NATCHEZ — The Alcorn State University basketball program will take its camp circuit on the road in June and the trip will include a stop in Natchez June 11 and 12.

Alcorn head coach Luther Riley said the camp will benefit the young campers as well as the future of Alcorn basketball.

“It serves the purpose for me as a teacher,” Riley said. “I love to teach the game. But it also gives you a chance to reach out to the surrounding cities and get people excited about our program and what we have to offer.

“The earlier we can get a child to think about Alcorn basketball, once we start recruiting, they have Alcorn basketball in mind. Every time they hear a basketball bounce, he thinks Alcorn basketball.”

Riley said the camp would be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 11 and 12 at Natchez High School. Boys and girls ages 5-17 are allowed to participate, and the cost for registration is $40 for both days.

Riley said the children will be split up into different age groups and learn different basketball skills.

“We want to get all the kids in Natchez there and want to teach skills and show them what it’s like to be on a college level,” Riley said. “We want them to get the college experience for one day in Natchez.”

Riley said Natchez was an obvious choice for one of the camp locations.

“Number one, we have a good relationship with the coaching staff and administration (at Natchez),” Riley said. “It’s also a centralized location for all the kids to be able to participate.”

McComb, Jackson and Ridgeland will also host camps. Riley said the camps are satellite events for the school’s big overnight basketball camp June 24-27.

“We are trying to set the stage for our overnight camp and get kids excited,” Riley said. “The overnight camp is very organized and structured. It will be very detailed, and they will learn a lot and have a lot of fun.”

Riley said he tries to deliver lessons that improve the players’ off-the-court skills as well as basketball skills.

“What I want to convey to the youngsters is bigger than basketball,” he said. “It’s a great passion of mine to teach youngsters how to play the game of basketball, and also teach life lessons through teamwork, commitment, dedication and sportsmanship.”

The $40 registration fee will include two days of camp, a T-shirt, a picture with Riley and an autographed poster of the Alcorn basketball team.

For more information about the camps or to register call 601-597-5462.