When Coach Bo told me in the spring of my son’s sophomore year that he was good enough to become “Mr. Georgia Basketball,” I had to bite my lip to keep from smiling. I wanted to say “Bo, I have already bought into your program. You don’t have to keep selling me.” We had been working with Bo about eight months at that point.
I knew that my son had all the athletic ability in the world, but he would need to make a tremendous leap in skill and confidence to reach such a lofty goal. It seemed like a dream that was simply out of reach for him.
We have worked with a lot of camps and “skill coaches” over the years and Norris “Bo” Bell is definitely one of the best. In addition to teaching basketball skills, Bo has a unique ability to reinforce what a kid does well, build on it, and draw out his or her inner confidence. Bo builds confidence!
After leading his Westlake team to the 2010 Georgia AAAAA championship game, my son reached that lofty goal. In March 2010 Marcus Thornton was named Georgia player of the year, “Mr. Georgia Basketball,” by both the Atlanta Tip-Off Club and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Marcus would have never reached this goal without the efforts of Coach Norris “Bo” Bell.
Billy Thornton, PhD.
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To whom is may concern,
My Name is Odette Russell, and I am the parent of Khalid "K" Mutakabbir (Peachtree Ridge HS junior), who participated in the October 13, 2007 "Ga Stars' First Annual Evaluation Exposure Camp". I stayed and watched during most of this function and observed a very well organized and beneficial event for my son. They started with mind and body development through lectures and fundamental skills training, which are the true pillars of basketball. They then spilt the players into teams and had the teams play each other. By the end of the day, each participant played within 5 to 6 games. Each ga me shifted the teams to be observed by a new group of coaches. Films and photographs were taking, documenting the event and allowing the coaches to evaluate each player. Documentation of the event will be distributed to each player as they will be receiving a report on their strengths and needed improvements. These reports will also be distributed to 300 nationwide colleges for them to review and consider for scholarships. This event only cost $85.00 and is well worth the amount. This is what we need to get my son exposed to the right colleges.
From my understanding each player was personally invited to participate in this event. These players were well mannered and carried themselves with good sportsmanship. On a personal note, I am a 5th degree Black Belt and discipline, focus and heart are the main attributes that are required from my students, as well as from my son. These attributes I also saw within these young men that were at this function.
I would not only recommend this camp to any well deserving child who has the love for basketball, but I would also not hesitate to have my son participate
again and again.
I am very thankful that Coach Bo allowed my son to be a part of this wonderful event, and we look forward to his evaluation.
Best Regards,
Odette Russell
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Coach Bell, I would like to thank you for making me not only the player I am today, but most of all for making me the man I am today. I can still remember the first day you saw me play in my back yard in Warrenton, GA. You told me that I could play for you but that I would have to work very hard. I agreed to try out for the team in Atlanta. I'll admit I was intimidated when I arrived at the try out and saw the level of talent there. In the beginning, I spend my time at the end of the bench, and I started to wonder what I was doing there. I remembered that you told me to work hard, listen, and stay humble. I did what you t old me and slowly began to see major improvements in my playing. When I returned to high school and started playing against the other high school teams, I realized that you were right when you said practice is the key to the game. I played on my school team and AAU throughout high school and it was a great deal of hard work. After all of the two-a-days and extra practices on weekends and break from school, I found myself being the all time leading scorer and re bounder at my high school. I'll never forget how I felt when I received a full scholarship to Marist College. During my time at Marist, I continued to improve my basketball skills and I served as team captain for two years. Coach Bell, you are a very special person and I truly admire the heart and dedication you put into helping young kids to be successful in the game of basketball and in life. Sometimes I still look back and wonder were my life would be if you hadn't seen me play basket ball in my backyard all those years ago.
Thank you,
Dennis Young
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This is the third year that I've worked with Coach Bell. His experience in basketball has helped me with my maturity and "people skills." He's helped my shot tremendously, as well as my vision on the court.
--Louis Williams, South Gwinnett High School
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There's been nothing but great things for me since I started working with Coach Bell. He's helped me become a better player and a better person off the court.
--Sharaud Curry, Wheeler High School
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Coach Norman & Coach Bo,
This is Joe (Billy Humphrey's dad). Just thought I'd take a quick minute to say "thanks" for the opportunity you gave our son a few years ago to participate in the Georgia Stars basketball program. In your mission statement, it says "The program will provide the best competition possible and the best exposure possible". As I reflect upon Billy's basketball career, I believe a defining moment came through the "exposure" as well as the "competition" he received through the Ga Stars program.
