Richard Hamilton Hosts Basketball Camp

Hamilton meets and greets his campers at Detroit Country Day School Dena Beth Krischer / Pistons Photo

At 9:00 a.m. on Monday, June 16, about 200 children between the ages of 8 and 14 arrived at Detroit Country Day School in Beverly Hills, Mich. for Richard 'Rip' Hamilton's second annual Basketball Camp.

Hamilton launched his Summer Camp in Rockville, Mary. after spending the 2001-02 season with the Washington Wizards. Each year, he has hosted one camp nearby the city he plays for as well as one nearby his hometown of Coatesville, Penn.

"This is my first year doing it here (in Detroit)," Hamilton said. "The kids are excited. Any time you can put a smile on a kids face, you get a great feeling."

Hosting summer camps is just one of Hamilton's ways to give back to the community and the area that he represents. It is something that Hamilton hopes to continue throughout his basketball career.

The age group that Hamilton hosts the camps for is very particular - only children between the ages of 8-14.

Detroit campers ran drills and learned fundamentals before Hamilton's arrival Dena Beth Krischer / Pistons Photo

"You've got to get them early," Hamilton said. "This is where the game of basketball is fun, this is where you don’t have a care in the world you just come out. You don’t worry about injuries, you don’t worry about scoring points, you just come out here play and have fun and try to win."

"I always had a great opportunity to go to camp," Hamilton said. "But not a great opportunity to meet with NBA players. (This camp) is a great thing for them."

The camp at Detroit Country Day was the first of two camps Hamilton would hold during the summer of 2003. The second session will be held at West Chester University in West Chester, Penn. during the week of July 21 through July 25.

West Chester University is near Hamilton's hometown of Coatesville, Penn., and he is expecting to see about 100 campers.