Kids Camp Celebrates Basketball Legends with Jersey Day at UNM

The Eric Olen Basketball Camp at the Pit was abuzz with excitement on Wednesday as young participants celebrated "Wear Your Favorite Jersey Day." This event brought out a myriad of sports icons, from LeBron James to Stephen Curry, and even included jerseys representing soccer star Lionel Messi and football legend Brian Urlacher. The 97 campers, alongside over a dozen Lobo players and coaching staff, donned their favorite jerseys, showcasing a vibrant array of athletic heritage.

While many campers sported Lobo basketball jerseys, one notable absence was Jake Hall, who wore the jersey of his teammate, Chris Howell. Hall reflected on his admiration for Howell, saying, "I watched Chris at Torrey Pines High School growing up... He was a great player. And now, he's also a great teammate and a friend." Howell, who has recently changed his jersey number from 8 to 5, was honored by several campers, including new arrival Beni Schuch, who echoed Hall’s sentiments about Howell's mentorship.

The camp, which caters to children entering grades one through eight, is designed to foster connections between young fans and Lobo players. Coach Eric Olen expressed the importance of the camp, stating, "It’s a great opportunity for our players to get to know some of our younger fans... We hope to provide a really fun experience for the kids." The final day of this week’s camp is Thursday, while another session is scheduled for late July.

Lobo point guard Uriah Tenette shared his enthusiasm about seeing campers in his jersey, even though he has yet to wear it himself this season. "It's a little wild still to see people wearing my jersey," Tenette remarked. He humorously noted that he wore the No. 2 jersey of strength and conditioning coach Charisse Williams, highlighting the camaraderie and connection that these camps foster among players and young fans.

In addition to these summer camps, UNM is set to host a team camp for high school athletes at the end of June, reflecting the program’s commitment to engaging with the community and promoting basketball at all levels.