Former NBA player spreads love to Azalea city

VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - A Mitchell County High Schoo alum and former NBA player, Jumaine Jones took over Azalea city Friday and Saturday.

He hosted a mental health symposium, basketball camp, football camp and celebrity basketball game.

“Gone ahead and gave them a competition, give them life skills and being a good human. And being a good teammate and giving them encouraging words and go on and have something,” Jones said. “And to have Joe Smith here, the number one overall draft pick from 1995 and give them all skills that he learned throughout his time and we’re just enjoying our time in Valdosta.”

Jones said he hosted these events in Valdosta instead of Mitchell County High School to branch out to other communities.

“Valdosta came in and told us what they wanted to do and they really put forward and got the people in that really wanted to support what we’re doing,” he said. “I love Camilla and liked to go down there and do things. I actually just did something in Camilla. I really want to go around all of Southwest Georgia, to be honest with you. Just to give kids an experience they may not have been a part of this side of the country.”

Jones said he’s been preparing for the celebrity game for some time now.

“I’ve been working out these past three days, so you might see a 50 ball this afternoon,” said Jones.

Smith and Jones both picked up four points each early in the first for team Jones.

Team winnersville had a couple of deep 3′s to battle back.

Team Jones won the celebrity game 91-90.

Although Former Georgia bulldog and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Quincy Carter and Super Bowl champion, Anthony Smith weren’t able to make the celebrity game, they still held a football camp for Jones in Bazemore-Hyder stadium.

Carter detailed the importance of knowing how to run and Smith broke down how to play defensive back.

“That’s your base, that’s your start. Everything starts with shoulder width. We’ll be talking about being in a shoulder-width until they get through playing football if they reach the pinnacle of the NFL,” Carter said. “Everything starts from that base using your arms pushing off the balls of your feet down in the ground and hey springing off the balls of your feet.”

Smith added that it was important to also focus on the basics.

“Basic fundamental stuff as far as leverage in man or zone being inside, being outside. Understanding where your help is at in cover zero, which is none. Cover one, you have inside help, so just all the little tad bits. Hand placement when we press. We worked on a little press technique. Having patience at the line feet first and hands second,” said Smith.

A.C. Braswell, Founder of HOOPS Organization was the one who brought Jones to Valdosta. Braswell aims to bring more sports events to different cities while having a conversation about mental health. HOOPS Organization motivates those who are career minded to accomplish their hopes and dreams, whether through athletics, academics, workforce, as well as mental health. Their common goal is helping out by offering people solutions.

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