WINTER HAVEN – From finding talent to building a culture, camps are a quintessential part of Polk State Basketball's operations.

Polk State's coaches host camps to engage the local community and foster young athletes' interest in sports and higher education. The camps are hosted by the individual coaches rather than Polk State College, but because they are on campus, they are introduced to the value of higher education. 

Elite Basketball Camp

When it comes to finding talented players to fill a roster, the Elite Basketball Camp does just this. The upcoming Elite Basketball Camp will take place on March 12 and then again on April 16. Head Coach Brandon Giles expects others to be added in May and June.

"It's a platform for kids to build their basketball skills, learn, and get a feel for college basketball," Giles said. "It's also an opportunity for those under-the-radar talents to be seen."

As far as under-the-radar talents go, Alex Vertus and Dominick Nelson both qualify. The two Polk State guards each attended the camp last year before earning a scholarship offer.

"The camp helped me a lot," Nelson said. "I didn't have anywhere to go, so this was a big opportunity for me."

The camps last from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the Winter Haven Campus. The cost to attend each is $75. It's open to high school students all the way through college sophomores.

"I wanted to come and show what I could do in person," Vertus said. "The camp was a chance to prove I belonged. There was good competition and I showed what I could do and that I belonged at this level."

Vertus, who averaged nearly 18 points per game as a freshman at Malcolm X College in Chicago, helped stretch the floor for Polk State this past season. Vertus said his decision to attend the camp and ultimately transfer to Polk State was for the opportunity to play against better competition. He now holds NCAA Division I offers to Jackson State University (Miss.) and Monmouth University (N.J.).

"I like to go where the fire is," Vertus said. "For potential campers, I would say (Polk State) could be your landing spot. Come, be you, and show what you can do."

Nelson ranked third on the team in scoring, averaging 11.2 points per game as a freshman this past season. He will play in St. Louis in April in a highly regarded junior college showcase known as JA48 All Stars East.

"I felt like I was underrecruited my whole life," Nelson said. "I'm sure there are others like me; this is an opportunity to showcase yourself and your skills."

During the camp, participants take part in full court games while also working on skills such as shooting and ball-handling. There is a brief lecture on keys to getting recruited and what it means to be a student-athlete. Polk State currently has nine scholarships available for the 2023-24 season.

"Our camps do a good job of teaching attention to detail and give participants a feel for our terminology," Giles said. "You get a better grasp of the skill level, speed, and IQ that comes with playing at a higher level."

Brandon Giles Skills Camp

The longest basketball camp at Polk State is the Brandon Giles Skills Camp. The camp is open to boys and girls from first grade through high school who want to improve their basketball skills. In addition, it's a great place to meet like-minded individuals in the community who could turn into lifelong friends. For Polk State players, however, it is a chance to mentor youngsters and introduce themselves to the community.

"We like to have our student-athletes work the camp," Giles said. "It gives them a sense of what our program is all about. It also welcomes them into our community and gives them an opportunity to give back."

Giles noted that some players continued to mentor the youngsters they met at last year's camp. This year's camp takes place daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from July 10-13. The camp is $200, but participants will receive a discount if they register before May 15.

"Even though we didn't win the way we wanted to this season, these camps give our players something to feel good about and a chance to make a positive impact," Giles added.

Tuition includes lunch, a camp T-shirt, a basketball, and an Eagle Basketball Playbook to Success. The camp will also feature special guests and the opportunity to win awards. For more information or to sign up for either camp, visit www.brandongilesskillscamps.com.