Friday, March 29, 2024

Former WNBA player gives back with free basketball camps

Former WNBA player gives back with free basketball camps
Skillz Camp director Ryneldi Becenti looks on as camper Kyla Franklin, 7, works on her dribbling during a free camp held twice a week by Becenti. Becenti started the camp in early March and continues to host it on Tuesday and Thursdays at Dine College Shiprock Campus. (Times photo – Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi)

Skillz Camp director Ryneldi Becenti looks on as camper Kyla Franklin, 7, works on her dribbling during a free camp held twice a week by Becenti. Becenti started the camp in early March and continues to host it on Tuesday and Thursdays at Dine College Shiprock Campus. (Times photo – Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi)

SHIPROCK, N.M.

Every afternoon, Ryneldi Becenti would play a few pick-up games at the Diné College gymnasium in Shiprock, and just as she made her way out of the facility, she’d take one last look at the empty gym she left every evening around 5 o’clock.

The gym stayed open until 7 p.m., which is why Becenti never understood why it was empty.

“I never saw kids in there,” she said. “We got done at five and there was nobody in the gym.”

At the beginning of March she decided to change that. She approached an administrator at the college and asked if she could hold a free camp.

The official agreed and now holds the “Skillz Camp,” a free camp for young athletes ages three to seniors in high school.

Becenti said it made sense for her to utilize the facility for something she already enjoys doing.

“I really have nothing to do and it’s my free time, and its something I should do,” she said. “I just want to make a footprint in some kid’s life. I really want kids to come back and say, ‘I got it down, I learned it, I’m getting better,’ – that makes me happy them just trying.

“I tell them, ‘Effort is all I want from you …’” she said.

It’s been about a month since Becenti held her first camp, and just last week dozens more arrived for their chance to learn from the best.


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About The Author

Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi

Sunnie Clahchischiligi has been the sports writer for the Navajo Times since 2008. She has a bachelor’s degree in print journalism from the University of New Mexico. Before joining the Times, she worked at the St. Cloud Times (Minn.), the Albuquerque Journal, the Santa Fe New Mexican, Sports Illustrated Magazine in New York City and the Salt Lake Tribune. She can be reached at sunnie@navajotimes.com or via cell at (505) 686-0769.

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