Nike Basketball camp comes to Nova Scotia

The Nike Basketball Camp takes part at Mount Saint Vincent University. (CTV/Brianne Foley)

Daneesha Provo grew up in North Preston, N.S., and made basketball her career.

“I’m super excited about this Nike partnership, it’s something I always wanted as an athlete, but now that I get to do it for community it’s absolutely amazing,” Provo told CTV News. “Being able to help the top players in Nova Scotia and show them that these things matter, being here is such a big thing.”

To help with her camp, she brought in skills coach, Rod Raines, who has worked with NBA, WNBA and NCAA athletes.

“So if I’m able to bring people like Rod, he was an NBA, WNBA trainer from my connects to come here to Nova Scotia, I think it’s a great thing for all of us,” she added.

“It’s my first time in Nova Scotia, it’s so much fun to be here,” said Raines. “So many great human beings, so many great souls here. So it’s beautiful just to be here,”

Both Raines and Provo know how much it means to youth basketball player to have an opportunity to not only learn from top tier talent, but to come away from a camp with skills and swag.

“It’s about empowering the youth and that’s what I’ve always been about,” said Raines. “And just seeing their faces light up when you talk about strength, when you talk about how to be you authentically and unapologetically and to see that strength come out that’s just what it’s all about for me.”

“To be able to bring this partnership here in Nova Scotia is something I’ve always wanted as a kid,” added Provo of being able to be a Nike athlete. “So I’m able to do it more for the other youth and all communities in Nova Scotia to bring everyone together so that they know you can get to the next level and basketball is going to get you there.”

Seeing a tangible goal in a sport they love, can be the biggest motivator.

“It gives them a benchmark right. When you see them on TV, sometimes it seems like it’s so far away,” said Raines. “But when you have something that’s tangible, it’s right there. It makes it feel like you can reach for it, it’s a goal that’s also attainable so making it real for them in that moment is what motivates them.”

“I played, like, every sport,” said Ben Mackley, a basketball player from Cape Breton. “And then I kind of look really good at it, so I just took it really seriously.”

Mackley wants to play down in the United States in Division 1, and so being part of this camp shows him how.

“Meeting all these people. Meeting Rod, Daneesha and all the coaches. It shows what the next level looks like and like what can happen and what we must prepare for,” he said. “I saw it on Instagram, and I thought it was a good idea to get my name out there.”

For Ini Oluwa of Citadel High, she was invited to the camp by Daneesha’s father as part of a scholarship program.

“They’re both high-level athletes, they played at the biggest level and learning from people like that makes me elevate my game more and makes me better overall,” she said.

And turns her dreams into goals.

“I feel like if I keep working harder, I might get to where I want to be,” she told CTV News. “I want to play pro basketball.”

Showing the youth that through winning and losing, reaching for their dreams is possible.

“It’s not always about the win. The lessons are learned whether you win or lose,” added Raines. “And so with that, you have a winner. You have a loser. But you always have the lesson, you know. And so, basketball brings that to life.”

“One of the things that I hold pride in because basketball has done so much for me,” said Provo. “And coming to Nova Scotia, that’s where I’m from that’s something that I want to continue to build and it’s something we’re going to get more athletes to get more involved.”

Looking to bring more Nike Basketball Camps to Nova Scotia in 2027, both Provo and Raines are happy to continue coming back to coach.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page