Ayrton Oneill
Will Barton is a former NBA basketball player who has been running youth basketball camps since he turned professional. In 2016, he held a one-day basketball camp for 40 local student basketball players at St. Frances Academy's gym in Baltimore, where he grew up. The camp was free to participants and included skill stations, 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 play, and motivational words and instruction from Barton. Barton has expressed a desire to give back to the city's youth and serve as a role model, demonstrating that he is a regular guy just like them who has overcome similar obstacles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Host | Will Barton |
| Attendees | 40 of Baltimore's top high school basketball players |
| Location | St. Frances Academy's gym, Baltimore |
| Date | August 8, 2016 |
| Duration | One day |
| Cost | Free |
| Activities | Skill stations, 3-on-3 play, 5-on-5 play, motivational talks |
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What You'll Learn
Will Barton's basketball camp in Baltimore
Will Barton, a former Baltimore resident, held a one-day basketball camp for local student basketball players in his hometown. The camp, called the Will Barton Elite Basketball Camp, was hosted at St. Frances Academy's gym and was free for participants.
The day began with Barton greeting campers with his trademark smile before joining them on the court. The 40 attendees were an even mix of upcoming freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors, all of whom were hand-selected as some of the best high school basketball players in the area. The morning session featured various skill stations, followed by competitive 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 play in the afternoon.
Barton, a four-year pro at the time and a Denver Nuggets player, was no stranger to giving back to the community. He had been running youth camps annually since turning professional, and his hard work and strong connections to his roots have been a constant source of motivation for the city's youth. Barton himself was once one of these aspiring athletes; during his time as a junior at Lake Clifton in 2008-2009, he led the Lakers to an undefeated season and earned All-Metro Player of the Year honors.
The camp provided an incredible opportunity for these young athletes to learn from and compete with one of Baltimore's own. One attendee, McDonogh rising senior Damian Chong-Qui, expressed his motivation after getting to play 3-on-3 with Barton, calling it "a chance to get better and hopefully join the path he took." Another camper, Calvert Hall rising junior guard Brendan Adams, praised Barton for his willingness to give back, acknowledging that "a lot of people, when they make it, they don't do camps like this."
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The Will Barton Elite Basketball Camp
The camp is a way for Barton to give back to the city's youth and stay connected to his roots. He has expressed the importance of building relationships with the kids and being a positive role model for them. Barton wants the campers to see him as a "regular guy" who has overcome similar obstacles to achieve success. Through the camp, he hopes to inspire and motivate the next generation of basketball players in Baltimore.
In addition to his work with the Elite Basketball Camp, Barton has also been involved with the highly popular UK Athletics basketball camps. As the director of basketball administration, he assists in the planning and operation of these camps, including hiring and supervising all camp counselors. Barton's involvement in these camps further showcases his dedication to fostering the growth and development of young basketball players.
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Will Barton's role in camp direction and planning
Will Barton, a former NBA player and Baltimore resident, has been giving back to the community by hosting basketball camps for local student basketball players since turning professional. The Will Barton Elite Basketball Camp is a free, one-day camp for 40 of the area's top high school basketball players, hand-selected from each of the upcoming freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior classes. The camp includes various skill stations in the morning, followed by 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 play, with plenty of motivational words and instruction throughout.
In addition to his work with the NBA and the basketball camps in Baltimore, Barton has also been involved with the Kentucky men's basketball team. He completed his fifth season with the team as the director of basketball administration in 2020-21, assisting with the day-to-day operations of the team, including budget, academics, travel, meals, ticketing, and team managers. As part of his role, Barton also assisted with the direction and planning of the men's basketball camps, hiring and supervising all camp counselors for UK's highly popular camps.
Barton's journey to the NBA began at Lake Clifton, where he led the Lakers to a 28-0 season and earned All-Metro Player of the Year honors in 2008-09. He then played two years of college basketball at Memphis before being selected with the 40th pick of the 2012 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers.
