By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
Damien Wilkins was the man of the hour Saturday, as family and old friends came up to greet him during Saturday’s Fourth Annual “Fun Day” event.
While Wilkins was happy to see everybody, he was even happier to see all the smiles on the kids’ faces running around during “Fun Day.” Wilkins, a Washington native and a star with the Seattle SuperSonics, has returned home each of the last four years to give back to his community.
MEMORIES
Wilkins fondly recalls running around Washington while he was a kid.
DADDY’S DAY
Wilkins was joined by his son, Jayden, during Saturday’s “Fun Day” event. Little Jayden even saw some court time, although he was in his father’s arm, during Friday’s basketball camp at P.S. Jones Middle School.
Wilkins’ eyes seemed to gleem when he spoke about Jayden, and about enjoying his first Father’s Day as a dad.
Wilkins said that Jayden has opened his eyes to a new world.
HOOP DREAMS
Wilkins was happy to see his close friend and former Seattle teammate, Ray Allen, win a championship with the Boston Celtics.
Now Wilkins, who put up career-high numbers with 9.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.3 blocks per game last season, wants to celebrate an NBA title just like his good friend did.
MOVING DAY?
Wilkins is not exaxtly sure where he’ll be playing next year. The owner of the SuperSonics is hoping the team will play at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City next year. However, the city of Seattle wants the team to stay put and remain playing at KeyArena in Seattle.
Since it’s out of his control, Wilkins isn’t worrying about the situation.
FUTURE ‘FUN DAY’ EVENTS
Whether he’s in Oklahoma City, Seattle or somewhere else next year, Wilkins is already looking forward to another basketball camp and his Fifth Annual “Fun Day” next year.