Detroit News - Computer Helps OU Master Basketball Shots

By Steve Stein - Detroit News

Oakland first Midwest university to purchase arc analyzing system.

ROYAL OAK — What was Noah’s arc? That’s a question for biblical scholars. Oakland University basketball Coach Greg Kampe is more concerned about the shooting arc of his players.

That’s why Oakland became the first Midwest university to purchase the $20,000 Noah basketball shooting system.

Kampe was joined by Noah CEO John Carter, Midwest distributor Paul Galbenski, a handful of Oakland players and Assistant Coach Jeff Tungate last week when the system was installed at the O’Rena on the Rochester Hills campus.

Galbenski, a Royal Oak resident, also is the boys basketball coach at Royal Oak Kimball High School.

The system — a combination camera, computer and speaker — helps players by analyzing the arc of their shot. The goal is to build a consistent arc and strong muscle memory, the most difficult parts of a shot for players to master.

Galbenski said he first found out about Noah from his brother, Dave, who read a story about the system in the Feb. 7, 2003, edition of USA TODAY.

The story described how Noah developed from brainstorming sessions of three basketball playing friends who live in Silicon Valley in California. The system has been on the market a little more than a year.

“Dave and I always wanted to work together on a business venture and this seemed like a perfect fit because of his business background and my coaching background,” Paul Galbenski said.

Dave Galbenski is the president of Royal Oak-based Contract Counsel. The firm provides temporary employment, contract work and job placement for lawyers, legal assistants and legal secretaries.

Paul Galbenski is the only Noah distributor who’s also a high school basketball coach. The others are former coaches, players or businessmen.

“We have a Noah system at Kimball that my brother and I purchased, and I plan on utilizing it to train players in our boys and girls programs,” Paul Galbenski said.

Noah sits at the side of the court, focused on a player practicing shots. It announces the arc of each shot, then provides an instant visual summary of average arc and consistency after a predetermined number of shots.

The arc is the angle in which a shot descends into the basket. If a hoop had eyes, that’s what it would be seeing.

Kampe wants to see his team’s shooting improve. “Technology is improving in every area of life and you need it to stay current,” Kampe said.

“Shooting is such an important part of basketball and this is the best innovation I’ve seen to help a player because it teaches like a coach. I’m always preaching shooting with a consistent high arc. This quantifies what I’ve been saying.”

Kampe’s teams have been known for their outstanding shooting, but last year’s squad was chilly at the free throw line, hitting just 65 percent as the Golden Grizzlies struggled to a 13-17 record.

“Of course the system doesn’t take into account the pressure a player feels during a game, but hopefully it’ll give him the confidence to get the job done,” Kampe said.

Professional NBA teams Dallas, Golden State and San Antonio use Noah, as do several colleges and high schools.