On Monday and Tuesday, Lonnie Walker IV, the Reading High graduate and guard for the Brooklyn Nets, was back in his hometown again this summer, signing autographs, giving basketball tips and generally having a good time at the Lonnie Walker IV Foundation youth basketball camp at the Geigle.
About 200 kids attended both days of the camp, and children 7-16 were allowed to attend the free event. Walker has also hosted a Community Appreciation Gala and a “Stop the Violence” Basketball tournament at Baer Park earlier this summer.
Over the course of two days, there were multiple speakers, including Reading High grad and Kutztown University basketball player Wesley Butler, former Reading High basketball coach Rick Perez, Berks Catholic grad Deja Taylor and former Berks Girls Basketball Player of the Year, Dejah Terrell, former Reading Rebels coach Sergio Afre and Walker himself.
In his message to campers, Walker stressed the importance of hard work, surrounding yourself with positive people and living with determination to overcome adversity.
“My message for y’all is no matter what happens, no matter what you might go through, whatever your dreams and aspirations are, whenever you’re taking it to the next level, there’s always going to be some sort of adversity to humble you,” Walker said. “Whenever you play a game, you always have the final boss, correct? You have to find a way to beat him every single time and some bosses are harder than others And that’s kind of like life.
“You’re forever consistently trying to get to the next level, or your next stage in life to become whatever it is you might want to become. And that boss is for a lesson that you got to learn and consistently grow.”
Terrell, who will be playing women’s professional basketball in Turkey, shared Walker’s sentiments and also emphasized the importance of not allowing superficial factors interfere with your dreams.
Having played for both Albright and California University of Pennsylvania, and despite setbacks such as temporarily losing vision in her right eye while playing with the Lions and tearing her ACL with the Vulcans, Terrell’s story is a testament to the idea that opportunities can be spawned, and more importantly capitalized on, from anywhere.
“No matter where you are in life, as long as you do what you need to do, it shows the world who you are and that you want that (opportunity),” Terrell said. “Just always be your biggest fan. Don’t let haters and people that doubt you ever sway your decision of what you truly want to do. Doesn’t matter if you’re Division I, II, III; don’t let nobody make you feel that you’re not in the right position because God puts everybody on a certain path and you just have to walk with that.”
Jeremiah Camara, a sophomore on the Reading High basketball team and son of coach Francis Camara, was in attendance for the camp as a counselor. Camara said that the experience was rewarding as he had the privilege to instruct others on the game in the same way that he has learned over the years.
“It feels really good helping to get the little kids up to the same level that I’m at right now,” Camara said. “I’m loving the experience and helping the kids better.
“He (Lonnie Walker IV) helped my mindset and helped me be a harder worker, and he also helped me encourage my team. Through his words, he gave me more confidence to speak those words onto other people.”
Walker fielded questions from the crowd following his speech on Tuesday and multiple questions were based around where Walker will play next season in the NBA. Following a solid season on a one-year deal with the Nets, Walker became a free agent on June 30.
In one year with Brooklyn, he averaged 9.7 points per game, 2.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 17.4 minutes per game, while shooting 42.3 percent from the field, 38.4 percent from beyond the arc and 76.3 percent from the foul line.
“Of course, I have intentions of signing on another team.” Walker told the crowd on hand Tuesday. “It’s a process of finding out what’s the best fit of where you can excel at. You don’t want to just go to a team and find you might not play on their roster. So I think it’s a process of just figuring out where you want to go and where a team might love you.”
Regardless of where he will play next, and if this summer is any testament, Walker’s mission of supporting his hometown community and encouraging others along the same path he went on seems secure.
“Whatever you’re doing, understand that you need to be around people that have the same dreams and aspirations as you,” Walker said. “It might not be basketball, it might be something else, but make sure you’re around folks that also will motivate and inspire you just as much as you’re motivating and inspiring them.”
Source: Berkshire mont