Community Connect
In the heart of every small town lies the beating pulse of its community, woven tightly by shared experiences, memories, and aspirations. For many, the hometown represents not just a place on the map, but a cornerstone of identity and belonging. And when a local rises to fame through their athletic skill, they often carry with them a deep-rooted desire to give back and uplift the very community that shaped them. Such is the story of Jamesio Rhine, a hometown hero on a mission to bring positive change back to the place that molded them.
Jamesio Rhine is a 2016 graduate of Bibb County High School. He is a native of Centreville and has lived here since he was a child. He has several hobbies include hanging out with his family, friends, and girlfriend, playing on his PS5, attending church, and working out. He has his associate degree in science and bachelor’s in physical education.
Jamesio is in the process of putting together a basketball training camp to be held at the BMC Wellness Center and at Oliver Park in Calera, AL in June and July 2024 “Stay Real Slim Basketball Training”.
I asked Jamesio some random questions about his journey with basketball and how he is preparing to start up his camp and here is what he had to say:
Can you tell us about your journey in basketball and what inspired you to start a training camp in our community?
“My journey in basketball has been wonderful and allowed me to follow my big aspirations of one day playing in the NBA when I first picked up a basketball. I have played basketball since the fourth grade and played for Bibb County from seventh to twelfth grade and was able to receive an athletic scholarship from Southern Union State Community College upon graduation. I played with the Bisons from 2016-2018 before transferring to Hiwassee College. I played at Hiwassee for the 2018-2019 season before discovering the school would be closing. In my senior year, I played at Tennessee Wesleyan and had a great season before graduating in 2021. Five days after graduation, I signed my first contract to play professional basketball. I have been able to travel overseas to play in Kosovo, Albania, and my third and current year in Portugal. The inspiration for starting a training camp in my community is from the enjoyment I have acquired from helping kids with basketball or encouraging them to follow their dreams. It motivated me to want to combine the two in developing the training camp and preparation for my coaching career whenever I decide to retire from playing basketball.”
What specific skills and techniques do you plan to focus on during the training camp?
“The specific skills and techniques I want to focus on during the camp are passing, lay-ups, shooting, dribbling, and defense just to name a few. Outside of basketball skills, I also want to implement character-building skills such as self-esteem, goal setting, and the importance of teamwork.”
Will there be opportunities for both beginner and advanced players to participate in the camp?
“Yes, the camp is open to novice players who are interested in learning about the game of basketball to players who have been playing for years and want to continue to expand their playing level.”
How do you plan to ensure that each participant receives individualized attention and coaching?
“I plan to work closely with the beginner players to introduce them to the fundamentals, while also assisting the advanced players on any aspect they need to work on. I will ensure each child receives individualized attention and coaching by monitoring each participant and having one-on-one time with them about their experience to ensure their time at the camp is educational and motivational.”
What are your long-term goals for the training camp and its participants?
“The long-term goals for the training camp and its participants are not only to enhance their skills in basketball and continue to expand their knowledge about the game but to also gain the skills of having a good character on and off the court.”
Can you share any success stories or testimonials from previous participants in any other of your training programs?
“Amani Stoudemire, a high school participant in 2021, stated the camp was informative, while also enjoyable. One of his main takeaways was on how to become a better person. Jaden, an elementary school-aged participant, reports he had fun at the camp, and it was a great experience for him.”
Interested individuals can register for the training camp with the completion of a JotForm application, which can be found at https://form.jotform.com/240077197810154. They can contact me at (205) 928-1244 through text, call Maya Zeigler at (205) 807-9186, or shoot an email at stayrealslim@yahoo.com for any additional questions or assistance.
The camp will be hosted at two locations: BMC Wellness located in Bibb County and Oliver Park at Calera. The schedule for BMC Wellness is Mondays and Tuesdays, beginning on June 17-July 22, from 2:00-4:00 pm. The schedule for the Calera location is Wednesdays and Thursdays, beginning on June 26th-July 23rd, from 2:00-4:00 pm as well.
Jamesio added, “I am thrilled to be able to continue to give back to the community with my love for the game of basketball and thank you again for supporting Stay Real Slim.”
