LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Former NCAA champion and University of Louisville assistant coach Nolan Smith spent his birthday hosting a free basketball camp.
Smith hosted the camp Thursday morning for middle school boys at the F.O.C.U.S. Basketball Academy on River Road. The girls camp was held Tuesday.
The Louisville native said the camp — which served 100 students, including his son — focused on skill development, teamwork and the importance of sportsmanship. Smith said it also gives him an opportunity to honor and continue the legacy of his late father, U of L legend Derek Smith.
"This is something I wanted to do to make my dad proud," Smith said Thursday. "He ran camps here when he was coming up through this area, and, coming home, I always wanted to do something. I wanted to give back. I wanted to be involved in this community."
Smith was the 21st overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft after a four-year career at Duke University during which he won the 2010 National Championship. After a four-year pro career in the NBA and overseas, he was on Mike Krzyzewski's Duke staff for six years. He then served as an assistant under Kenny Payne at Louisville for two seasons.
He hasn't landed in another college basketball job since Payne was fired in March.
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