LOUISVILLE, Ky. — At a free Louisville basketball camp, young people are learning more than to just shoot and score.
What You Need To Know
- A free Louisville basketball camp aims to help participants not only learn the sport but prevent youth violence
- "Shoot Balls Not Guns" is in its second year
- It is in honor of of organizer Will Pitts’ son’s friend, who was shot and killed
- The “Shoot Balls Not Guns” camp will be held Friday at the South Louisville Community Center
“Shoot Balls Not Guns” is in honor of organizer Will Pitts’ son’s friend, who was shot and killed. He said it is the second year of the camp.
"His name was Demetrius Wilson ... (he was) kind of like a son of mine as well," Pitts said. "He was in the streets and living the street life, but nobody should have their life taken."
"(The camp is) a way to honor him and show respect and pay homage to him, and that's an awesome way to be able to help kids who are trapped in their lifestyle.”
Participants such as Wilford Pitts and Dominic Thompson are happy to be on the court. Both said basketball is their life and motivates them to be better while inspiring others.
"People really need to come here because if they (are) in the streets, then they really can't help themselves," Wilford Pitts said. "But if they (are) out here, then they could get away from all that stuff.”
The camp travels to community centers all over Louisville, reaching every neighborhood.
"Sports is a way to bring neighborhoods and different kids and different stuff together, and it was just a way to bridge those gaps," Pitts said.
The “Shoot Balls Not Guns” camp will be held Friday, March 22 at the South Louisville Community Center.