By Dorothy J. Gentry Sports Editor
Two years after his murder and one day after he would have turned 39-years-old, the family of Andre Emmett held its first youth basketball camp, carrying out the former basketball star’s wish; to create opportunities for youth.
Oliver Family Charities was founded by Regina Oliver, Emmett’s mother and his aunt, Karen Oliver-Thomas, in memory of Emmett, a former Carter High School and Texas Tech basketball star who was shot and killed in front of his Dallas home in September of 2019.
The organization’s basketball camp was held last week at the Moorland Family YMCA in Oak Cliff. More than 30 kids from ages 8 to 13 were in attendance. They learned basketball skills and drills, were treated to lunch and learned about the life and legacy of Emmett.
Emmett, who grew up in Oak Cliff and attended Carter, is the all-time leading scorer in Texas Tech men’s basketball history. He played professionally in the NBA and overseas and was a rising star in Ice Cube’s Big 3 league before he was killed.
He was always an advocate of children and spent his time uplifting, motivating and encouraging them. He started a foundation prior to his death, Dreams Really Exist (DRE) to help children in need.
“He started talking about this two or three years before he retired from basketball playing, so it was always a conversation with us,” said Oliver. “Although I’m still sad because he’s gone, this gives my joy because we’re continuing his legacy as far as catering to the children of the community.”
Oliver Family Charities plan to hold the camp again next year. They also held a camp in Lubbock this past summer.
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