During the summer, children on break from school often hit sports camps to get physical activity in and also hone their skills. In 2020, that hit a horde of COVID-19. Two-time NBA Champion and Inside the NBA host Kenny “The Jet” Smith is looking to fill the void with The Jet Academy, a bi-weekly online hoops camp for children of all ages.
The Jet Academy will begin on July 20 at www.jetacademy.com and will bring in some of today’s biggest stars in the NBA and WNBA. Including “coaches” are 4-time NBA All-Star Kemba Walker (Boston Celtics), 2020 NBA All-Star starter Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks) and 2-time NBA All-Star Victor Oladipo (Indiana Pacers), along with WNBA MVP/9-time WNBA All-Star Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), WNBA MVP/WNBA Champion Breanna Stewart (Seattle Storm) and 6-time WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury).
Any device across the country will allow players to join the sessions with techniques for shooting, ball-handling, rebounding, and more. Pricing for the camps is $89 per month, $49 for a six-month membership ($294), and $29 per month for a yearly membership ($349).
The Jet Academy, through a partnership with iHeartRadio, will receive 10,080 spots through its network of 120 stations throughout the country for a two-week flight (6/29 – 7/12). The stations will give away 180 weekly memberships ($89 value/per membership) plus an exclusive Zoom coaching session with Kenny Smith and special guests for all winners to join (date and time TBD).
Smith’s fellow Inside the NBA analyst and 15-time NBA All-Star Shaquille O’Neal has stepped up in a big way by personally offering to provide a $35 discount to the first 10,000 kids who sign-up for the virtual camp by using the promotional code BIGSHAQ by July 5. American Express has also signed on to provide an exclusive $35 discount to its card members beginning Tuesday, July 7. Additionally, The Jet Academy will receive special in-game promotion on NBA2K with a special custom-made ad for three weeks (June 29 – July 19).
