NORFOLK, Va. — Dorian Finney- Smith couldn't stop smiling on his way into Norfolk State's Echols Hall on Saturday morning hosting his seventh annual youth basketball camp. For the following six years his camp was held at his alma mater, I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth. This year for the first time it was held at Norfolk State's Echols Hall to account for the increased attendance. His reaction when he arrived at the gym said it all.
"This year Norfolk State decided to help us and I'm happy they did. Like I said we've got 300 kids now so trying to put all of them in I.C. Norcom would have been tough," said Finney- Smith. "I know when I was 7 years old I wasn't on a college court or even knew what a college court looked like so hopefully this can motivate a child to want to go to college. I'm just trying to do my part."
The event is put on by his namesake foundation which strives to motivate the youth while inspiring families and all citizens to become productive members of society by providing service to the community. On having the platform to initiate change, Finney- Smith says its something he doesn't take for granted.
"I feel like once you get to a certain level its about who can you affect and what kind of mark can you leave behind and I'm just trying to leave my mark."
Finney- Smith was traded for the first time in his NBA career last season from Dallas to Brooklyn as a part of the Kyrie Irving deal. Heading up to the big apple meant Finney- Smith was reunited with a childhood friend in Oscar Smith alum Cam Thomas. Now the two longtime 757 friends are sporting the same NBA journey, a full circle moment for the two who trained together when they were younger.
"Just being from this area, you know how hard it is to make it out of here and to have somebody who I can relate to growing up and even knowing some of his family members because you know this area isn't that big," he said of their friendship.
And of course with a long history together, comes some friendly competition.
"I don't dunk on him but I talk a lot of trash! But he don't ever want to talk," Finney- Smith joked.