How much are you willing to give to pursue a dream that seems almost out of reach—and to become a better version of yourself?
From January 29 to 31, Advance Basketball Academy hosted the Asia Elite Basketball Camp, led by renowned NBA skills trainer Shawn Faust. The camp brought together young basketball players from around the world, each driven by a shared passion for the game and a desire to grow. Among them was Kimberly Lin Chan, a 14-year-old Taiwanese-Brazilian girl who traveled more than 30 hours across half the globe from Brazil to Taiwan, all for the opportunity to train at a higher level and move one step closer to her dream.
Kimberly is currently a ninth-grade student from São Paulo, Brazil. Both she and her parents were born and raised in Brazil, and this training camp marked her very first visit to Taiwan.
Her basketball journey began at the age of eight, sparked by watching NBA games with her father at home. “My dad told me it was basketball and said he could teach me,” Kimberly recalled. “I immediately said yes.” With her father’s guidance and support, she began formal training at Palmeiras, one of Brazil’s most well-known sports clubs, and Centro Olímpico, gradually stepping onto a competitive basketball pathway.
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As she grew up, Kimberly balanced academics with various extracurricular activities, including chess, piano, and school coursework. However, at the age of ten, she made a defining decision—to set aside her other interests and fully commit to basketball. At thirteen, she suffered a fractured pinky finger on her right hand during a school competition, forcing her to rest for two months and creating a major turning point in her development.
“That period was extremely difficult,” she said. “I was playing really well before the injury, but after returning, everything had to start over.”
Determined to catch up, Kimberly continued training throughout every school break, gradually regaining her rhythm. Although fear of re-injury initially affected her confidence when driving to the basket, she used that time to focus on improving her shooting, ultimately becoming a more complete player.
Now 14 years old, Kimberly chose to leave her previous team as part of her long-term development plan and came to Taiwan to participate in the Asia Elite Basketball Camp. Her goals extended beyond basketball skills—she also hoped to learn Mandarin and broaden her international perspective.
Speaking about the training led by Shawn Faust, Kimberly described the experience as transformative.
“The intensity and level of knowledge were completely different from what I’ve experienced before,” she said. “Training alongside so many talented and hardworking coaches made this an incredibly special opportunity.”
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Shawn Faust: Guiding Players Beyond the Game
Shawn Faust, the camp’s lead trainer, is a highly respected NBA skills coach with extensive experience working with NBA, NCAA, and elite international players. Known for his holistic approach, Faust emphasizes not only technical skill development and physical performance, but also mindset, basketball IQ, and character growth.
Throughout the Asia Elite Basketball Camp, Faust provided high-intensity training, detailed instruction, and individualized feedback—helping players improve not only how they play, but also why they play.
Lessons That Go Beyond Basketball
Beyond technical development, the camp gave Kimberly a deeper understanding of both basketball and life.
She shared that she learned how people who appear in your life only briefly can sometimes have a greater impact than those you’ve known for years; how a single decision or moment can completely change the direction of one’s life; and how one person’s actions can profoundly influence another.
She also spoke about the importance of her parents.
“At the most critical moments in life, having your parents’ support helps you understand that whether you succeed or fail, they will always be there for you.”
She added that once she realized other people’s opinions only matter if you allow them to, her perspective shifted dramatically. She now believes that a lifetime of dedication and commitment from one person can become a powerful source of inspiration for another.
During the camp, Kimberly experienced something new—feeling truly recognized.
“For the first time, I felt seen—not questioned because I’m a girl, but acknowledged as a player with ability and dreams.”
She expressed special gratitude to Shawn Faust for his daily encouragement and guidance, which helped her rebuild confidence and believe in her ability to keep improving and pushing forward.
When it comes to basketball role models, Kimberly admires Paige Bueckers and Sabrina Ionescu, but she emphasized that the person who has influenced her the most has always been her father, who has supported her every step of the way.
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Looking ahead, Kimberly has clear goals. She hopes to build a stable and sustainable basketball career and one day compete on the WNBA stage. Even if she does not become a professional player, she aspires to become a coach or physical education teacher, passing on the passion and values basketball has given her to the next generation.
Through the Asia Elite Basketball Camp, Kimberly not only elevated her game but also reaffirmed her direction. As she has come to realize, a single choice or experience can open an entirely new chapter in life.
Asia Elite Basketball Camp (AEBC)
Asia Elite Basketball Camp (AEBC) is the most professionally structured and high-level basketball training camp in Asia. Led by renowned NBA player development coaches, AEBC offers NBA-caliber training to basketball enthusiasts and players of all levels.
More than just a high-intensity training experience, AEBC serves as a global platform for player development and international exchange. Participants range in age from 7 to 50 and come from over 10 countries and 20 cities, including student-athletes, amateur players, sports professionals, and even current professional athletes.
AEBC runs three major sessions annually—in January, April, and July—corresponding with in-season, off-season, and pre-season periods. Each camp delivers targeted training content based on the basketball calendar, evolving beyond a traditional camp into a year-round player development system. This structure supports consistent short-, mid-, and long-term growth.
Over the past five years, AEBC has inspired and impacted more than 1,000 athletes, helping them grow on and off the court and take meaningful steps in their basketball journeys. Official Website
Advance Basketball Academy
Advance Basketball Academy was founded in 2020 in Taipei, Taiwan. By collaborating with world-class coaches, trainers, and sports professionals, the academy supports club and player development, striving to elevate the level of basketball in Asia.
