Former Smiths Station basketball player honored by kids’ basketball camp

SMITHS STATION, Ala. (WRBL) — A three-day basketball camp was held in honor of a former Smiths Station basketball player who lost his life to gun violence in 2017.

Quoyai Shorter was murdered a year after graduating high school and was headed to play at Johnson & Wales in North Carolina after playing collegiately at Wentworth Military Academy in Indiana.

Shorter’s sister, Shonna tells WRBL it has been six years since his death and the family plans to continue to uplift Qouyai’s legacy.

“This is the fourth annual basketball camp.” Shonna says. “ Every year we see it growing and see it get more interested.”

Shonna says, “It makes my heart warm that his legacy is still being alive and people still knowing his name really makes me feel honored that people would keep that interest and honor of his name.”

Children ages 8-18 come to the camp to learn the fundamentals of the game and create bonds like Qouyai once did.

Airen Brooks, Quoyai’s Cousin who is the head coach for the camp told WRBL that he participates in the camp as a way to show honor to the relationship he and Quoyai once had on- and off the court.

Airen Brooks says, “The only reason I do the camp is because of how close we were.”

Airen Brooks now plays basketball on a professional level overseas. At the camp, Airen Brooks brought other professional level players to come and speak to the youth.

Garrison Brooks, a power forward and center, plays in Lithuania. He attended  Auburn High School and says he competed against Quoyai throughout his college career.

Garrison Brooks says he hopes the children at the camp keep growing in the game and that the game takes them further than it has taken him.

Jessika Carter, a Harris County High School graduate who’s played in the WNBA, also spoke to WRBL about what she wants the kids to take with them from the camp.

She says, “I want the kids out here to know that they can still be competitive, but still be positive.”

Shonna Shorter tells WRBL that being able to guide the youth to live out their dreams would be the best way to live out her brother’s legacy.

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