NBA guard and Modesto native gives back at 35th Modesto Slam-N-Jam youth program
At the end of the morning session of the Modesto Slam-N-Jam basketball camp, a group of third-, fourth- and fifth-grade campers huddled in a circle with the ball they were allowed to take home that day tight in their grasp.
At the center stood Miami Heat guard, Olympian and Modesto native Gabe Vincent, who at 6-foot-3 towered over the kids in formation around him. Pen in hand and smile on his face, he signed the ball of the campers in that circle and greeted others who came up just looking to interact with a pro with a high five and a smile.
Vincent, who is spending the summer working out in Sacramento, comes back to the area as much as possible in the offseason, helping out at Slam-N-Jam any time he can. The camp was his introduction to basketball in the second grade and at the time had an AAU team that Vincent played on as well. He spent the next six years learning from camp instructors who played high-level high school basketball, went on to play in college and some in the pros, most Slam-N-Jam alumni themselves and still part of the program today.
“This program was basically the beginning of my basketball career,” said Vincent, who made appearances at the camp Tuesday and Wednesday. “When you’re this age and as young as the kids in the camp are, you really don’t know what it’s gonna end up being for you personally. But it gave me all the fundamentals I needed, the structure and the opportunity to play the game in a safe environment and to grow.”
It’s not every day a local camp can bring back high-level talent, but at Slam-N-Jam it would be hard to find someone who hasn’t played at the next level. Campers – who were split into two groups, a morning session of third- through fifth-graders and an afternoon session of sixth- through eighth-graders – are taught by high school and college basketball players as well as current and former pros. The camp was Tuesday through Friday at Big Valley Christian School.
Coaches teach fundamentals during the first two days, then participants play games and the camp ends with an all-star game. This year, Modesto Slam-N-Jam offered spring camps and two summer sessions – one in the first week of June and one in the first week of July. Rising sixth-grader Marissa Martinez attended all three camps this year.
“I’ve been to different basketball camps and they’re not like Slam-N-Jam,” she said. “Here, they’re checking up on you seeing how you’re doing, they’re checking up on how you’re doing not just in basketball, but outside of basketball. And all the coaches are really nice. They get to know you and they teach you new things every day.”
Martinez didn’t believe she’d actually see an NBA player at the camp this week but not only was he there, Vincent was also hands-on with the campers all day, even stepping in on some drills.
“I didn’t believe it at first,” Martinez said. “He’s really nice and supportive and today, in the time he was with us, he taught me so many new and different things that I didn’t even know before.”
Said Vincent on the importance of interacting with campers: “It’s rare that you get to be in front of an NBA player. I know how much that would have meant to me. I looked up to the guys that played in high school in this area and it was inspiring. It’s all about inspiring somebody else. We very well may have the next Adrian Oliver in there or the next Reeves Nelson, you go down the list of guys … and they very well may be in this camp right now.”
In its 35th year, Modesto Slam-N-Jam continues to be a staple in the basketball community. Founder and director Bobby Cole Sr. says he’s looking to expand and bring back elements like the AAU team and camps for high school-age kids as well.
“It’s been going on over 30-some years and it’s been so long we’re starting to see parents who have kids and they played in slam jam 30-some years ago.” said Cole Sr.
Cole Sr. says that players such as Vincent, are proof that local camps and teams work and young players don’t always have to go out of Stanislaus County to get noticed and make it to the next level.
For Vincent, he’ll come back as often as he can to pour into the next generation of local talent.
“It’s still home at the end of the day,” Vincent said. “I can live wherever but this is an area that’s near and dear to my heart, where I grew up. Basketball has been my route and I know how much the game can do for you if you give it a lot to it. I think there’s a lot of people in this area that could get school paid for just by playing ball and I think this is a really cool opportunity.
“Any way I can be around to help kids reach their dreams, or set some goals, or just grow this game, make some friends and have fun, that’s what I’m all about.”
This story was originally published July 9, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
