Photo by Jabari Smith Gives Back to the Community with Free Basketball Camp
Auburn is home. It’s tattooed on me. This is my family here and I love Auburn.
Jabari Smith, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, returned to his alma mater to give back to the community with a free basketball camp for boys and girls at Loachapoka High School. The camp was a huge success, with Smith reflecting on what Auburn’s basketball program has meant to him.
“Because Auburn means so much to me,” said Smith. “I really like to call Auburn home. I wasn’t here for long but the relationships I’ve built, how much fun I had, and how much love I was shown while I was here, it’s great for me to give back.”
Smith recruited former teammates, friends, and family to help him run the camp, which he plans to expand to his hometown of Atlanta and Houston, where he recently completed his second season with the Rockets.
The camp was not only a way for Smith to give back to the community but also to share his knowledge and experience with the next generation of basketball players. He held two question-and-answer sessions, one with reporters and one with campers, where he shared his journey and offered advice.
“I want to remind them to have fun and teach them something along the way,” he said. “That gets taken away so much because the pressure is built up, whether it’s from the parents or the articles. They have rankings for fifth and sixth graders. I want them to remember to have fun. Camps are a place where you can do that.”
Smith’s love for Auburn and its basketball program is evident in his words and actions. He credits the program with helping him become the player and person he is today.
“If you come here, it’s going to be more than that,” Smith said. “It’s going to be a family atmosphere. You’re going to play to win. You’re going to play the right way. You’re going to play defense and he’s going to show the best side of you always.”
The article also highlights the importance of recognizing and supporting women’s basketball, which has historically been overlooked and underappreciated. The recent rise in popularity of women’s basketball is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to ensure that female athletes receive the recognition and support they deserve.
“Women’s basketball deserves recognition for its achievements and equal attention as men’s basketball,” said a women’s basketball enthusiast. “It’s time we give female athletes the recognition they deserve.”
The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of supporting women’s basketball and recognizing the achievements of female athletes.
“Let’s make this change permanent. Elevating women’s basketball is crucial for young athletes and entertainment for viewers.”
