SAN ANTONIO (July 11, 2023) – The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) men's basketball program, in conjunction with the San Antonio Spurs, are hosting a youth camp from July 9-14 at OLLU Mabee Gymnasium. The overnight event includes 63 players ages 14-18 who receive the full college experience, from dining at the cafeteria to staying in the Flores Residence Hall.

Saints Head Coach Chris Dial and Assistant Coach David Smith worked with various staff members from the Spurs to host the camp. Spurs Vice President of Youth Sports Joe Clark and Associate Director of Camps and Clinics Austin Peebles work with youth camps year-round and helped bring the clinic to OLLU for the first time. This season marks the 50th anniversary of the camps.

Clark and Peebles have been with the Spurs for many years and bring a wealth of knowledge to the participants. Clark started as an intern in ticket sales for the Spurs and has been with the organization for 38 years. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin prior to joining the program. He commented, "This was the first time we were able to work with the university to put together this camp. We have a great relationship with Head Coach Chris Dial and the men's basketball staff. OLLU President Chávez (Abel Antonio Chávez, MBA, PhD) supported this idea to bring the Spurs brand to the community. We teach values off the court including being a good teammate and having respect for the game and opponents." Clark added that players from throughout the United States and different countries are attending the camp.

Peebles has 15 years of experience and started as a coordinator. He also worked with the Chicago Bulls prior to joining the Spurs organization. The Illinois native handles setting up the coaching staff for the camps, managing the equipment, player appearances and more. He notes that having a solid structure of coaches helps the sessions run smoothly.

Pictured from left-right: Lena Wilson, Tommie Law, Antonio Gipson, Marvis Odia, Xavier Purnell and David Smith.

Smith reached out to former and current Saints basketball players and coaches to help during the sessions. Lena Wilson played with the Saints women's basketball team from 2016-2019 and is a member of the Saints 1,000-Point Club. She became a teacher after graduating from OLLU and coaches basketball in the Judson Independent School District. Wilson said, "My coaching duties during the camps are teaching defensive techniques. The athletes are taught to communicate and recognize defensive positions."

Tommie Law currently plays for the Saints men's basketball squad, and this marks his fourth time teaching the overnight camp. Law shared that he's working with the athletes on offensive moves to counter the defense. Law's teammate Xavier Purnell is also mentoring and is in his second year working with the Spurs camps. Purnell noted that the relationships between the Spurs and OLLU are valuable.

Marvis Odia is the third player from the current OLLU roster. Odia commented, "This week I have been teaching shooting drills, including form shooting and set shots. It's great having an impact on the players, and this camp teaches them the right way to play." The final member from the Saints is manager Antonio Gipson. The Houston native has been tasked with passing drills, which teaches sharing the ball with teammates and making quick decisions.

The camp ends with a tournament and awards ceremony on the final day. Smith spearheaded working with the Spurs organization to bring the camp to the Westside of San Antonio. Smith said, "The coaches have been great on not only teaching basketball lessons but explaining how they arrived to OLLU and what their youth basketball life entailed. We push the values of the Spurs organization which are integrity, caring and success in order to make the biggest impact possible on the community."