Local coaches work USA Basketball camp

FARMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — There’s a part of USA Basketball in central Illinois this summer.

Farmington is hosting a summer-long USA Basketball camp for players ages 8-17. The eight-week camp runs every Saturday in June and July is a free to all the participants.

“There’s nothing bigger than USA Basketball. I was honored to be chosen to run it,” said David Williams. “I thought I picked some great coaches who deserve a lot of credit for this.”

Williams is a longtime coach and trainer in the area. He was coached on the staffs at Manual High School and Illinois Central College.

“We’ve never had USA Basketball here, never. This is the first time for USA Basketball and hopefully it’s not the last,” said Williams.

The former YMCA in Farmington is hosting the camp. Farmington is one of only five cities in the nation hosting one of the camps.

USA Basketball sends guidelines for the camp but local coaches are conducting the sessions. The players can get USA basketball shirts based on their attendance.

“It’s been great, especially with the Olympics starting,” said Peoria Heights boys basketball coach Jimmy Jordan. “We’re trying to get kids excited about watching Olympic basketball and representing our country. We have a chance to give back to the kids and get them excited about the game.”

The other coaches working the camp at Stan Hangen (Manual), Andrew Farraigh (Peoria Heights), James Robertson (Dunlap), Luke Divan (Farmington) and Tim Melz (Farmington).

Former Bradley standout Marcellus Sommerville and current ICC women’s basketball player Addy Engel are also working the camp.

“You are representing your country and giving back to the community,” Jordan said. “It’s a free camp for kids. And it’s been a really cool experience.”

The camp will conclude this Saturday, July 27.

“Hopefully, years from now these kids will see I went to a USA Basketball Camp in Farmington,” Williams said. “Probably no one will believe them!”

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