KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Former NBA player and current Utah Jazz coach Jason Terry used his own basketball experience this week to host a boys' and girls' basketball and mental health camp at Hickman Mills Middle School in Kansas City.
“There's no greater confidence than the confidence you have in yourself,” said Terry, who played for 20 years with various NBA teams.
The camp included players ranging in age from 8 to 18. The basketball lessons varied depending on age and skill level, but all participants were taught the importance of mental health for athletes.
Leading those discussions was sports psychologist Dr. Kweku Smith, who returned to the U.S. just two days before the training camp after spending 20 days in Paris supporting the U.S. team.
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Dr. Kweku Smith
“I was really tired, but when I got the call from Hickman Middle School, I said, 'I have to be here for the kids,'” Smith said.
Smith said the first thing he taught the campers was to have fun, then he focused on how to perform at their best and how to overcome when they don't perform at their best.
“I want them to know that even the strongest people ask for help when they need it,” Smith said.
Kambly, a fifth-grader, has been playing basketball for three years and has big dreams.
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Cambry Walker
“I want to be an NBA star,” she said.
Cambry's mother, Chasha Walker, said the camp is important to the Hickman Mills community.
“Just seeing all these young people come together means a lot. It's something motivating for them,” Walker said.
In addition to dribbling and shooting drills, Cambry also learned some mental health tips.
“It's just a game, there's no need to get upset,” she said.
For Terry, the camp brought back memories of his childhood attending basketball camps.
“I'm just one of many people that have been affected by this, so my mission and purpose now is to inspire people and give them hope,” Terry said.
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