Aug. 17, 2011

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - This is the third in a series of blog entries by senior forward Sandrine Nzeukou during her attempt to make the Cameroon National Team.

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Since from the fourth of August to the 14th, I've been in what is called an external camp. Essentially that means that the 17 girls that were trying out for the team at the time would have to provide their own lodging unless they were not locals of the city of Yaounde, where the camp is being held.

I stayed with my uncle and our family for the first four days until they could house me in the Hotel Des Deputes which is only a couple minutes from the stadium where we train. So an average day of camp would start with a wake-up call at around 8:45 am and I would grab a granola bar for practice at 10. Me and the other four girls who were at the hotel would squeeze into a cab and head to Palais de Sports.

After a two-hour practice we would then walk from the gym to a restaurant just outside of Yaounde's own Central Park. After a buffet lunch consisting of a few different Cameroonian dishes we would head back to the hotel and hang out/sleep until the next practice at 5 pm. After that practice we would head to the same restaurant for dinner and usually eat alongside the men's team that was also training at the same facilities.

My first time eating with the men's team I was excited to see a familiar face, Gaston Essengue, a former UNLV Runnin' Rebel. He not only made the team for another year but he is the captain and is with his team in Madagascar fighting for the AfroBasket Championship. After eating, we would head back to the hotel and either sleep, see the trainer, or hang out with our teammates or family.