LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) – For some families, a summer basketball clinic is somewhat of the norm but for some, a simple game of basketball can be life changing.
All it takes is a little encouragement. It’s what most kids need and love.
“Right off the square in center – let’s do it! You can jam that thing! One more try,” Luke Hancock says enthusiastically to the kids.
Many of the kids walk around in awe, learning skills from the beloved former Louisville Cardinals player.
For them, it’s a big feat to feel included and an even bigger feat to feel like a professional basketball player.
Hancock’s third annual basketball camp for children with autism was co-hosted by FEAT, or Families for Effective Autism Treatment.
The camp teaches the fundamentals of basketball while helping them with socialization.
“A lot of these kids can’t be on regular basketball teams, so we’re looking for things like this where they can just learn skills, learning how to pass, learning how to dribble, learning how to focus – all of that is so important to our kids,”
For mom Donna McGraw, the only word to describe what the camp does is awesome.
“My Jordan, he has autism. He’s 13 and he has come here for the last four years,” she said.
McGraw and other parents, guardians and caretakers share the same excitement and for Hancock, it’s sharing the love of the game and his community.
“I love doing basketball camps obviously and I think all these kids deserve the opportunity to go to basketball camp and feel like normal kids,” he said.
McGraw added, “these activities make you feel like you’re like everyone else. Everybody gets treated the same way. Jordan, on the way home, will laugh and smile all the way home after these activities.”
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