XENIA, Ohio – ACU junior guard
Payten Ricks is participating in the Captains Academy, hosted by Athletes in Action Basketball, a camp for NCAA Division I men's basketball captains and emerging leaders. Ricks is one of 17 players from 14 universities across the country chosen to participate in this year's camp.
This year's camp at the AIA headquarters began late Thursday and runs through Monday, May 13. The purpose of the Academy is to equip, empower, and encourage student-athletes to be competent, confident, effective team leaders.
Clark Kellogg (CBS Sports) and a good array of NBA and former college captains headline the experience for the players. The Academy is driven and supported by a fine AIA Staff.
"This is a huge opportunity to not only grow and develop leadership skills and grow as a player, it's most importantly an opportunity to grow in my faith," Ricks said. "They told us to bring our Bibles because 'it's the greatest manual to study leadership' and when I read that I got really excited. This camp will teach me how to better lead my team on and off the court. I'm thankful for this opportunity and look to take full advantage of absorbing everything I can to grow in all aspects."
Ricks started all 34 games last season for an ACU team that finished second in the Southland Conference regular-season standings, but won the conference postseason tournament to earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. Ricks — who was an honorable mention All-Southland Conference selection – was voted to the all-tournament team in Katy after averaging 15.0 points per game in the Wildcats' two victories.
For the season, Ricks averaged 11.6 png and hit 39.5 percent of his 3-point shots on the season (81 of 205). He also collected 57 steals and dished out 65 assists from the shooting guard spot.
Participants in this year's camp will engage in a variety of activities including personality testing, team-building exercises, conflict management techniques, case studies in leadership, cohort group breakdowns, communication lessons, and interviews with established leaders in business, sport, and the military. Attendees will develop a deeper view of leadership as identity as well as expand the scope of their leadership understanding in the areas of activity and service.
"We'll be hearing from professionals and some great examples to follow as men who are taking a leadership role," Ricks said. "We'll also be doing some challenging activities outdoors that I'm sure will test our leadership capabilities. We'll also get to play a little ball every night when the day is over. I'm very blessed to be given this opportunity."
Joining Ricks at this year's camp are Damani Applewhite (South Carolina State), James Baker (Morehead State), Lamar Baldwin (Butler), Adam Bullard (Gardner Webb), Deontaye Busked (Charleston Southern), Donel Cathcart (Youngstown State), Caleb Catto (Florida Gulf Coast), Caanan Gassmann (Central Florida), Jaylon Hall (Wright State), Djimon Henson (Morehead State), Nat Johnson (Gardner Webb), Dalon King (Cleveland State), Darius Quisenberry (Youngstown State), Cedric Russell (Louisiana-Lafayette), Tre Scott (Cincinnati), Jelani Simmons (Youngstown State), CJ Walker (Ohio State), Javan White (Missouri-Kansas City), and Camren Winter (Drexel).