Barton's camps have been well-received by participants, who appreciate the opportunity to learn from and compete with an NBA player. His hands-on approach, both on and off the court, has left campers motivated and inspired. Barton's own journey, from Baltimore to the NBA, serves as a testament to the campers that they too can achieve their dreams with hard work and dedication.
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Motivational words and instruction from Will Barton
Will Barton, the former Baltimore resident and NBA player, has been giving back to the community by hosting basketball camps for local students and youth since turning professional. The day-long camps are free to participants and include skill stations, 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 play, as well as motivational words and instruction from Barton himself.
Barton, who has had a successful NBA career, playing for the Portland Trail Blazers and the Denver Nuggets, values the importance of giving back to the city's youth and being a positive role model. He has stated that he wants the kids to know that he is "a regular guy just like them" and that he has "overcome some of the same obstacles". Through his camps, Barton aims to inspire and motivate the next generation of basketball players, showing them that they too can achieve their dreams if they work hard and believe in themselves.
During the camps, Barton shares his personal journey and the challenges he has faced, emphasizing the importance of dedication, practice, and perseverance. He encourages campers to compete and challenge themselves while also having fun and enjoying the game. He believes that basketball is not just about winning or losing, but also about building character, learning from mistakes, and improving both on and off the court.
In addition to his own experiences, Barton also provides specific instructions and tips tailored to each participant's skill level. He offers guidance on improving their technique, strategy, and overall understanding of the game. Barton's instructions cover a range of topics, from refining shooting form and ball-handling skills to making quicker decisions on the court and developing a strong basketball IQ. He emphasizes the value of hard work and consistent practice, sharing the training methods and work ethic that contributed to his own success as an NBA player.
Barton's motivational words and instructions extend beyond the basketball court as well. He emphasizes the importance of a strong work ethic, discipline, and time management, drawing from his own experiences as a student-athlete. He encourages campers to prioritize their education, maintain good academic standing, and develop a well-rounded set of skills that will benefit them in all areas of life. Barton's message is one of holistic development, where basketball serves as a vehicle for personal growth and self-improvement.
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Will Barton's basketball camp as a junior at Lake Clifton
As a junior at Lake Clifton in 2008-09, Will Barton led the Lakers to a 28-0 season and earned All-Metro Player of the Year honors. In the years since, Barton has risen through the ranks of the NBA, playing for the Portland Trail Blazers and the Denver Nuggets.
In 2016, Barton returned to Baltimore to host a one-day basketball camp for local student basketball players at St. Frances Academy's gym. The camp was free to participants and included various skill stations in the morning session, followed by 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 play in the afternoon. Barton, who is from Baltimore, was happy to give back to the city's youth and serve as a role model for the next generation of players.
The Will Barton Elite Basketball Camp welcomed 40 of the area's top high school basketball players, hand-selected and evenly divided between the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior classes. The campers were in awe of Barton, who quickly joined in on the 3-on-3 play, teaming up with his brother, Antonio, and former Walbrook and Connecticut star Roscoe Smith.
Barton has been running youth camps since he turned professional, and his hard work and strong support for the community have helped elevate his career. He has formed relationships with many of the kids who attend his camps, communicating with them via phone, text, and FaceTime. He wants to show them that he is a regular guy who has overcome similar obstacles and that they, too, can achieve their dreams.
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Frequently asked questions
The Will Barton Basketball Camp is a one-day camp for local student basketball players in Baltimore. The camp is free and includes skill stations, 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 play, and motivational words and instruction from NBA player Will Barton.
The camp is for 40 of the area's top high school basketball players, hand-selected and evenly divided between the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior classes.
Will Barton is an NBA player and Baltimore native who runs the camp. He teams up with his brother, Antonio, and former Walbrook and Connecticut player Roscoe Smith for 3-on-3 games against the campers. He also provides motivational words and instruction throughout the camp.