Prior to joining the Ga. Stars, Billy had flown "under the radar", not really drawing the attention of major colleges. Other Atl high school players were receiving much attention (i.e. Dwight Howard, Randolph Morris, Louis Williams, etc.). Billy had some looks/offers from some decent programs & Universities but it was "immediately" after a particular Ga Stars game that really thrust Billy into the national limelight. That game came in the 2004 "Kingwood Classic" in Houston. Billy led all-scorers with 20 pts to help his team win the championship game.
On the back of the Ga. Stars warm-up jersey it said "Team first, me second", and the Ga. Stars always played as a "team" (despite the tremendous amount of individual talent, skills & athleticism each player possessed).
First, I'd like to address the "exposure" that the Ga Stars program offered Billy. The Ga Stars played against the Spiece Indy Heat in front of almost every major D1 Coach in the country. It was not only a sort of "all star" game with all of the talent playing in that game (i.e. Greg Oden, Louis Williams, Josh McRoberts, etc.) but it was also an "All-Star" spectator selection of the most famous faces in college basketball coaching.
Although Billy's mom & I were not able to make that particular game, I remember meeting you guys at the airport after you flew back from Houston that night with the Championship trophy. You & coach Bo came over & told me how great Billy played that night & to be ready for all of the attention/recruiting that would soon follow. You guys mentioned that our phone would be "ringing off the hook", and you were definitely right!
Billy had captured the interest of Billy Donovan, Paul Hewitt, Skip Prosser, and many more notable, major D1 Coaches & programs throughout the country. Coaches began flying in from around the county to recruit him (coming to his H.S. games at Dacula to watch him play, speaking with his H.S. coach, and speaking with us & Billy as well). I can remember receiving a phone call from Skip Prosser one Sunday afternoon. He was very interested in Billy and he spent at least an hour on the phone with me. After we finished the conversation & hung up, I thought to myself "wow, that was the head Coach of Wake Forest". Billy Donovan flew in to watch Billy's game against Norcross H.S. and he certainly spent some time & effort recruiting Billy as well. After all was said & done, Billy selected the University of Ga. under Coach Dennis Felton (who had also been heavily recruiting him).
While of course UGA is still in a rebuilding mode, they have turned that program completely around are now actually on the verge of an NCAA tournament berth (with the help of a couple previous Ga Stars: Billy & Mike Mercer).
Anyway, that's enough about the "exposure" Billy rec'd from being a part of the Ga. Stars basketball program, now lets look at the "competition" that your mission statement refers to. Just in this one particular game, here are the names of just some of the other kids Billy played with/against & their points for this game:
Billy Humphrey / 20 pts / Ga Stars / now with Univ. of Ga
Louis Williams /10 pts / Ga Stars / now with the Philadelphia 76'ers
Greg Oden / 14 pts / Spiece Indy Heat / now with Ohio State
Mike Conley Jr / 7 pts / Spiece Indy Heat / now with Ohio State
Josh McRoberts / 6 pts / Spiece Indy heat / now with Duke
Mike Mercer / 10 pts / Ga. Stars / now with Univ. of Ga.
(and the list goes on...)
Championship Game Final Score: Georgia Stars 65, Spiece Indy Heat 62
As evidenced above, I would definitely say the you have successfully achieved your mission statement aspects of "exposure" and "competition". Your program has also contributed in preparing Billy for college as well as being a good person & productive member of society (outside of B-Ball).
Again, thank you Coach Norman, Coach Bo and the Georgia Stars basketball program. It has truly been a Blessing to our son (who is now in the starting line-up for UGA replacing his roommate, good friend, and also former Georgia Star teammate, Mike Mercer, who recently suffered a knee injury).
For details on that championship game of the 2004 Kingwood Classic in Houston, click on the link below:
http://scouthoops.scout.com/2/254894.html
After Billy became a Ga Star in his Junior year of high school at Dacula, he went on to his senior year to lead ALL scorers in the entire state of Ga, averaging over 30 pts per game.
Wherever Billy's career may take him in the future (i.e. NBA, business world, etc.), he'll always be a "Georgia Star"!
We all (Billy, his mom & I) appreciate what your program has done for Billy & we all have wonderful things to say about the Ga Stars program. I currently have a young, talented kid on our youth basketball church team that I will be referring to you & the Ga Stars program. I spent some time last night telling his Mom many great things about you, Coach Bo, and the Ga Stars program & encouraged her to contact you.
I hope & pray for continued success for you, Coach Bo, your families & the entire Ga Stars basketball program. I will certainly say hi to you the next time I see you at one of the UGA games.
Have a Blessed & highly favored day.
In Christ,
Joe Bunch
