Why this Wichita native is hosting his summer basketball camp for free

When DJ Fisher was growing up in Wichita, he wished there was a summer basketball camp for the underprivileged and underrepresented.

So when the sports agent had the opportunity to move his sports agency business, Defining Sports, back to his hometown this past year, Fisher is turning his dream into reality with his “Just A Kid From Wichita” camp.

The one-day camp targeted for kids age 6-and-up will run on Saturday, August 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club. Campers will receive a free T-shirt and lunch, plus have the opportunity to win gifts from sponsors. Registration is available online at wichitacamps.com.

And the most important part? It’s free.

“I do it for free because it’s something I’m passionate about,” Fisher said. “If other people see me trying to help out kids from Wichita, then I feel like other business owners should get behind it as well.

“I want those kids that don’t get full meals at home and maybe don’t always have the nicest things. That’s why it’s free, so kids like that can come. Because at the end of the day, we’re all just a kid from Wichita anyway.”

Fisher said he is nearing 150 kids registered and possibly could top 200 by next weekend.

He will be assisted by Wichita standouts like Joe Mitchell, Kaelon Gary, Jawanza Poland, Garrius Holloman, Brison White, and Lawrence Wright.

Making sure Fisher secured an all-Wichita cast was important.

“I want those inner-city kids and kids of all backgrounds to see these guys who have made it and see that it’s possible,” Fisher said. “I know when I was a kid, we never got to meet players like that. We always heard about them, but never got to see them.”

This story was originally published July 23, 2018 at 6:30 PM with the headline "Why this Wichita native is hosting his summer basketball camp for free."