For the third year in a row, Northside native and basketball star Jakim Donaldson and his father Jay Donaldson hosted a free basketball camp for kids across the city.

Donaldson grew up in the Northside and played basketball at Oliver High School before graduating from Edinboro College and moving on to professional basketball overseas. He currently plays for Cantera Base 1939 Canarias in the Canary Islands.

Together with his father Jay, founder of P.R.O.M.I.S.E, he holds the free Jakim Donaldson P.R.O.M.I.S.E. basketball camp every year to give back to the community he grew up in.

“It’s amazing to see the growth of these kids in three days, both mentally and physically,” said Jakim Donaldson.

The Donaldsons saw returning campers as well as new ones this year, which Jakim said is the “best of both worlds.”

About 75 kids came over the course of the four day camp and improved not just their basketball skills, but their life skills as well.

“We teach the kids skills and life that they can use off the basketball court,” said Jay Donaldson who encourages kids to be responsible, work hard in school and respect elders. “We tell them, ‘Shoot basketballs, not bullets.’”

The camp was held August 14-16 at Allegheny Traditional Academy and had more than 20 volunteers on hand.

[wppa type=”slide” album=”9″][/wppa]