Kaman Visits CMU's Big Man Camp

MOUNT PLEASANT - The big men at Jay Smith's Big Man/Little Man Camp on Wednesday got a surprise from one of the biggest Chippewas of them all.

Former Chippewa seven-footer Chris Kaman, who just completed his rookie season with the Los Angeles Clippers, was a surprise speaker at the camp. Kaman went through drills with the campers, gave a short talk about the importance of hard work and took questions from the 300 youth in attendance.

"I was in the same boat you guys were in going to camps," Kaman said. "I wish when I was little I knew the value of hard work because I've been working hard ever since my first year of college. (Hard work) has allowed me to go places I never even dreamed of."

Kaman's talk to the campers focused on the importance of hard work.

Kaman was the sixth overall selection in the 2003 NBA Draft. He was the only Clipper player to play in all 82 games and he averaged 6.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game. Kaman was selected to play alongside LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony on the rookie team for the got milk? Rookie Challenge Game during All-Star Weekend.

"Chris is a better person than he is a basketball player," Smith told the campers. "He cares about people and that is why he wants to talk to you."