LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville basketball alum and member of the ‘86 National Championship team Robbie Valentine is hosting a three-day basketball camp for young boys and girls living in Louisville’s West End. 

“Basketball lures you in. Once you get them in there, you can focus on so many things to help young people,” Valentine told reporters Monday.

According to Valentine, the camp is designed to go beyond sharpening a young player’s on-the-court skills. He was inspired, Valentine says, by some unfortunate images seen during Louisville protests. 

“That day when I was seeing on TV, it really broke my heart because if there is a 10-year-old kid throwing rocks at a car ... there’s something not positive going on at home,” Valentine explained. “I see a lot of these Black boys and Black girls that really want some positive role models in their life. They want it too."

The camp will also provide health screenings, dental screening and coronavirus testing for family members. 

“We’ll be passing out toothbrushes and just doing screening at the event, but if these individuals need comprehensive care later on we’ll be happy to go to their homes and provide those services to them as well,” Dr. Kwane Watson of Kare Dental said. 

Children aged five to 15 years old are encouraged to register. There is an initial cap of 75 participants, but Valentine says if more sign up, the event will grow. Signs ups can be completed online.