Solé Williams remembers attending summer youth basketball camps growing up in Ohio. She laughed and said on Tuesday that she recalled being “not so good” and appreciating that camp instructors were patient with her.

Williams had the opportunity to return the favor and play the role of a coach as she and members from the FSU basketball teams delivered instruction and smiles to about 50 campers from the Boys & Girls Club. Seminoles from the men’s and women’s teams led the boys and girls through dribbling and free-throw shooting before some of the older campers played half-court games.

“It feels amazing just knowing that I was in their position, in their shoes, looking up to the next person that was coaching me,” Williams said. “Just show them something that can be an escape to whatever they’re going through. You never know what little kids are going through. Just having basketball as an escape, it’s a good feeling to introduce to little players.”

FSU men’s coach Luke Loucks held a competitive camp earlier in June for individuals. Women’s coach Brooke Wyckoff will also hold a camp in early July and another for elite campers on Aug. 22. But the purpose of Tuesday’s camp was to be free for kids of various age groups, with Seminoles players acting as coaches and, with so many new transfers on both teams, introducing themselves to the Tallahassee community.

“Our involvement in the community is one of the biggest things and parts of what we do. We can’t do this without our community honestly,” Wyckoff said. “We need the support of our community. We need to be able to give back because we are given so much. And just getting people excited about not only Florida State basketball but getting kids excited about potential for their future.

“You never know who you are going to inspire in these moments and who is going to catch the bug of loving basketball and one day grow up to be in the position of our players now.”

That “you never know” comment resonates with Michael Fly, who was FSU’s video coordinator for three seasons back when Luke Loucks played for the Seminoles. Fly is in his second season as FSU’s general manager / assistant coach and recalled meeting a young camper who less than a decade later would be playing for the Seminoles.

“When you look at camps and when you look at being able to share not just the basketball knowledge but the human to human connection, we should always take advantage of those opportunities,” Fly said. “I was actually thinking you never know from a basketball standpoint who is coming into your gym. I can remember doing camps, this is years and years ago, there was a young, thin, looked like a good athlete. Probably 10 years old at the time. It ended up being Jonathan Isaac.

“You never know who’s in your gym. But it’s the right thing to do, to do anything in your power, when you have the time, be able to give back.”

Thanks for reading the Osceola. Look for more from interviews with Williams, Wyckoff and Fly later this week on theOsceola.com