Since 2010, the Kenny Durrett Youth Organization has sponsored the Kenny Durrett Basketball Camp, named in honor of the late NBA player, who played in the professional league and was a native of the Pittsburgh community.
This year’s camp took place last month at The Barack Obama Academy, 515 N. Highland Ave., East Liberty. Open to kids, boys and girls, from 8-14 years, this year’s sessions were supervised and coached by various middle school and high school athletic personnel from several Pittsburgh schools.
Before his passing, Durrett, after a successful career in the NBA, gave back to his community by making it possible for youngsters to obtain the beginning of the necessary skills in athletics.
Currently, the youth organization is in the care of Durrett’s daughter and son, Beverly Durrett and Kenny Durrett Jr. “Thanks to many of the parents of the kids, we are able to have lunches and drinks for the participants of the camp,” Beverly Durrett, executive director of KDYO, said.
“What I hope to do in the future is have these types of camps quarterly during the year throughout the city. I think this would be great way to help in the fight against street crimes that are a plague in our communities,” she said.
Early during the camp, Darnell Dinkins, a Schenley High School alum and former NFL player, spoke with the kids about what it takes to become a professional athlete.
“My dad loved the game of basketball and he loved to teach,” said Kenny Durrett Jr. “More importantly my dad loved to teach the fundamentals of the game. Lots of kids think they know how to play, but they do not. Not knowing the fundamentals will not allow them to play the game to win.”
“In the future we hope to develop a league for the kids to compete in around the city and call it the, KDL. Maybe a 10 and under or a 14 and under type tournament for boys and girls, and mentorships for the boys and girls as well,” he added.
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