Canadian basketball coaches Luke Savoie and Taj Nalls arrived in Alabama after a more than 24‑hour journey from Canada, eager to take part in the Mark Sears Basketball Camp.
A Cross‑Border Pilgrimage for Basketball Inspiration
Savoie, who lives with cerebral palsy, described the experience as a 'dream come true' and said the smiles of the campers were the most rewarding part of the event.
Nalls, a rising high school senior who spent most of his basketball career in Canada, used the trip as an opportunity to return to Tuscaloosa for his final year and to seek guidance from Sears on refining his guard play.
Both coaches highlighted the Alabama star’s extraordinary work ethic, noting that Sears was already in the gym hours before the camp officially opened, setting a tone of dedication for everyone present.
Savoie left the camp with a clear takeaway: hard work truly does pay off, a lesson he plans to carry back to his own coaching and to the young athletes he mentors.