the game as he has.
Local AAU hoops impresario Boo Williams calls Baker "one of the best guys in the country."
Former William and Mary hoops standout David Schneider, himself just getting into the clinic business, called Baker "the Michael Jordan of personal training and basketball skills training."
Baker is flattered by the comparison, though he doesn't buy it. Yes, he is living his dream. Yes, he has had some success. But there's so much more to do.
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