The best part of summer started the right way for nearly two hundred kids over the weekend. They had the opportunity to create fond memories by spending the first two days of July playing basketball with Grant Williams at his home. ProCamps event.
As parents and children filled the Boston University basketball court, the atmosphere was tense with anticipation as everyone awaited Williams’ introduction. Finally the time came, and cheers broke out from all the children as Grant galloped through the crowd, making his way to the front. Williams jumped on the mic as fast as he could and started getting the audience excited. The power in the building was electric as the kids split into their own teams to start camp.
Once the kids are in groups, they start working on different basketball drills. Some involved footwork, while others worked dribbling lines and layups. Williams walked throughout the entire camp, making sure to have fun with each group before moving on to the next. As he made his way from one team to the next, everyone was smiling and laughing. Grant was incredibly generous as he coached the kids through their drills, and the kids were totally excited trying to show him off.
“It means the world! It shows it’s achievable. That’s the way I look at it. When I was that age, I was in camps like that. Kemba Walker, DJ Augustine, those are all in the past,” said Williams About being an inspiration to these kids.
“I remember thinking about these moments, remembering the conversations I had with these guys, or even if they shook my hand, it would mean the world to me. I try to come here with great joy and I try to show them that I am here for them, just as they are here for me.” .
After Williams worked with all the teams scattered throughout the entire gym, it was time to go one-on-one against a handful of lucky campers. Williams blocked the first opponent’s shot completely, while another managed to make a very terrifying mistake, before winning a free throw. Of course, Grant complained to the referee, prompting laughter from the crowd.
The kids split into their teams and started playing five games against each other. Each team had a few substitutions, so everyone got a chance to play. When the games began, Williams made his way to each team, advising and mentoring everyone involved in the camp.
The first day of camp came and went, and all the campers went home as they prepared themselves to come back for the second day to try new workouts, make new teams, and make new friends. Each child who attended camp left with a group photo complete with Grant, an autographed keepsake, and a limited-edition T-shirt.
At the end of it all, each child was able to leave Camp Grant with an unforgettable memory. For some of these kids, this camp was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and for others, it was the exact kind of motivation they needed to fulfill their dreams of being in the NBA one day. One thing is for sure though, this was as good for Grant as it was for all campers.