MARCH 2019 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 55
TOBIAS HARRIS
NBA STAR HOSTS SUMMER CAMP
BY MALACHI DAVIS
Philadelphia 76ers forward and Islip
native Tobias Harris is using his NBA
success to give at-risk Long Island
youths an alley-oop with a free business
and basketball-focused summer
camp that he founded.
At Tobias Harris’ School of Business
Basketball Camp, he personally
shares pro tips with large groups
of star-struck campers between the
kids doing drills at the Yes We Can
Community Center in New Cassel, a
state-of-the-art facility with two NBAsized
basketball courts.
“Mentoring is one of the biggest
assets you can offer the youth, and I
knew a free basketball camp would
give me the opportunity to teach
these kids lifelong lessons,” Harris
tells the Press. His mission is “to give
the youth a positive option and outlet
that not only stresses athletics, but
also stresses academics and tools that
can prepare them for the future.”
The camp hosts about 100 kids,
usually the second week of August.
What makes the camp different is that
basketball isn’t the only thing on the
agenda. The camp also offers different
workshops and presents guest speakers
such as police officers, teachers,
and computer analysts that teach kids
about careers they can pursue besides
basketball. Tobias’ father Torrel Harris,
who was once an NBA agent, said
that everyone isn’t going to make it to
the NBA, so the kids need to be aware
of other career options.
The New Cassel area is home to a lot
of disadvantaged kids who aren’t
always able to afford to pay for typically
expensive summer camps on
Long Island. But at the Tobias School
of Business Camp that’s not an issue,
because the camp it is free for all the
campers.
Tobias, the third oldest of six children,
said that giving back to others
was something that was always
stressed in his household. Now that
he is in a position to do so, he makes
sure his camp is one that can be attended
by all. Each camper receives
a free book bag and pair of sneakers
at the end of the camp.
Talk about a slam dunk!
To register for the Tobias Harris
Business Basketball Camp,call the
Yes We Can Center at 516-869-6311.
Seventy Sixers Star forward Tobias Harris gifts campers with sneakers
and book bags.
CAMP GUIDE
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