Great Bay,– What does a 6’8”, 254lbs, giant of a pro-basket ball player do off the court in off season? If your nickname is “El Train”, you round up a group of lifelong friends, jump on a plane, and jet to The Friendly Island, of course. That’s exactly what Philadelphia 76ers superstar, Elton Tyron Brand did last week.
He came, he saw, he liked it, and vows he’ll be back with some of his NBA stars to conduct a clinic for young St. Maarteners who nurture hoop dreams.
“We were happy to have Elton Brand choose St. Maarten as his vacation destination and are even more thrilled to have him commit verbally to return with some of his NBA friends to teach our kids what it takes to be a basketball star,” said Commissioner Frans Richardson who is in charge of tourism.
Brand came down with his friends for a well-deserved R&R after a grueling NBA season.
“St. Maarten is an ideal place for professional athletes, performing under pressure for most of the year, week after week, to come down and unwind,” said Director of Tourism, Regina LaBega.
“Professional basketball players are usually role models for our youth, and to have someone of the caliber of Elton Brand decide to come back for a basketball clinic on our island will not only be a big boost to the sport, but also attract others to consider spending their free time with us,” she added.
Commissioner Frans Richardson was even more upbeat. “This is not only about sports tourism; it is about inspiring our youth to shoot for the stars and dream big,” he stressed.
Elton Brand, the Sixers power forward, came to St. Maarten under the auspices of Tantra Night Club, where he and his friends partied over the weekend, with a DJ he brought specially for the occasion from the US.