MOORE — The Oklahoma City Thunder are doing more than just building a winning basketball team. They are reaching out to communities outside of Oklahoma City to extend their appreciation for the support the entire state has shown them.
Holding youth basketball camps around the state is one way they are giving back to the community. This week the Thunder are in Norman at the Whittier Recreation Center at Whittier Middle School doing a Monday through Friday skills camp for kids ages 5-16 in Cleveland County.
“We have 67 kids at this camp this week and our goal is to make them better basketball players,” director of Youth Basketball Tyler Blackwell said. “We really want to reach outside of the Oklahoma City area and get out to surrounding communities like Moore and Norman.”
Several Thunder Coaches and players including 2010 Thunder draft pick Cole Aldrich will be helping with the camp and teaching young kids the game of basketball. The campers are put through a series of drills and workouts that are designed to not only make them better players, but give them plenty of physical activity. Despite the heat.
“With it being as hot as it is, even in the gym here, we have to make sure to keep the kids hydrated and give them plenty of breaks,” Blackwell said.
Cole Aldrich is set to make his appearance at the camp on Thursday afternoon where he will talk to media, sign autographs and most importantly teach the kids a couple rebounding techniques.
The Thunder have two more camps after summer at the Boys and Girls Club in Oklahoma City from July 26-30 and August 9-13 at the Transformation Fitness Center in Edmond.
“Our hope is to touch as many communities as we can,” Blackwell said. “It is a great thing to get the opportunity to branch out to our fans all over the state and watch the kids having the time of their lives.”
