One-on-one hoops with an NBA player. It's a dream for many basketball fans, but for a group of Kansas City kids, it's about to be a reality.
"I just love watching the ball go through the net. I love when it makes that noise," said Thomas Perry, 13.
Thomas and Cobe LaBron Taylor are among the 80 kids who will attend Willie Reed's one-day basketball camp this summer.
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"I want to get better at dribbling, and at shooting, and have a better attitude on the court," said Cobe, 9.
It's all because Brooklyn Nets center and Kansas City native Willie Reed will be back in the city to host a free basketball camp. The camp will be held on June 25 at MCC-Pen Valley Community College. NBA Champion Clay Johnson will also be in attendance.
"The basketball is important, but it's not important," said Johnson. "They're gonna get basketball all their life. But to know that somebody cares and wants to see them excel, and who knows, we may have one or two NBA players in the bunch."
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Children ages 9 to 13 will go through drills to improve their game. Reed said he hopes to increase the kids’ skills and confidence.
“I’m very excited to host a camp in my home town. I’ve always wanted to have a camp to be able to share my knowledge and what I’ve learned over the years,” said Reed. “My goal is to give the kids an opportunity to know that people do accomplish their dreams out of Kansas City."
Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Sly James even caught wind of Reed's good deed.
“Success can be measured any number of ways, but something you can never put a price tag on is service,” said James. “Having Willie Reed return to Kansas City with his basketball camp speaks volumes about his character and his commitment to the youth of our city. I am proud of his efforts and I applaud him for remembering where he came from and for doing his part to give back to his community.”
Those skills tho! @ShowtimeReed33 will be in #KansasCity at @MCCKansasCity to help kids improve technique. @NBA pic.twitter.com/JKpPQfHFgh
— Terra Hall (@TerraHall) May 24, 2016
While this year's camp is now full, Reed hopes to host another one next year. 41 Action News will keep you in the loop on when that will be.
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Terra Hall can be reached at terra.hall@kshb.com.
You can also follow her on Twitter.
