Imo Essien wants local kids to learn what health scares taught him: basketball matters less than the person you become off the court.

The Wylie native, who grew up and attended middle school in the city before playing four years of high school basketball at Bishop Lynch in Dallas, will host his fourth annual Imo Essien Back to School Basketball Camp on Saturday, Aug. 29, at Bishop Lynch High School. The camp is free. Every participant gets a meal.

Essien, a former Division I guard at Old Dominion University, launched the camp in 2023 after a respiratory issue forced him off the court during his sophomore season. The setback didn't end there.

"I collapsed a couple of more times in my career after the first one because of heart issues," Essien told Wylie News. "The tragedy shifted my mind and my priorities in life. I wanted to leave an impact on the community and for the kids to benefit from the stuff that I've learned."

The camp idea started with text messages between Essien and his family, including his mother, LaTres, while he recovered. Four years in, the event draws about 100 kids.

Who can attend

Two age groups are served:

• Grades 3–5: 9 a.m. to noon
• Grades 6–8: 1 to 4 p.m.

A meal is provided at the end of each session. Coaches work with campers at individual stations covering four core skills: dribbling, defense, passing and shooting. Those skills then get folded into games.

More than hoops

Essien said the camp's goal is to balance school and fun. He credits his own classroom work with earning him a scholarship to Old Dominion and wants young players to understand that academics open doors athletics alone cannot.

Now based in Rockwall, Essien describes himself on his X profile as someone "using basketball to serve God and impact his people."

How to register

Registration is open through a Google Form. The camp is free of charge.