Next Level Basketball Camp offers skill sharpening, mentorship for youth

HOOVER, Ala. (WIAT) – On Saturday, Next Level is hosting a basketball camp for youth in the community to brush up on their dribbling skills and meet athletes like Memphis Grizzlies’ Trey Jemison. It’s happening at Hoover High School.

Marika Gray Taylor and Carlie Shively from Marcar Productions joined the CBS 42 Morning News to talk about this summer’s basketball camp on June 29.

“It just means we’re going to have a ton of young people ready to be mentored and to learn about basketball,” Shively said. “There’s only so much time we have to impact a kid’s life, so when you can have a moment to have one-on-one time with them, these older men they really give opportunities to speak to their lives and encourage them in ways they would never get to otherwise.”

This is the first time the camp has ever been completely full.

“Our coaches are super passionate about basketball, but they really want to make an impact outside of these students lives,” Gray Taylor said. “So, it’s an awesome opportunity for every kid that gets to be there.”

Although it is full, there is another camp planned in December. There is also a football camp happening in two weeks on July 13 at Legion Field.

“I really hope that they leave feeling like they’re equipped to go out into the world and really succeed in whatever it is they want to do , even if it ends up not being basketball – that they can take away what they learn here and just run with it,” Shively said.

Saturday’s camp runs from 8 a.m. until noon at Hoover High School.