Bag: Ballard recommends HoopSaq ($45.99, from SportSaq), a basketball-specific day-pack.
Wristband: Put one band high on your forearm, just like Mike.
Baseball Cap: Wear it backwards. "Worn frontwards, a cap blocks your line of sight."
Coordinates: $12.95. "Hoops Nation: A Guide to America's Best Pick-Up Basketball," Henry Holt, 888-330-8477, www.hholt.com
The options for advanced degrees in hoops have improved immeasurably in recent years. Weekend camps tend to be the most popular, but there are also evening courses.
Never Too Late Basketball Camp: Steve Bzomowski's empire now includes weekend camps in New Hampshire and California, as well as western Massachusetts, and weeknight courses in Boston, New York City, and Washington, DC.
Coordinates: Never Too Late Basketball Camps Inc., West Medford, Massachusetts, 888-685-4667, www.nevertoolate.com
Beyond Basketball: Led by Charlie Rosen, past coach of several Continental Basketball Association teams, this camp focuses on every aspect of the game -- including ways to bring team play into street hoops.
Coordinates: Beyond Basketball, Rhinebeck, New York, 800-944-1001
Sports Legends Fantasy Camp: A four-day, you-against-the-greats showdown featuring Otis Birdsong, George Gervin, Nate Archibald, and Bobby Jones.
Coordinates: Personalities International, Dallas, 800-937-5107
Contributing Editor Todd Balf (toddbalf@compuserve.com) also writes for Men's Journal and Sports Afield.
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