Hoping to improve the basketball program for boys and girls players, the Miami Lakes Optimist Club has found a man who coached in the NBA, college and in high school, willing to lend helping hand.
Oronde Taliaferro, who coached NBA Superstar Blake Griffin when he was an assistant at Oklahoma, has volunteered his time to teach Optimist Club coaches and players the basic fundamentals of the game, skills development and overall knowledge enhancement.
Taliaferro and the Optimist Club agreed to first hold coaching seminars August 8 to September 26 at one of Miami Lakes’ community centers to get the partnership rolling.
The skills training sessions will take place at three locations, Barbara Goleman High School, 14100 N.W. 89 Avenue, Hialeah Gardens High School, 11700 Hialeah Gardens Boulevard and L.A. Fitness.
Miami Lakes Optimist Club president Jim Hamilton said the organization is lucky to have Taliaferro’s assistance to teach and train coaches and players.
“What better way to improve our coaching abilities to run practices and teach skill development,” Hamilton said. “It helps to better serve our kids in the community.”
The program will include 10 in-depth sessions for the coaches and boys and girls ages 7 to 13.
Taliaferro has 15 years of NBA, college and high school coaching experience.
He played in two NCAA tournaments, advancing to the Elite Eight. He led Detroit’s Central High School to the best record in the country and the state championship.
Taliaferro was also named Detroit News & Free Press “Dream Team” Coach of the Year.
He said he decided to help out the Optimist Club’s basketball program because he marveled at Hamilton’s lifetime dedication to helping kids on the basketball court and classroom.
“Jim Hamilton is a guy who is all about the kids and the community,” Taliaferro told The Miami Laker. “We’re hoping to bring new ideas and new ways to impact the basketball culture in Miami Lakes.”
For more information, call Jim Hamilton at 305-216-9615.