Jon Brockman to host his own camp

One of the benefits of having so many phenomenal basketball players come from the greater-Seattle area is their philanthropy. From Jamal Crawford to Nate Robinson to Will Conroy to Spencer Hawes, the giving back - in the form of summer basketball camps - ensures that generations of young hoopers get to rub elbows with their idols, just like they did back in their day.

Jon Brockman used to be one of those young hoopers.

"When I was really little, I remember looking up to the varsity high school basketball players like they were kings," Brockman said. "I thought they were the biggest things ever. It's amazing the impact they can have on a little kid."

After spending years going to camps all over King and Snohomish counties - including camps at Seattle Pacific and the NBC Camp in Auburn - he's hoping to have a similar impact on those looking to follow in his footsteps.

Brockman, who just finished up his first year with the Sacramento Kings, will host his first-ever “Jon Brockman Basketball Camp” at Snohomish’s Glacier Peak High School, benefiting the Glacier Peak Basketball Booster Club and other local-area charities. The camp is a four-day camp, and runs from 9-4 pm daily from Tuesday, August 10th through Friday, August 13th.

"I really like being around the kids, especially if they are just out there working hard and they are trying to have fun and want to learn more about basketball," Brockman said. "I enjoy giving back to the game, because when I was in their shoes, I thought it was the coolest thing in the world if a college or NBA player was around, just hanging out and being friendly."

Brockman plans on having a bunch of his NBA buddies around, including Many of Brockman’s NBA friends are scheduled to appear at the camp including former Washington star Quincy Pondexter, Philadelphia 76ers and Washington teammate Hawes and Oklahoma City forward Nick Collison, who became friends with Brockman when Collison played for the Seattle SuperSonics.

The Jon Brockman Basketball Camp will provide boys and girls ages 6-16 with a structured basketball learning experience that encourages team participation and personal development. Brockman will be in attendance everyday instructing campers and helping them with basketball fundamentals. The camp will include guest speakers, low coach-to-camper ratio, several games per day and daily contests.

And like any good camp involving Brockman, don't be surprised if there are some floor burns and bodies flying around the court. But unlike Jon, it won't be coming from him.

"I'm going to tone it down and keep it calm," he said. "But toughness comes with hard work. I'm going to emphasize it and applaud the kids that are working hard and are showing some toughness out there.

"But I want them to have a good time. I want them to have fun. Also I want them to learn a little bit and learn how to get better - not just at basketball but anything. You have to work hard at everything to be good at it. So hard work is probably the biggest thing I'm going to emphasize throughout the entire camp."

The cost of the four-day camp is $275. Campers will receive a camp jersey, autographs, snacks, Sacramento Kings prizes and much, much more. Please click on the link below for more information, including online registration.

Jon Brockman Basketball Camp Registration information