Former NBA player and coach Kenny Gattison’s basketball camp returns to Wilmington

Wilmington native Kenny Gattison is years removed from his NBA playing career, but he’s still dedicated to the city that shaped him.

The New Hanover High School standout of the early 1980s spent years battling Laney’s Michael Jordan. He played college basketball at Old Dominion and went on to spend 23 years as both a player and coach in the NBA.

Now residing in Charlotte, Gattison, 60, still enjoys visiting Wilmington, where he learned just how vital his basketball career could be.

Gattison, who is hosting his second annual youth basketball camp this week, sat down with StarNews to talk about the state of high school athletics, the Port City, and more. Here are his answers, edited lightly for clarity.

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You’re back in Wilmington for a second year of youth basketball camps. What motivates you to keep returning to your hometown?

“My mission is the same, whether it’s here in Wilmington or up in the Charlotte area. I want to touch these young men and young ladies in our communities and be a living, walking, talking inspiration to them. Participation in organized sports will make you a better, more rounded person moving forward. This is really about 15% basketball and 85% of self-improvement.”

Wilmington’s high school sports scene is no stranger to controversy. In January, Laney’s girl’s basketball coach resigned 11 games into the season, citing issues with parents. What’s your take on youth sports and how parents and fans behave?

“Parent’s behavior is copied by the children. It’s learned behavior. If the parent in the stands is acting like a fool, you’ll be able to find their child on the court because he’s going to be the one out there acting like a fool.

“The parents have absolutely lost their minds. Parents have ruined these kids, and the AAU circuit has become a carnival. Parents are trying to envision their kids being the next Lebron, the next Kobe, the next Steph, and they’re absolutely out of their minds.”

Caitlyn Clark and the WNBA have more eyes than ever. What’s your view on some of the controversy between other WNBA stars and Clark?

“The Caitlyn Clark phenomenon is what the WNBA has been looking for for the past 20 years. Angel Reese, Caitlyn Clark, all of the girls, it’s been years of work by the whole women’s basketball community, and technology is the difference.”

“In high tide, all boats rise. Women’s basketball is having a tsunami right now, and the wave is getting bigger. If you can take all of the glory, you’ve got to take the smoke, too. Is there some jealousy and envy? Absolutely. That’s the way it’s been since the beginning of mankind.”

When we last talked, you shared your perception of Wilmington. Has that changed throughout your life, or is it the same place you always remembered?

“I’ve always been a big fan of my hometown, and I’ve come back and hosted events. I don’t care if it’s just talking to a community boys and girls club or riding through Empie Park. I just want to be an example for these kids to follow, especially for our Black youth. All the stuff that goes with it, I went through it and came out of there just fine. When our youngsters can see, hear, and touch, then it’s more believable.”

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Former NBA player and coach Kenny Gattison weighs in on Caitlyn Clark, partens