NBA player fundamentally a camp star at Polytechnic

By Travis Detherage

wdetherage@star-telegram.com

Henry Persley, 10, was having difficulty with his crossover dribble while running up the court, so Stephen Graham told him to keep the basketball low because that will help him control it better.

When it was Persley's turn to try it again, he took Graham's advice and was able to cross over the ball with ease.

That was one of the many lessons Graham taught the 21 boys and girls who showed up during the Wednesday morning session at the Fort Worth Polytechnic High School basketball camp.

Graham, who plays in the NBA for the New Jersey Nets, said he wanted to teach the children at the camp a sense of teamwork and discipline.

"That is one of the biggest things these kids can learn at this age, because a lot of kids don't understand the fundamentals of being a team player and teamwork, and that was what I wanted to teach them while I'm here," Graham said.

Henry said it was fun getting to meet and learn from a NBA player.

"He teaches the basic fundamentals and at the same time he lets us have fun," he said.

This is the second year that Polytechnic has had a basketball camp and it is orchestrated to teach children from grades three through nine the fundamentals of the game and address sportsmanship and teamwork.

Charles Hickman, Polytechnic varsity basketball coach and founder of the camp, said the first year at Poly only five or six children showed up.

Hickman decided to get in contact with Graham, who was a friend dating to their times together at Oklahoma State, to attract people from the community to attend the basketball camp.

"When the community found out that an actual NBA player was going to be here, the turnout is much different now," Hickman said. "For a session we have already doubled and tripled what we had last year, so Graham has already had a huge impact for these kids."

Graham not only taught the children the fundamentals of passing and dribbling and defensive skills. He also spoke about the importance of academics, using examples from his childhood days, saying that he practiced basketball six hours a day, but only after he showed his parents that he was done with homework.

He also told the children that if they worked hard they could be whatever they wanted to be.

"I'm in a blessed situation where I can give back to the kids," Graham said. "I remember being in these kids' same shoes back when I was younger.

"Having NBA players coming up to me and saying something, because it meant the world to me, so it inspired me to start working with kids."

The camp continues today through Friday, and camp officials said additional children can sign up today for $30. Polytechnic High School is at 1300 Conner Ave.

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