Former Auburn and NBA Star Conducts Local Basketball Camp

7/31/08
Youngsters of all ages and from throughout the county took part in a three day basketball camp conducted by Wesley Person at Marianna High School this past weekend. Person, who played four years at Auburn and then spent eleven seasons in the National Basketball Association, provided fundamental instruction in the areas of shooting, dribbling, rebounding, passing, individual defense, teamwork and good sportsmanship. "I’ve been working with kids since 2000 and it is my way of giving back to the kids. Hopefully I can make a difference," said Person. The response from the kids has been all that he could hope for Person added, "The kids have been working real hard, paying attention and asking a lot of questions on how to be better players."
Marianna Head Basketball Coach Travis Blanton was impressed with the camp. "The kids seem to really be responding well. The community needs something like this and it reinforces what the coaches have been teaching these kids at their respective schools," said Blanton. Nadine Long helped organize the camp and has likewise been impressed. "Many camps of this quality would cost anywhere from $300-400 dollars. Wes came in and is doing it for much less ($65) because it is his way of giving back to the community," Long commented.
Person certainly has the credentials for putting on a top notch basketball camp. During his four seasons at Auburn he averaged just over 19 points per game, including 22.2 points per game during his senior season. He was a three time All SEC selection, is the all time 3-point shooter (262 3-pointers made) and is 3rd on the all time scoring chart with 2,066 points. He was a first round draft pick in 1994 by the Phoenix Suns where he spent his first 3 seasons. During his 11 year tenure in the NBA he played for the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets. During those 11 seasons he averaged in double figures a total of 7 seasons.
Person said that he wanted to give back to the community because of individuals who had played big roles in his life growing up. "My older brother and my high school coach (Earl Henderson – Brantley High School in Alabama) were my mentors when I was young. They were both there for me and Coach Henderson is still someone that I talk with regularly. He is one of the reasons I got into this, he has always been there for me and I know how hard it is to be successful," said Person. In addition to Wesley Person, the camp staff included his uncle Malcolm Person who played for the Boston Celtics.