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Wilkins’ basketball camp a slam dunk
By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
Donovan Forbes certainly got the message that Damien Wilkins and Francis Williams were trying to get across.
“I want to keep my grades up, get out of high school, graduate and go to college,” said Forbes, 14.
Forbes, who will be attending Washington High School, was one of over 100 campers to participate in Wilkins’ second annual basketball camp, held Friday at P.S. Jones Middle School.
Wilkins, a Washington native and a star with the Seattle SuperSonics, was happy to return home and hold the basketball camp. He’s looking to return the camp to a one-week format next year.
“The camp went great,” Wilkins said. “I wish so much for these kids that I could do this for an entire week. We’re definitely going to do it for an entire week next year.
“The turnout was great. I didn’t anticipate this many kids coming, but it was great. They showed a lot of energy, showed a lot of enthusiasm and, hopefully, they can walk away saying they learned one thing. Most importantly, it was a day for them to have fun.”
Wilkins, who worked up a sweat during the camp, said he enjoyed himself.
“I had a great time,” Wilkins said. “I’m wore out right now.”
Sisters Rachel and Jordan Cantrell were glad they went to the camp.
“I learned better techniques,” said Rachel Cantrell, who will be a freshman at Washington High School next year. “It was a good experience.”
Jordan Cantrell, a rising senior at Washington High School, was impressed Wilkins continues to return home.
“It was pretty exciting to have somebody like (Wilkins) come to little Washington,” Jordan Cantrell said.
James Williams, 13, won a Wilkins’ jersey during the morning session for younger campers.
“It was great,” said James Williams, who will attend P.S. Jones in the fall. “Mostly, I had fun. That’s why I came out.”
Francis Williams, the camp director, was pleased with the day’s events.
“It was a good turnout,” Francis Williams said. “We really wanted to talk to them about some of the fundamental things of the game. We worked on footwork, we shot layups, we shot outside shots, we did some drills where we worked on ball handling and really talked to them about focus and paying attention, which they can use not just on the court, but off the court.”
The camp director, who won state high school championships as both a player and a coach, is happy he can impart some of his wisdom on to the younger generation.
“I’m one of those that believes in giving back,” Francis Williams said. “The whole thought that it takes a village to raise a child, I take that philosophy. Any of the knowledge that I’ve been blessed to have people share with me, I’m always trying to share that, especially with young people.
“I tell the kids that I want their goal to be to attend college and to graduate from college. If there are settings like this that will motivate them to aspire for a higher goal, ultimately, that’s what this is all about.”
Dakuan Spencer, who goes to Washington High School, was happy to take in that knowledge. He was also grateful that Wilkins held the camp.
“It’s good to meet him,” Spencer said. “When he comes back and helps us, it helps us on our game more and then we’ll learn even more when we get to school ball.”
Spencer’s Pam Pack teammate, Mike Godley, was equally impressed with Wilkins.
“This just says he’s a great guy,” Godley said. “I just wanted to learn more from Damien.”
Calvin Daniels, the Pam Pack’s all-time leading scorer, helped Wilkins out during the camp.
“It feels really good to come out and help Damien and help the kids work on their fundamentals,” said Daniels, who will be playing basketball at Elizabeth City State University next season. “I love being a part of this.
“I know all the kids look up to (Wilkins) so this means a lot. I’m having a great time out here watching the kids. I would love to have something like this one day. Hopefully, I’ll get to the NBA and be able to do this one day.”
A few coaches from the area, including Washington Pam Pack boys’ coach Joe Lawrence and Southside High School girls’ coach Bill Lake, assisted at the camp.
“It means a lot (for them to help),” Wilkins said. “They came out on their own dime and just volunteered their time. Time is something that you can’t get back once you give it.
“I really appreciate that. It shows that they’re committed to the community and to these kids. It was great to have them come out and give their support and their time.”
All in all, the camp was a slam dunk.
“I want to keep my grades up, get out of high school, graduate and go to college,” said Forbes, 14.
Forbes, who will be attending Washington High School, was one of over 100 campers to participate in Wilkins’ second annual basketball camp, held Friday at P.S. Jones Middle School.
Wilkins, a Washington native and a star with the Seattle SuperSonics, was happy to return home and hold the basketball camp. He’s looking to return the camp to a one-week format next year.
“The camp went great,” Wilkins said. “I wish so much for these kids that I could do this for an entire week. We’re definitely going to do it for an entire week next year.
“The turnout was great. I didn’t anticipate this many kids coming, but it was great. They showed a lot of energy, showed a lot of enthusiasm and, hopefully, they can walk away saying they learned one thing. Most importantly, it was a day for them to have fun.”
Wilkins, who worked up a sweat during the camp, said he enjoyed himself.
“I had a great time,” Wilkins said. “I’m wore out right now.”
Sisters Rachel and Jordan Cantrell were glad they went to the camp.
“I learned better techniques,” said Rachel Cantrell, who will be a freshman at Washington High School next year. “It was a good experience.”
Jordan Cantrell, a rising senior at Washington High School, was impressed Wilkins continues to return home.
“It was pretty exciting to have somebody like (Wilkins) come to little Washington,” Jordan Cantrell said.
James Williams, 13, won a Wilkins’ jersey during the morning session for younger campers.
“It was great,” said James Williams, who will attend P.S. Jones in the fall. “Mostly, I had fun. That’s why I came out.”
Francis Williams, the camp director, was pleased with the day’s events.
“It was a good turnout,” Francis Williams said. “We really wanted to talk to them about some of the fundamental things of the game. We worked on footwork, we shot layups, we shot outside shots, we did some drills where we worked on ball handling and really talked to them about focus and paying attention, which they can use not just on the court, but off the court.”
The camp director, who won state high school championships as both a player and a coach, is happy he can impart some of his wisdom on to the younger generation.
“I’m one of those that believes in giving back,” Francis Williams said. “The whole thought that it takes a village to raise a child, I take that philosophy. Any of the knowledge that I’ve been blessed to have people share with me, I’m always trying to share that, especially with young people.
“I tell the kids that I want their goal to be to attend college and to graduate from college. If there are settings like this that will motivate them to aspire for a higher goal, ultimately, that’s what this is all about.”
Dakuan Spencer, who goes to Washington High School, was happy to take in that knowledge. He was also grateful that Wilkins held the camp.
“It’s good to meet him,” Spencer said. “When he comes back and helps us, it helps us on our game more and then we’ll learn even more when we get to school ball.”
Spencer’s Pam Pack teammate, Mike Godley, was equally impressed with Wilkins.
“This just says he’s a great guy,” Godley said. “I just wanted to learn more from Damien.”
Calvin Daniels, the Pam Pack’s all-time leading scorer, helped Wilkins out during the camp.
“It feels really good to come out and help Damien and help the kids work on their fundamentals,” said Daniels, who will be playing basketball at Elizabeth City State University next season. “I love being a part of this.
“I know all the kids look up to (Wilkins) so this means a lot. I’m having a great time out here watching the kids. I would love to have something like this one day. Hopefully, I’ll get to the NBA and be able to do this one day.”
A few coaches from the area, including Washington Pam Pack boys’ coach Joe Lawrence and Southside High School girls’ coach Bill Lake, assisted at the camp.
“It means a lot (for them to help),” Wilkins said. “They came out on their own dime and just volunteered their time. Time is something that you can’t get back once you give it.
“I really appreciate that. It shows that they’re committed to the community and to these kids. It was great to have them come out and give their support and their time.”
All in all, the camp was a slam dunk.
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| Crawford lends a hand and a laugh |
