NBA star plays some one-on-one with local kids at Riverside

KAMLOOPS – Boston Celtics centre and Kamloops native Kelly Olynyk was in town today to shoot hoops with aspiring young basketball players on the courts at Riverside Park.

While the skies were overcast and the wind was brisk, the kids didn’t seem to mind. About 100 showed up for the hour-long event held by the City of Kamloops and Thompson Rivers University athletics.

In addition to free-for-all hoops and, if you were lucky, some one-on-one with the seven-footer, kids were able to get autographs and pictures with the NBA star. There was also a draw where two lucky winners got signed basketballs.

The 24-year-old Olynyk, who runs regular summer basketball clinics in Kamloops, has not forgotten his hometown.

“It’s the community that raised you, it’s important to give back. Especially to the kids.”

Boston Celtics centre Kelly Olynyk, 24, posing with some young fans in Riverside Park, Friday, July 24, 2015., About 100 kids showed up to shoot hoops with Boston Celtic centre and Kamloops native Kelly Olynyk at Riverside Park, Friday, July 24, 2015. Photographer: Dana Reynolds

To contact a reporter for this story, email Dana Reynolds at dreynolds@infonews.ca or call 250-819-6089. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.