Scott Roth played 160 games during a short NBA career between 1988‑1990. During that time, he never averaged double figures in scoring, pulled down less than a rebound a game and ended his career with more fouls than field goals.

But if Roth never had the professional impact he had hoped for, he’s certainly making up for lost time by teaching young players how they can follow their dreams and maybe one day make it to the NBA.

Roth, an Anthem resident who is also a scout for the Milwaukee Bucks, recently held his third annual Big Stuff Academy Camp in Anthem, drawing 180 players who will be starting between fourth and ninth grades this fall.

“At most camps, an NBA player will just come in to shake hands,” said Scott Foreman, a pastor for the Fellowship Church of Anthem who helps promote the camp behind the scenes. “This guy lives the camp. He’s there from dusk until dawn.”

Roth originally started the camp to help players focus on learning personal core values and sound basketball skills and fundamentals. The way Roth sees it, good basketball skills and fundamentals align with the core values of character–passion, discipline, focus, selflessness and responsibility.

Roth should know the definition of elite basketball with his resume. In addition to three years in the NBA–which saw him play with the Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves–Roth played eight years in Europe and was also an assistant coach for six seasons with the Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies.

He is the head coach on the Big Staff Academy staff, which features a handful of talented former players. Shawn Harlan had two stints in NBA training camps, and Boulder Creek High School girls and boys coaches, Theresa Beall and Adam Wertz, respectively, have helped out.

And if campers wanted more of an NBA presence, they’ve received it as eight‑year veteran Damon Jones, most recently of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and former Phoenix Suns center Jake Voskuhl have been among the special guest speakers at past camps.

An NBA marketing slogan in the 1980s used to say, “NBA action is fantastic.” In this case, the NBA action is “camp‑tastic.”

Scottsdale bonding

CCUSD – The Cactus Shadows High School football team, which is coming off a 4A‑Division II playoff appearance in 2005, will be embarking on a team building trip in early August.

A week after practices open July 31, 60 members of the Falcons and 10 adults will stay at the Scottsdale Plaza Aug. 4‑6 for a team‑bonding weekend. The team is funding the trip itself.

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