Former NBA player and Whiteville native Jerrod Mustaf announces his second annual “FREE” Basketball and Life Skills Camp for Columbus County youth ages 8-16. The camp will again be held at Thomas Academy on the beautiful campus of the Boys and Girls Home of North Carolina in Lake Waccamaw from July 10 to July 14, 2023.

Camp Director, Jerrod Mustaf, held his first camp as an NBA player in nearby Whiteville back in 1992 and has directed annual camps and clinics for over 30 years. As one of the first summer camps to feature the primary sport of basketball combined with a full balance of life and survival skills, Mr. Mustaf appreciates the strong partnership with Thomas Academy for the youth of Columbus County.

A talented team of highly credentialed professionals will again facilitate the life skills sessions with special guests daily to emphasize health & wellness, decision-making, financial literacy, and critical thinking skills in a global world with unlimited opportunities.

The free camp, open to the community, will run July 10 – 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Lunch will be provided. Space is limited and registration is required.

A first round draft pick for the New York Knicks in 1990, Mustaf played with the Knicks and Phoenix Suns before playing professionally in Europe. He is the director of basketball for US Elite Basketball LLC, based in Mitchellville, Maryland. He is also the Executive Director of the Take Charge Program, a North Carolina non-profit organization specializing in pre-teen and teen behavior health, youth development and family strengthening programming.

To get more information, or to register, contact Jonathan Crawley at jon.crawley@thomasacademync.org or 910-646-2237.

Youth can also register with the Event Registration Form below.

About Take Charge

Take Charge is a collaborative community-based 501c3 non-profit organization specializing in pre-teen and teen behavior health, youth development and family strengthening programming. Created as an alternative to youth detention and student expulsion, Take Charge has compiled an exemplary record of providing services to challenged youth through a variety of programs and support services. Their mission is to develop youth’s resistance to engage in negative behaviors and to progress academically and socially by developing pride in self, family, and culture. It is funded through private donations and both government and corporate grant funding.

About Thomas Academy

Thomas Academy is a North Carolina Public Charter School that educates middle and high school students. Located on the campus of Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina in Lake Waccamaw, the

academy provides a tailored academic experience to students who are oftentimes in need of a more specialized, integrated curriculum. Thomas Academy was founded on personalization in education, unique offerings and educating through purposeful design. Enrollment is open to any student in grades six through 12.

US Elite Basketball

US Elite Basketball is a comprehensive basketball platform that provides recruitment opportunities to student athletes from middle school through college. Operating as a resource center for basketball players, US Elite Basketball is establishing itself as a leader in grassroots basketball development.