MINNEAPOLIS — Hopkins star player Anthony Smith III - better known as A3 - has a promising basketball future. He's considered one of the best prospects in the state as a junior in high school.
Last season, he led the team in points and ranked second in the state for three-pointers.
But all stars have to start somewhere.
"Growing up, I liked going to the Clyde Turner free basketball camps," Anthony said. "The camps were like really really fun, all of the kids like working together and meeting new people."
Turner, a Gopher Basketball legend, ran his basketball camp each summer in the Twin Cities for nearly 35 years. He passed away in 2022.
Knowing how much he benefited from those experiences, Anthony is trying to pay it forward.
The high school junior is hosting a free basketball camp of his own next week - at Olu's Beginnings in Minneapolis' Near North neighborhood.
"They're going to be learning like the basics about basketball. We're gonna have trainers and people helping out to help all the kids, teach them a few things, and just like try to get better," Anthony said.
Gloria Freeman is the CEO of Olu's - which provides holistic early childhood enrichment to kids in the community.
She said it's one thing to see a professional athlete host a big community camp - but a high schooler?
"The youth will see that it's someone younger, that's building a career for themselves," Gloria said. "Not quite there, not a professional yet, but wanting to give back."
Gloria said there's a larger lesson to be learned about giving back to your community.
"I think it could teach the youth quite a bit by just seeing and watching that they can too offer something," she said. "They don't have to be at the height of their career to be able to give back, they can give back at any point in their lives."
Anthony is eager to give back, and he says he has plenty of wisdom to share.
A rising star paying it forward, one bucket at a time.
Spots for the camp are filling up fast. Click here to register.
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