Tobias Harris Back Home to Coach Next Generation

Hills West graduate Tobias Harris is back home following his outstanding rookie season with the Milwaukee Bucks. The local talent may be on break from the NBA, but he's not slowing down.

Harris is fitting in as many workouts and practice sessions as possible during the off-season to get ready for his next year with the Bucks. He hopes that determination will rub off on the campers of the 2012 Tobias Harris School of Business Basketball Camp, a co-ed summer skills clinic for young player looking to take their game to the next level.

The NBA rookie started the camp last year as a way to contribute to the place that helped to mold his career.

“Kids are our future and it’s always great to give back to the community you grow up in,” he said.

It will be the second year of the camp, which focuses on the essential ingredients to be molded into a well-developed player including passing, ball handling, shooting, rebounding, footwork, defense and teamwork. Daily workouts and routines are expected to push the limits of the young athletes through daily stations, individual competitions, and tournaments.

While the camp is geared for intensive training, Harris isn’t all work and no play. After all, the 19-year-old is arguably still a kid himself.

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“It’s fun to be around these kids. You get to see their perspective and seem them with a smile on their faces,” he said.

Harris’ name blew up media waves last year as the youngest collegiate player in 2011 draft. He kept his name out there with a successful rookie season, participating in the starting line up in several games and acting as a main contribution to the team. Despite the fame and fortune of an NBA salary, Harris hasn’t let the hype get to his head. He lives at home with his parents and siblings (he is one of six), and said that he’s not interested in dropping his money into a mansion and when he’s not working out with his trainers, he spends his time in the area catching up with his high school friends. Humility and personal strength are two of the lessons he hopes to pass on to his campers.

“I tell them about making the right decisions in life, staying on the right path. I get the point across about drugs and teach them about being a leader,” he said.

Harris will be coaching each day of the camp, along with professional trainers and graduates of the high school varsity teams.

The first session of the camp will take place June 25-29. The second will be from August 20-24. Both clinics are for boys and girls grades five through 12. The camp takes place at Hills East. The cost is $295 per session.

To register, visit http://www.eventzilla.net/web/event?eventid=2138970135.