Hoop dreams

The Wright State University men’s basketball team hosted 100 youth basketball players for two weeks of fundamentals and fun at the Wright State Basketball Day Camps.

“The camps have steadily grown since we’ve been here,” said Nick Goff, director of operations for men’s basketball. “When we started the first camp, we only had 15 participants.”

Goff credits the success of the men’s basketball team for the growth in participants at the camps.

“A lot of our campers know the players from the games, and it’s a great opportunity for them to get face-to-face with those guys,” Goff said.

The camps, which were held in the Setzer Pavilion and the McLin Gym in the Wright State Nutter Center, were open to students in third through eighth grade.

The camps provided each individual with opportunities to work on skill development and practice what they learned in competitive situations. Each camper received individual instruction for their position, competed in numerous games and drills, and interacted with the men’s basketball players. Each camp concluded with an autograph session and pictures with the men’s basketball team.

“I’ve obviously been in these kids’ shoes,” said Alex Huibregtse, a redshirt junior guard on the men’s basketball team. “I remember when I was that young and how I felt when I would see a player on the high school level or college level.”

Huibregtse attended similar camps growing up and knows the impact that meeting a college athlete can have on a young athlete.

“If they work hard and chase their dream, they can also play in college one day,” said Huibregtse.