Boys & Girls Learn Basketball from Lakers Star

REDLANDS >> More than 20 kids from Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside learned basketball basics from Los Angeles Lakers point guard Jordan Clarkson. East West Bank provided scholarships for the Club members, along with more than 20 other youth from underserved communities, to attend the Nike JC6 Youth Basketball Camp in Corona. Clarkson, who celebrated his 24th birthday with cupcakes with camp participants during the camp, was a regular at a Boys & Girls Club growing up in San Antonio, Texas. “I remember it like it was yesterday,” he said. “I always spent a lot of time there. It shaped me into who I am today. A lot of my friends (were there), we played a lot of basketball.” He went to the Club from age 7 through middle school and started playing basketball seriously in ninth grade. He said the fun he had playing at the Club helped fuel his love of basketball. He said the camp is a way for him to help youth who might not otherwise have the chance to learn about the game. “I wanted to give them the opportunity I didn’t get when I was their age, just being able to have that experience,” he said. “It’s just been a touching experience for me just being able to do this...just seeing the hope that you can make it out from wherever you are, providing that is always good.” The Lakers made Clarkson their 46th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. He earned his first career start midway through his rookie year, and was named to the 2015 NBA All-Rookie First Team. He remained a starter this year, and finished second on the team in points per game after Kobe Bryant. The camp, for ages 8 to 18, is Clarkson’s first Southern California youth basketball camp and focuses on skill development. Along with Clarkson, his father, Mike, representatives from the NBA and Nike, and coaches from NAIA & NCAA colleges helped run the camp. Former Spurs draft pick Jack McClinton encouraged campers during the camp to dream big. “I’m here to tell you guys dreams come true, don’t listen to the doubters,” said McClinton, now CEO of Active Dreamers, which sells blankets and pillow cases with NBA players on them. Club members said they liked the camp and have learned new skills. “One, I like how they help us learn different tricks about basketball, and two, I liked meeting JC,” said Jayden Stone, 10. Jaylene Hernandez, 10, labeled the camp “amazing.” “They’re teaching us how to work together and sportsmanship, and we’re doing stuff we didn’t know how to do before,” said Jesse McMurray, 9. Aiden Chavez, 10, said he was grateful that “they give money for us to come here.” Campers sang “Happy Birthday” to Clarkson on his birthday, and each got a Lakers cupcake. East West Bank partnered with the Club and other organizations to bring kids to the camp. Youth from Inland Empire schools were also nominated by their teachers to attend. “We are pleased to bring this basketball camp to these youth with Jordan Clarkson, so they can build fundamental skills in pursuit of their passion," said Emily Wang, director of marketing and community development at East West Bank. "It is also a great opportunity for them to interact with and learn from their favorite player." A total of 125 youth participated in the camp. Each of them received a T-shirt, an item signed by Clarkson, an opportunity to play against him, and the chance to compete for prizes. “Boys & Girls Clubs wants to thank East West Bank, Nike, Jordan Clarkson, other sponsors, and coaches for providing the opportunity for our at-risk and low-income youth in the Inland Empire to experience a basketball camp hosted by professionals in the industry,” said Club Vice President Mark Davis.