AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – More than 100 deserving kids from metro Detroit got the chance to see what it's like to be an NBA player for a day -- for free.
Thanks to the Detroit Pistons and HandleLife LLC, under-privileged kids from Detroit PAL, Detroit YMCA and Boys and Girls Club of Greater Flint spent a Saturday learning how to dribble, pass and dunk like pros at the HandleLife "Draft Camp," supported by Pistons' owner Tom Gores.
"I came from neighborhoods like these kids," said HandleLife Coach Johnny Stephene. "Tom (Gores) saw what I was doing in communities across the country and he wanted to bring us to Detroit."
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Besides time on the court, the kids received a tour of the Pistons' locker room and met Pistons' point guard Spencer Dinwiddie.
"We want to help build confidence on and off the court, since this is a camp most of these kids wouldn't have been able to attend otherwise," said Stephene.
While the HandleLife camp was a one day deal, the Pistons offer the same experience all summer long.
Pistons Academy
Pistons Academy will provide "NBA style" youth basketball programming that includes basketball camps, clinics, tournaments and leagues at various host sites throughout the state of Michigan.
"A great week is planned and we look forward to helping youngsters strengthen their basketball fundamentals while also reinforcing core character values and sportsmanship," said Geo Thomas, Director of Pistons Academy.
The price for the weekly camp is $220 and will include appearances by Hooper, the Pistons Drumline and the Pistons Flight Crew.
Next camp:
July 6-10
Franklin Athletic Club in Southfield
29350 Northwestern Hwy, Southfield, 48034
For registration information, please call 248-352-8000