Talk about a great alley-oop pass that led to a slam dunk.
Lowell native Terance Mann continued Thursday to give back to his community, as the NBA player gave pointers to young basketball players in Westford and promoted a unique academic fair.
The Terance Mann Complete Player Foundation Sixth Annual Basketball Camp, held for boys and girls ages 8–18 from Lowell and the surrounding communities, came to a close after another successful run at the The Mill Works.
The basketball camp and academic fair ended Thursday, but Mann, a shooting guard for the Brooklyn Nets, vows to keep raising money and attention for an area he has done so much for.
“I want people to really understand how much I care about this community. It’s awesome to see how many young people we’ve been able to reach so far. The academic fair is a huge part of that because it’s about creating the same kinds of opportunities for kids in Lowell that I had growing up – connecting them with prep schools, scholarship opportunities and resources that can open doors for their future. We’re proud of what we’ve built in a short period of time and we’re just getting started. I want to continue to grow TMCPF and make a lasting difference for young people in this community,” Mann said Thursday.
Brooklyn Nets guard and Lowell native Terance Mann sits courtside with a young participant during his basketball camp Thursday. James Thomas for the Lowell Sun
A four-year star at Florida State University, Mann has played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks and now Brooklyn.
Other professional athletes run camps for youths during the summer, but Mann has added an academic fair, also held at The Mill Works.
More than 50 prep and private schools shared information with youth and their families about their academic and athletic opportunities. Mann, who attended Hillside School and Tilton School, is passionate about providing similar opportunities for urban youth.
The Terance Mann Complete Player Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to increasing access and breaking down barriers for underserved youth in athletics and academics. The foundation has invested $600,000 in youth and initiatives in Lowell.
Brooklyn Nets guard and Lowell native Terance Mann addresses a group of participants before a showcase game during his basketball camp in Westford. James Thomas for the Lowell Sun
To say Daynia La-Force is a proud mother would be a massive understatement. She is the foundation’s executive director.
“Giving back to this community is deeply personal to me. Raising Terance and his younger brother Martin in Lowell while I was coaching at Northeastern, I witnessed firsthand how access to the right educational and athletic opportunities can change a young person’s life,” she said. “Terance and Martin were fortunate to have those opportunities at Hillside, Tilton and Lawrence Academy. Now through the Terance Mann Complete Player Foundation we are working to provide that same access to underserved youth. This community has given so much to our family, and this is our way of giving back, breaking down barriers and opening doors for the next generation.”