Wilkins excited to be home, ready for hoop camp

Published 5:46 am Friday, June 20, 2008

By Staff
By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
As Damien Wilkins waited for media members to gather their belongings and prepare for an interview, he sank 3-pointer and after 3-pointer — nothing but nylon every time.
A star with the Seattle SuperSonics, and a Washington native, Wilkins will be passing on some of his knowledge to area kids. Wilkins will host a basketball camp today at P.S. Jones Middle School.
Wilkins will follow that up with his fourth annual “Fun Day” celebration on Saturday. The event, which will include a “Show Me What You Got” contest, will run from 2 to 6 p.m. in the field across from the Boys &Girls Club on Bridge Street.
While the “Fun Day” event is for every person in the community, Wilkins’ focal point has always been on the kids.
Wilkins said he feels blessed that he’s able to give back, both with money and his time.
Sarah Hodges, Public Information Officer with Beaufort County Schools, said the school system is happy Wilkins is giving back to the kids.
Wilkins is anticipating 100 campers at today’s basketball camp. The first session for those in grades six through eight will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Campers are asked to report to the gym by 9:30 a.m.
The camp’s second session, for those in grades nine through 12, will run from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Campers are expected to report by 2 p.m.
Francis Williams, who is spearheading the camp, said the focus will be on fundamentals.
Campers won’t be going home with just the skills they learned at the camp. They’ll also get a DYNAMIC Foundation T-shirt, a Damien Wilkins Camp T-shirt provided by Adidas and prizes for some special campers.