The large group of more than 100 kids dribbling at Athens High School’s youth summer basketball camp Thursday, May 30.

Richard Hendrix — one of Athens High School’s most popular alumni — returned to his old stomping grounds and helped coach the Golden Eagles kids summer basketball camp from May 29-30 at AHS Arena.

Hendrix dominated the hardwood in Athens for many years in the early 2000s before playing professional basketball, in both the NBA and internationally, until his retirement in 2021.

Despite all the places he has lived, Hendrix still calls Athens home, so he leaped at the opportunity to return to coach at his alma mater’s annual youth basketball camp.

“This is my hometown — Athens made me,” Hendrix told The News Courier after the camp concluded on Thursday, “Anytime I can come and volunteer some time to the kids in the community that raised me, I’m going to be in a hurry to get here and do it.”

Hendrix’s love and passion for the Athens community shined in the way he coached the over a large group of young athletes, from ages 5-14, who attended the two-day summer camp.

“We really tried to push the kids, they had to learn a lot of skills, but they did an outstanding job of being attentive and respectful,” Hendrix said. “We want to make sure that we not only have good basketball players and athletes in our community, but really good people as well, and I wanna do my part in contributing to that.”

Those sentiments put forth by Hendrix were also shared by Athens girls’ basketball coach Capriee Tucker and first-year boys’ basketball coach Kori Walker.

“To have over 100 kids at this year’s camp really shows the community support for our athletic programs here at Athens High School,” Walker said. “So, we wanted to make sure we did our best to build those relationships with them, and support them, as they support us.”

Walker also talked to The News Courier about what it meant to have a basketball mind like Hendrix around as a resource to teach the kids valuable lessons they can utilize on and off the court.

“A lot of these kids don’t have a clue who he is, but all of us adults know just how cool it is to have him here to coach,” Walker said. “We are very thankful to have Richard (Hendrix) pour back into the community, and it speaks volumes to his character to do this in spite of his busy schedule.”

To help Hendrix achieve his coaching efforts, the two head basketball coaches allowed their players to volunteer and help carry and coach the large group of aspiring future Golden Eagles.

“I helped out at the camp last year, and it is just crazy to see all the growth in these kids’ games up close,” Lakin Barnes, a rising junior boys varsity basketball player, said. “It is nice to be able to talk to the kids and get to know them, because I remember being their age and it really puts into perspective how much I’ve grown, too.”

Barnes also added what it was like to be able to be around and learn from Hendrix, who has reached the highest levels the sport can offer.

“I came here the first year he started coaching here, so it has been a pleasure to get to know him on a personal level and pick his brain,” Barnes said. “The biggest thing I’ve learned from him is to be humble and have respect, no matter who or what you are going against.”