Basketball Camps Considered a Success in Milton

Hopewell Middle School hosted Milton's first basketball camps and developmental league, thanks to an agreement with Fulton County Schools that expands the city's recreation opportunities.

Up With Kids Sports and the city partnered in the camps and league, which taught more than 160 children the basics of the game, including ball handling, shooting, passing, play running and execution and the importance of teamwork on and off the court.

Coach Samuel Hines, international basketball star and founder of Up with Kids Sports, said there is good basketball talent in the area and that the key to becoming great is learning the fundamentals at a young age.

“I want these kids to have the best opportunities going forward,” said Hines, a father of two who also coached basketball and football at Alpharetta’s Wills Park. “So I teach think how to think the game, not just shoot a basketball. You must have mental toughness.”

It’s a great model for building not only good basketball players, but complete leaders in the community, he said.

“This game can show you a lot about a person,” said Hines.

Milton will again partner with UWKS for a winter league, and Hines holds his Up with Kids Sports Academy in the fall to prepare feeder team and elite players for tryouts. For more information, visit www.myuwks.com.