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By Nina Crowder
Fifty-two youth participants from the Kearny area had the opportunity to work and learn new basketball skills with Corey Williams and Carl Graham from the Tucson Summer Pro Basketball League (TSPL). Corey and Carl continue to graciously give their time and efforts to the Kearny school holding a youth basketball camp.
Asarco and Copper Basin Railway are corporate sponsors for this summer program. Asarco is also one of the corporate sponsors for Tucson Summer Pro League in Tucson. The two-day event was held on June 24 and 25. Bill Loehr from Asarco is happy to help with the basketball camp and other programs to help our youth.
Corey Williams was Batavia’s all time leading scorer who lead the Bulldogs to the Elite Eight Assembly Hall in 1991 before he began his career for Lute Olson at Arizona and a 12 year professional career in Asia and Europe. Corey who stands 6’7” played basketball in Batavia and was the second player in 102 years of Bulldog Basketball to have his jersey retired. Corey Williams was a University of Arizona Wildcat Basketball Forward from 1992 to 1996. Corey now runs the Tucson Summer Pro League and broadcasts Pac-12 games for Fox Sports Net. Corey has passion and to help inspire the youth and to share the love of the game.
Carl Graham started out at Santa Rita High School back in the late 80’s. Carl stands 5’10” he has great ball handling skills, a variety of inside moves and long outside shots. When he got out of high school he went to Italy and played for Brindisi. Carl Graham played throughout Europe and eventually back in the states with a team in Durango, Mexico, then headed back to Europe to play in France. Carl is currently a Barber and enjoys the opportunity to work with the youth at the Basketball camps and really enjoys working with TSPL. Carl has a love for the game and hopes to teach the youth the camaraderie, fundamental skills for the game and to have fun!
The Tucson Summer Pro League (TSPL) is an NCAA sanctioned league which allows for the participation of the area’s collegiate athletes as well as the top High School players. In its opening season, the TSPL was the first NCAA sanctioned league in the country to include both men and women players. Based in Tucson, Arizona the TSPL is also home to quite a few NBA players, U of A alumni and other players who are currently playing professionally worldwide. This allows our fans to see former Wildcats along side current U of A players as well as some of Arizona’s top High School talent. The Tucson Summer Pro League is made possible by a number of Tucson area businesses and sponsors. Admission is free and all games are open to the public. With top NCAA Division I athletes and professionals from both the NBA and Europe, the TSPL is great summer basketball for players and fans of all ages.
The Kearny youth as well as the Hayden youth the prior week have truly enjoyed the basketball camp and said even though they went home tired, they learned a great deal and had a lot of fun. It was so fun to watch the youth and some of the girls actually were faster than some of the boys. Everyone played well and had a terrific time.
At the end of the Basketball camp in Kearny the youth were presented with awards for specific abilities and skills. Each participant received a water bottle, jersey, basketball, backpack, a team picture and individual picture with youth participant and both Corey and Carl all provided by Asarco and the Copper Basin Railway.
Thank you Asarco, Copper Basin Railway and Ray School District, Corey Williams and Carl Graham for allowing such a skillful and inspiring event to take place!
See more photos online at http://bit.ly/14NvkCz.
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