Corey Brewer gives back to Portland through camp, offers thoughts on Lakers' Lonzo Ball

PORTLAND — Corey Brewer's job is on the other side of the country these days. But in many ways, he's never left Portland.

Brewer, who is a couple of months away from entering his 10th NBA season, led the Corey Brewer Portland Basketball Camp for ages 8-15 on Saturday. The all-day camp has become a staple of summer basketball in Sumner County.

Between sessions, the Portland High basketball court was named Corey Brewer Court. Although he spends his day job studying the NBA, he also has a passion for finding out the Panthers are doing in District 9-AAA.

"I just want kids to play basketball," Brewer said. "Our (high school) program hasn't been very good lately to be honest and so when I come home, I want the kids to play basketball. When they come here, I want to talk to them, I want to meet them, and I want them to play."

The camp staff included fellow Portland High Hall-of-Famer Jason Rogan and the school's current boys' and girls' high school coaches.

All the campers and the parents walked into the gym under four of Brewer's jerseys: one when he was named Class AA Mr. Basketball in 2004; one from his days when he helped the University of Florida win consecutive NCAA titles; one from the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team that drafted him in 2008; and one from the Dallas Mavericks, who he helped win an NBA title in 2011.

But his Portland presence goes far beyond those jerseys or the team photos and plaques in the adjacent hallway.

"He gave us tickets to watch him go play ball in Memphis," said Lisa Randolph, a mother and grandmother who brought seven campers. "They have a thing called Next Level and they'll practice with the kids, and he'd come and practice with them on his off days.

"He's the same every time you see him. He's a very nice person."

Bo Perry was a teammate of Brewer's before graduating one year ahead of him. 

"It's great to see him come back and try to instill a love in others, something he's really got a passion for," Perry said. "He was a great teammate and he's a great man."

Brewer was traded during this past season from Houston to the Los Angeles Lakers. He will be one of the veterans on a team filled with young talent, a role that seems to suit him.

The Lakers won the NBA Summer League and Lonzo Ball, the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, was named MVP. 

"It was good to see -- the young guys, they've got to take to winning," Brewer said. "(Ball), man, he can pass. He's definitely going to help me."

Durability has been one of Brewer's trademarks. He played in 82 games for third time in the last five seasons, only missing three games in five years.

"I love basketball," Brewer said. "If I'm healthy enough to play, I'm going to be out there, no matter what."