The annual Tommy Burleson Basketball Camp wrapped up on Friday at the Avery Parks and Recreation Rock Gym with a visit from NC State and ABA/NBA legend David Thompson.Thompson, a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, spoke to the youngsters attending camp about his life growing up, his storied college and pro career, and of the poor decisions he made in the past in regard to alcohol abuse.
"Skywalker", as Thompson was known during his playing days, also showed why he was touted as having the greatest vertical leap of any player in collegiate and perhaps NBA history, throwing down a slam dunk for old time's sake.
Over 55 campers enjoyed a week of drills, scrimmages, techniques and fundamentals taught by Burleson, two-time ACC Tournament Most Outstanding Player and one of the greatest centers in college basketball history, as well as high school players who worked with students from third grade through high school age.
In addition to Thompson, other noted guests appeared during the week-long camp. Bobby Jones, a former North Carolina Tar Heel star who was an 11-time member of the NBA All-Defensive Team during his 12 seasons in the league and won an NBA championship as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, spoke to the campers on Thursday morning.
Former West Virginia and Duke head basketball coach and nationally-renowned broadcaster Bucky Waters attended Friday morning's camp session and visited with those in attendance.
More on the camp can be found in next week's print edition of the Avery Journal-Times
