For a longtime player in the National Basketball Association, it might seem a little odd that three of Travis Outlaw’s favorite days of the year take place at the Starkville Sportsplex.
Outlaw will again serve as host for the The Elite “Travis Outlaw” Basic Skills and Fundamentals Basketball Camp on Tuesday through Thursday at the Outlaw Center at the Sportsplex. The camp is open to all age groups and will run from 8 a.m. to noon each day. The cost is $75 per person.
“The biggest thing professional athletes can do is give back to the community,” Outlaw said. “Even though it may seem like a small part, you never know the impact you can have on a young person, even in a short amount of time.”
Outlaw’s 12-year NBA career included playing stops with Portland, L.A. Clippers, New Jersey, and Sacramento. Sacramento traded Outlaw to the New York Knicks prior to start of last season. His rights were then dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers. Outlaw didn’t suit up for either of those teams, so it’s possible his playing career is over.
“I was blessed several times over,” Outlaw said. “A lot of people never have the opportunity to play in the association. The sport of basketball was so good to me for so long. I will always try to give back in any way possible.”
Basketball players must be four years removed from high school or play one year in college to be eligible to play in the NBA. Many believe incoming freshman Malik Newman could become the first “one-and-done” player in the history of Mississippi State.
When Outlaw graduated from Starkville High School in 2003, players could immediately enter the NBA. Thus, the Starkville native and the nation’s 13th-ranked player by two scouting services had choose between honoring his commitment to play at MSU or trying to make it in the NBA at 18 years old.
“That was a special time in my life,” Outlaw said. “It was an emotional decision, one that changes the rest of your life. My parents were real supportive. They helped me look at the situation real carefully. The rules were different back then. It was an opportunity I needed to take advantage of.”
Portland used the 23rd pick of the first round to select Outlaw in the 2003 draft. He appeared in 377 games with the Trail Blazers in seven seasons. However, Outlaw’s most prolific NBA season came in 2010-11, when he drew 55 starts with the New Jersey Nets.
Love and support were keys for Outlaw, the son of John Outlaw Sr. and Markeeta Outlaw, as he grew up traveling from city to city to achieve his professional dream. Having spent his professional career in law enforcement, John Outlaw continues to lend a hand for a lot of charity youth functions for the Starkville Police Department and always plays a major role in the skills camp, which has grown every year.
The Outlaw family also plays a role in the annual Starkville High-hosted Travis Outlaw Slam Dunk at the Hump holiday hoops tournament, which is played right after Christmas in the Humphrey Coliseum at MSU.
“My playing days at Starkville were great,” Outlaw said. “It was exciting to see them be able to win the (Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A) state championship this year. Coach (Greg) Carter has really built them into a power.
“This area really takes pride in its basketball. You never know where the next Travis Outlaw will come from, so the camp is a chance to get back and hopefully encourage the young people in our community to keep working hard. The hard work can pay off. It can lead you to fulfilling your dreams, too.”
Outlaw remains close to the game and didn’t say “never” to the possibility of returning for one final stint. Either way, his career was fulfilling and any day in the gym is a good one.
“The game is special,” Outlaw said. “It provided me a lot of good times. To be able to share that excitement with others is rewarding. It always has been.”
Scott Walters is a sports writer for The Dispatch. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter
@dispatchscott.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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