By Josh CohenJuly 12, 2014
ORLANDO -- A day after wrapping up his participation in the 2014 Southwest Airlines Orlando Pro Summer League – in which he and many of his fellow young teammates such as Elfrid Payton and Aaron Gordon learned about each other’s games – Victor Oladipo spent some time on Saturday, July 12 helping kids expand their own basketball skills.
For the first time in his professional career, Oladipo hosted an Orlando Magic youth basketball camp. And based on Vic’s noticeable energy and passion and the kids’ obvious admiration for one of their favorite NBA players, it was a giant success.
“I’m blessed and fortunate to have one (basketball camp) and show them the skills that I have come to acquire,” Oladipo said. “There is nothing like putting a smile on kid’s faces.”
“They are the future of this world,” he added. “When I was a kid it made my day when someone gave back to me.”
Part of the itinerary for Oladipo was to teach the young aspiring basketball stars about the importance of teamwork, hard work, attention to detail and having a never-give-up attitude.
In many ways, Vic’s guidance to others is a familiar one from when he was growing up. Oladipo was always underrated and had to overcome many obstacles to accomplish his goals and dreams.
“Through my life I always came up short, always been underrated,” Vic said. “All that coming up short kept me stronger, kept a chip on my shoulder for the big comeback that we are going to have here. It’s all a process and I am enjoying the process.”
While he obviously has many playing years remaining in his career, Oladipo’s devotion to the community and helping kids develop skills makes you wonder if coaching is in his future.
“I would be very, very, very positive,” Oladipo said about the coaching style he would employ. “I would be really high energy and talking to my team every second.”
In addition to interacting with Victor and learning basketball from him, participants of Saturday’s camp also received a reversible Orlando Magic jersey, an autographed item and team photo with Oladipo and two lower level tickets to a 2014-15 Magic game at Amway Center.
Learning from superstars like Oladipo and other renowned basketball coaches in the Central Florida area are just one of the many benefits of signing up for a Magic youth hoops camp. Regardless of skill level, there is opportunity for children of all ages.
In addition to Oladipo’s one-day camp, the Orlando Magic will host more than 20 basketball camps, designed for boys and girls of all skill levels ages 7-16, across Central Florida this summer. Registration is officially open and limited space is still available for select sessions.
To register for any Orlando Magic Youth Basketball Camp, or for more information, call 407-916-2681 or go to OrlandoMagicCamps.com.
Orlando Magic Youth Basketball is presented by UnitedHealthcare and is officially sponsored by Gatorade and NBA City.