Gary Harris, the 2012 Indiana Mr. Basketball and veteran NBA guard, returned to the court this summer not to play, but to teach. The second edition of his Health, Hoops & Happiness camp gathered some of the state’s most highly touted seniors, including Amarian Leggett, Chandon Gilbert, Varschon Clark, Jaece Vogt, Don Bowling III, D.J. Nash, Jasir Rogers, Eron McDuffey and Tim Smith.
A Camp Built on Habit and Heart
Harris, now in his 13th NBA season with the Detroit Pistons, used the platform to stress the importance of daily habits, mental health and personal growth, drawing on his own path from high school stardom to a six‑team trade that landed him in Detroit.
Joined by former HSE teammate Zak Irvin, a 2013 Mr. Basketball, and supported by his mother Joy Harris and brother Cameron, the camp also served as a reunion for a generation of Indiana talent that includes Trey Lyles and Kyle Guy, who have followed similar free‑camp traditions.
Harris, who spent 11 seasons with the Denver Nuggets and Orlando Magic before a stint with the Milwaukee Bucks, spoke of his excitement to contribute to a Pistons team that finished with a 60‑win season and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference last year.
He emphasized that his move from Milwaukee to Detroit has reinvigorated him, focusing on teamwork and championship aspirations, while also giving back to the community that shaped him.