Willie Reed Jr. gives back to hometown community

Santiago Archieri/ Staff Writer

For professional athletes, staying true to their roots is one of the most important things they can do. Willie Reed, Jr., forward for the Brooklyn Nets, is planning on doing just that by hosting a basketball camp this summer.

The camp will be something special for the Kansas City native, and he wants to show everyone why they should never give up on their dreams.

Reed’s journey began in 2011 when he went undrafted in the NBA draft. He went off to play for the CB Sant Josep, a Spanish team. Shortly after, Reed made his way back to the United States to pursue his dreams of making it into the NBA.

Reed was able to sign with the Sacramento Kings after being in their summer league team but was waived shortly after. That is when he found a spot in the NBA development league and signed with Springfield Armor. After he finished his season with Springfield Armor, he signed with the Memphis Grizzlies.

He went on to play for three more D-League teams and another overseas team before finally calling Brooklyn home. Reed signed with the Brooklyn Nets in the beginning of the 2015-2016 season recording eight points in 11 minutes in his NBA debut.

However, making it to the NBA and having a dream come true is only a small part of Reed’s journey.

“I have always wanted to do a camp in Kansas City,” Reed told The Beacon. “Not many guys from there went to the NBA, and I wanted to do something to give back to the younger kids and show them that dreams can come true.”

Reed hopes to show others from his hometown that no dreams are ever unreachable.

Reed said:“It is because I care. I want to show kids that I do care for them and hopefully be a step in their road to making it big. I want to show them my point of view, a point of view from someone who had to work hard and fight to make it.”

The camp will be held at Penn Valley Community College for children ages 9 to 13 years old. Reed wants to give back since Kansas City is not home to many NBA players.

The camp will feature basketball stations where kids will be able to showcase different drills.

Reed said: “I never had a camp before, but I plan on expanding in the future. I am just trying to do this strictly based off what I know, and I hope to make it something for kids to look forward to every year.”

To sign up for the camp, a RSVP form can be found on Reed’s website: Williereed33.com