Kobe Bryant hosted his eighth annual basketball academy this year, for boys and girls ages 8 to 18. Kids travel from all around the globe to attend Bryant’s very well known basketball camp, held once again this year at UC Santa Barbara. In addition to teaching fundamental basketball skills, Bryant’s camp focuses on teaching kids about self-confidence and togetherness.
“Enjoy yourself, challenge yourself. Push yourself. Work together as a group, help each other out. Help each other be better,” Bryant said in his opening remarks to the campers.
Over the five days, the campers interact with Kobe as he walks around teaching different basketball techniques; plus, have picture day and an autograph session. Most of the kids seem to know each other and have been coming to Kobe’s camp for years, using it as a time to reconnect with old friends.
“You want to feel like you’re doing something more than just playing basketball and winning games and championships, right?” Bryant explained to the media before visiting with the campers. “It has to go somewhere else. You have to be able to try to pay it forward.”
For more info on Bryant’s Basketball Academy, head over to kobebryant.com/academy
[divide]VIDEO: Kobe Bryant on His Health, Free Agency, Jim & Jeanie Buss
