Seattle native Spencer Hawes chose to enter the family business at a young age. His father and two uncles imparted their knowledge on him while he was growing up. They taught him many of the skills that he needed to become a professional and make money with his passion – basketball.
Hawes will hold a basketball camp at Juanita High School June 26-29 and impart some of that knowledge to boys and girls ages 6-16.
“This is my fourth year doing a camp and I have held it in various places,” said Hawes, who played for the Philadelphia 76ers this past season. “I like Juanita High School because of how big it is and how easily accessible it is. I am looking forward to working with a new group of kids.”
Hawes said that he knows he had an advantage growing up with his uncle, Steve Hawes, being a former professional basketball player. His father Jeff and uncle Kinnie also played at a high level in high school and college.
“It has been great to have my uncle and dad as such close resources,” said Hawes, who is 24. “Not only did they have good advice when I was drafted but back to when I was 12 years old. But it was nice to have my uncle there to talk to about the business side of it as a 19 year old. It was great to have that road map.”
Hawes wants to help impart his basketball knowledge to area youth during the four-day event, but the 7-feet-1 center said that the camp is about more than learning a layup or a fade-away jumper.
“We will also talk about being a success off the court,” Hawes said, noting that the camp will address nutritional issues and staying focused.
He said that he plans to be at the camp all four days and have some guest appearances from some of his basketball friends.
Hawes played at Seattle Prep and guided the team to a state title. He then went to follow his uncle to the University of Washington, where he played one year before being drafted into the NBA.
Another NBA veteran had a big impact on Hawes – former Rainier Beach High School star Jamal Crawford.
“He is the model of giving back,” said Hawes, who has been a guest speaker at Crawford’s camps in the area. “I just want to give back to the community and continue that legacy.”
Hawes said that all his basketball friends have stories and good memories about hoops camps that they attended.
He created some NBA memories this past season, helping to guide his 76ers team to a first-round win against the Bulls and then push the Boston Celtics to seven games during the second round.
“I think it was a chance for the entire team to show what we didn’t get credit for during the regular season,” said Hawes, who is currently an unrestricted and coveted free agent after five years in the league. “I would like to stay in Philadelphia. But this is the first time I get to make a decision for myself.”
Hawes said that he still lives in the Seattle area during the off season.
“It is cool to be able to come back and have that part of my life,” said Hawes. “To come back to some relative normalcy.”
Hawes has not played in Seattle as a professional and as a fan misses having a professional franchise in the area.
“There is definitely a huge void,” said Hawes. “I was lucky enough to have season tickets growing up and it gave me my dream to play professionally. They gave so much to the community.”
There is a big contingent of NBA players who grew up in Seattle. Hawes said that while the basketball community may not feel it now or in five years, but not having a professional team in the area will get felt eventually.
“You will see the impact down the line,” said Hawes. “The Sounders are the hot team right now and some of those basketball kids are going to soccer.”
Hawes will try to do his part in Kirkland to get kids excited about his favorite sport.
“I am very excited about the camp and really looking forward to it,” said Hawes.
More information
Spencer Hawes basketball camp will run from June 26-29, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Juanita High School for ages 6-16. Both boys and girls are welcome at a cost of $275. For more information, visit www.athleticfoundations.com
