MHS to host Wes Person basketball camp

Former Auburn and NBA star Wes Person will conduct a four-day, youth basketball camp at Marianna High School from July 24-27.

The Sharpshooters Basketball Camp will be for boys and girls ranging from third-graders to high school seniors.

There will be two four-hour sessions per day during the camp, the first session for third through sixth-graders from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the second session for seventh through 12th-graders from 3-7 p.m.

The camp was brought to Jackson County by Nadine Long, who directs the AAU Boundless Ballers. Long said her players participated in Person’s camp in Enterprise, Ala., and enjoyed it so much that she decided to invite Person to bring his camp to Marianna.

“The kids really got a lot out of it,” Long said. “I told him that a lot of kids in our community could really benefit from the camp but might not able to travel to Alabama for four days. I asked him if he could come to Jackson County and I was just elated when he said yes.”

Long said she took six of her Boundless Ballers players to Enterprise and was very impressed by Person’s camp.

“Wes instructs the kids for the first three quarters of the sessions, coaches them and he’s out there on the court with the kids the entire time,” she said. “He actually works with them because he enjoys it. He’s really serious about helping these kids learn the game.”

The fact that the instruction was coming from a former NBA player also had a big impact on her kids, Long said.

“The kids were very attentive,” she said. “The instructions he gives, when he teaches fundamentals, he’s teaching from the standpoint of a former professional basketball player, so it really hits.”

When a gym was needed to host the camp, Marianna coach Travis Blanton was more than happy to accommodate.
“I’m extremely excited to have someone of that stature to come to our place and do something to help our youth,” the coach said. “It’s kind of a neat thing.
There are not many former NBA players coming to Marianna, Florida.

“I think the kids will learn a lot. I’m sure I’ll learn a lot. It’s going to be exciting for young kids. I’m very appreciative of Nadine Long for putting it all together.”

The camp cost $65 for the week, with proceeds to be split between Marianna boosters, the Boundless Ballers and the camp.

“This will be a great opportunity for all the kids at a great price to come out and get some really good instruction from a former NBA players,” Long said. “Not only that, but Wes is real particular about good sportsmanship and teamwork and he really stresses all of that, having a good attitude and character.” 

For more information on the camp, call Long at 850-209-3951.