Stephen A. Smith partnering with IMG Academy to host $2,899 basketball camp
Former Winston-Salem State University guard and current ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith plans to pass on his decades' worth of basketball expertise to the next wave of athletes this summer.
On Thursday, national powerhouse IMG Academy, based in Bradenton, Florida, announced its Stephen A. Smith Basketball Camp at IMG Academy, which it billed as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
During the week-long program, which is scheduled to run from Aug. 6-12, the "First Take" host will deliver inspiring messages and take part in "several engaging opportunities" with attendees, including a question-and-answer session. Participants will also receive exclusive camp-branded apparel.
"To have my own basketball camp associated with IMG Academy is an incredible opportunity for me to share my story and help inspire the next generation," Smith wrote in a press release.
"Providing advice on what it takes to succeed not only on the court, but also beyond the shot clock, is something I'm very passionate about. I'm honored that IMG Academy sees me as someone who can be an extension of its mission of empowering student-athletes to win in their future, preparing them for college and for life."
The camp's starting price is a whopping $2,899, including boarding. Though it's a "blasphemous" cost for advice from someone who averaged 1.5 points per game as a college senior, consider it a bargain compared to other camps IMG offers. The school provides three one-week programs beginning at a higher rate than Smith's, with the most expensive package costing $4,169.
Fortunately for the campers, IMG says top coaches with professional and collegiate experience will accompany Smith. The students should be in good hands, given the school's track record of producing professional athletes.
For context, 16 IMG Academy alumni went on to become NBA Draft picks, including nine since 2017. Multiple Ascenders have been selected in each of the past three drafts, a trend that will likely continue this year with Baylor's Keyonte George and Houston's Jarace Walker.
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