By Josh CohenDec. 29, 2015
ORLANDO – While learning the game from any NBA player is extraordinary, there is something even more special about it when the player was once in their shoes.
Most assumed Victor Oladipo would never become a professional basketball player when he ranked 144th in his high school graduating class by Rivals.com. But with incredible hard work, devotion and confidence, Oladipo defied the odds and went on to become a No. 2 overall NBA draft pick in 2013.
So when he surprised nearly 50 kids by showing up at the Orlando Magic’s holiday basketball camp, it was the right person to teach them about what it takes to accomplish their dreams on and off the court.
“The biggest thing is just believe in yourself no matter what situation you may be in,” Oladipo said when asked about the advice he gives to kids. “There’s going to be tough times and good times but your confidence in yourself should never waver. That’s the biggest thing I tell kids; never let anybody tell you you can’t do something.”
In addition to giving some life lessons, Oladipo ran some skills and drills. He showed the campers different aspects of the game and in the process encouraged them to stay eager and focused.
It wasn’t the first time Oladipo helped children develop their skills at a hoops camp. In July of 2014, Oladipo hosted a Magic basketball camp and spent hours helping kids improve their games.
“I never forget all the kids, a lot of them go to our games to this day and still bring up the fact that they remember me from the camp and still ask me if I have camps and if I’m going to have camps,” he said. “It’s something they never forget and it’s something I will never forget as well.”
Oladipo has done plenty in the Central Florida community since joining the Magic. In fact, his contributions have been so appreciated that he was named co-winner of the Rich & Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award in 2015 (Tobias Harris was other co-winner). Oladipo recently donated $35,000 to the UCF Listening Center to help children and families with hearing loss. His sister, Kendra, became deaf when she was in the second grade.
The Magic’s youth holiday camp included 12 hours of expert instruction from the National Basketball Academy, a camp T-shirt, a commemorative certificate of achievement and a ticket to an upcoming Magic home game.
The Magic offer kids of all ages the opportunity to learn from basketball experts throughout the year. To learn more about Magic basketball camps, visit www.orlandomagic.com/camps.