Porter gives pointers at SCC camp

SIKESTON, Mo. -- He chose to work with the younger group who were just finishing up a hectic scrimmage game hurling basketballs at the rim like tomahawk missiles.

When he spoke, Otto Porter Jr.'s young fans ceased fire and awed at what the 6-foot-8 NBA forward had to say.

The young basketball prospects, some wearing their Washington Wizards, No. 22 shirts, were clamoring for the chance to be taught by the same player they witnessed on the gym floor below them. It's the same court that, coincidentally, is now called "Otto Porter Court"

Porter headlined the Scott County Central All Schools Foundation basketball camp at Scott Central High School on Friday where nearly 50 children were in attendance.

"They were waiting for [Porter] when he walked in this morning and you could see the big eyes light up," Scott County Central basketball coach Frank Staple said. "It's not every day that you get to be around an NBA player. These guys will have this memory for a long time."

Former Scott County Central standout and current Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter takes a break during the Scott County Central All Schools Foundation basketball camp Friday at Ronnie Cookson Gymnasium in Morley, Missouri. (Chris Pobst ~ Standard Democrat)

As enjoyable as it was for the kids, it also was a joy for Porter.

The Washington Wizards forward was happy to be part of the camp as a way of giving back to the community surrounding the Scott County Central School District.

"It was tough because when I was growing up we didn't have somebody to come back and have a camp with us," Porter said. "When we did camps, we had to go far away just to go to a camp. To have something local is a lot better.

"I wanted to give back to the kids. This isn't about me. It's about them, and I wanted to come back and do something for them."

At one point, Porter put his arm around the neck of a young player, gave a word of advice and soon they both let out a grin.

Former Scott County Central standout and current Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter takes a break during the Scott County Central All Schools Foundation basketball camp Friday, Aug. 8, inside Ronnie Cookson Gymnasium. Nearly 50 kids grades 7-10 were in attendance learning the fundamentals of basketball from Porter, his father Otto Porter, Sr., Scott County Central head coach Frank Staple and others. (Chris Pobst photo)

"The thing about Otto is that he just works so well with the kids," Staple said. "He's still the same kid, and I don't think he'll ever change. That's what makes him so special. Even if he goes out and becomes an NBA All-Star this year, he's going to be the same old 'Bubba'."

Porter was taken third overall by the Washington Wizards during the 2013 NBA Draft. He played two years at Georgetown University where he won Big East Player of the Year following his sophomore year, which was his last season with the Hoyas.

Porter won three consecutive Class 1 state championships with the Scott Central Braves from 2009 to 2011 and ended his high school career as Scott Central's second-leading scorer.

He'll be entering his second year with the Wizards in a far better situation than he began his rookie season. Porter was sidelined with a hip flexor injury that exiled him from Summer League play as well as preseason. He played in just 37 games and averaged two points and 1.5 rebounds his first NBA season.

"I'm healthy right now," Porter said. "This time last year I was hurt so I couldn't really go like I wanted to. This year I'm healthy, working hard and developing."

Porter burst onto the Summer League scene in mid-July, helping the Wizards stay unbeaten for a while. He averaged 17 points and six rebounds in four games before losing to the San Antonio Spurs in the quarterfinals of the Summer League championship bracket.

"Playing in the Summer League definitely helped," Porter said. "I didn't get to play in it last year, so this year playing in it just helped my confidence."

While Porter gained confidence on the professional level, he wanted to express that same message to his young basketball hopefuls at his camp. He rarely missed an opportunity to teach while at the same time keeping it fun.

"I like to see them happy and having fun while learning the game of basketball," Porter said. "I want to help them out, get their fundamentals right and give them something for them to work on."

All proceeds from the camp go to the SCC All Schools Foundation that benefit the elementary, junior and senior high schools. The camp ended Saturday with Porter heading back to the East Coast today.

"He wants them to understand the concepts of hard work and you're going to get out of this game what you put into it," Staple said. "That's something he always did and something his dad always stressed to him. He wants to pass some of the lessons he learned on down to them."