2008-09 News and Features

Summer Hoops Tour Brings the Heat!

By: Courtney Stern

The campers at Camp Yumka knew that Monday would not be an ordinary day. Bouncing through the crowd of 200 campers was Philadelphia 76ers mascot Hip-Hop and practicing his form from behind the arc was Ambassador of Sixers Basketball, World B. Free and one the most prolific scorers in NBA history. The campers’ cheers echoed throughout the gym as the 90-minute clinic began with Free challenging Hip-Hop to make a half-court shot. The cheers only grew louder as a Hare Raiser exhibited his flair for dunking.

During a demonstration of basketball skills, participants learned the fundamentals to dribble like Louis Williams and shoot like Andre Iguodala. World B. Free and the Sixers staff also demonstrated proper passing techniques, good defensive form and conditioning drills. Hip-Hop led the campers through a series of stretches before they rotated through five stations. At each stop they polished their offensive skills and defensive toughness with the help and encouragement of World B. Free.

After working hard, the campers were treated to a 5-on-5 scrimmage between the Sixers front office staff and their own counselors. The Sixers staff narrowly defeated the counselors, as the campers cheered on both teams.

“Today was excellent,” said the tour’s leader Free. “The campers were very excited. It was a great clinic!”

At the end of the day, every child walked away with more than just improved basketball skills and cool Sixers prizes.

“The most important thing the children can take away from the Hoops Tour is sharpening their basketball skills and learning about the ups and downs of the world from the speeches we give them,” said Free. “I teach them basketball, how to shoot a jump shot or a lay-up, but at the end I like to give them a message. Basketball opens up their minds. I tell them you have to be aware. We try to instill the dangers of drugs and violence and the importance of education.”

The Summer Hoops tour sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and Aquafina, is the franchise’s longest running tradition and in its 14th year, will continue to reach thousands of young athletes throughout the Philadelphia region. Yet as it has grown, the message World B. Free hopes to share has stayed the same.

“I do it just to look at the faces on these kids. I still see the kids I coached 13 years ago and they give me a hug and tell me they remember what I taught them,” said Free. “It’s beautiful.”

For more information on the 76ers Summer Hoops Tour, including how to sign up for next year’s Summer Hoops Tours, please visit our Summer Hoops Tour page.