ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A Rochester basketball camp is teaching campers a lot more than just basketball skills. In a city plagued by recent violence, it’s an effort that coaches feel can go a long way toward solving some of society’s problems.  

On the basketball court at East High School, it’s a clinic of skills. Some of them are taught, while some are already learned.  

What You Need To Know

  • A Rochester basketball camp is teaching campers a lot more than just basketball skills

  • Campers gather before each session, discussing topics which go well beyond basketball, like crime and policing

  • It’s a difficult reality for a lot of the young men

“The best part in this environment like being around my friends, being able to play basketball with people I grew up with,” said Caquan Wester, who will be a senior at Eastridge High School. “It’s pretty fun.”

Wester has the basketball part down. It’s some of the other lessons at coach Gerard Iglesia’s basketball camp that are still sinking in.

“Crime’s not going anywhere,” said Iglesia, a local coaching legend who’s been running the free camp since 2005. “In fact, it’s as bad as it’s ever been.”

Iglesia gathers campers before each session, discussing topics which go well beyond basketball. Crime and policing are frequent topics, as Rochester deals with a rise in shootings and killings.

“A lot of my friends have been passing away and going to jail,” said Wester. “And it's sad, because I grew up with them, played sports together. It’s just been hard.”

It’s a difficult reality for a lot of these young men.

“I’ve asked that question before,” said Iglesia. “And virtually all the kids who live in the city who raised their hand knew somebody who has either been shot, or killed.”

That’s why Wester plays with a heavy heart. His close friend was killed over the weekend. Angel Gonzalez-Pagan, 18, was one of four people shot in a Walmart parking lot in Rochester. They were friends since sixth grade.

“I met him, and we had just kicked it from there,” said Wester, who says his mom moved the family to Irondequoit when he was in sixth grade to get away from a tough neighborhood. “We used to go to the beach, we just used to have fun. It was always good vibes. When I found out that he passed, it just broke me.”

The lessons at this camp go much deeper than basketball. Police officers are among those who coach. They discuss issues like mental health, responsibility and accountability.

“I think those things are so important for kids to have role models and mentors,” said Iglesia. “That will go a long way.”

Some lessons — go far beyond just basketball.

“It gives people a chance to get off the streets,” said Wester. “Stay in the gym. Do what you love. Play basketball.”