Jan. 11, 2017

POWAY -- The USD men's basketball team made their way up to Poway last night for their annual clinic with the Poway Youth Basketball League Challenged Division at Meadowbrook Middle School. This annual tradition with USD and PYBL started eight years ago, and the fun event is a highlight each year for USD coaches and players, as well as all of the PYBL participants.

"I think our guys understand that they are blessed," said head coach Lamont Smith. "We talk about it all the time; we have a tremendous platform to not only do what we do but also to affect other peoples' lives. So to come out here and be able to share an hour with this special group is just incredible for us."

The Toreros ran the PYBL players through some warm-up exercises, and then broke up into stations at the various baskets for individual drills for shooting, rebounding and dribbling. The evening ended with some spirited three-point contests and half-court shots, and was capped off by USD players and coaches signing autographs on USD basketball posters.

The PYBL Challenged Division, which is in its 26th year of existence, is open to all players with intellectual disabilities. The division has grown from a handful of players to more than 100 participants. The PYBL Challenged Division players, along with family members, will attend an upcoming USD basketball game in February.