Whether it was signing autographs, posing for pictures, demonstrating proper footwork or accepting a one-on-one challenge from a giggling, in-awe 10-year-old, Harker Heights High School graduate, Baylor alum and current forward for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns Royce O’Neale generously made sure plenty of lasting memories were made.
O’Neale, with the help of a number of friends, family members and former players –– many of whom graduated from Killeen ISD schools –– hosted a free basketball camp for 150 kids inside his alma mater’s gym.
“Royce is the perfect person for this,” said Jejuan Plair, a 2003 HHHS grad who played for Sam Houston State and on Saturday served as the camp’s lead coach. “He loves coming back home and because he is such a humble person, everyone loves helping out.”
O’Neale, who wore “00” while with the Knights, graduated from Heights in 2011. He played two seasons for the University of Denver before transferring to Baylor. His professional career began in Germany in 2015 when he played for MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg, and he also spent the 2016-17 season in Europe with Spanish club Herbalife Gran Canaria.
O’Neal’s dedication to his craft, persistence and hard work paid off in 2017 when he signed with his first NBA team, the Utah Jazz. He spent five seasons in Salt Lake City before a trade to the Brooklyn Nets. He’s been with the Suns since the 2023 season.
Through his seven seasons in the NBA, O’Neale averaged 9.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.
On Saturday, though, he was just part of the basketball-loving group, often mixing it up with the campers, greeting a number of community members and dancing here and there.
“Royce doesn’t have to come back to do this, but he’s just so nice and he enjoys coming back and taking care of the kids,” Harker Heights boys basketball head coach Jason Fossett said.
“The kids all know who Royce is. The volume of kids who wanted to sign up for this speaks for itself. I think this filled up within an hour. It’s just good for the kids to see somebody from here and see that it is possible if you put in hard work.”
While the 6-hour event was filled with an abundance of fun, plenty of work was required of the campers, too. Coaches focused their lessons on basketball fundamentals, including dribbling and shooting techniques.
“I’ve been playing basketball for about four years. I like to shoot, play defense and have fun,” Jayden, a KISD third-grader said.
The grand finale at the end of the camp was a coaches vs. players matchup that, of course, featured O’Neale but also included Killeen High grad Cory Jefferson (Baylor), current KHS boys basketball head coach Walt Harris and plenty more familiar faces to those who’ve been around basketball in Killeen and Harker Heights over the years.
“It was fun –– a different type of experience you don’t get to do every day,” Chaparral High School senior Elijah Treadwell said of getting to guard O’Neale during the scrimmage.
It was the fourth time O’Neale hosted the camp, which started around 2021. After a year off, the camp was back Saturday and O’Neale told the campers he couldn’t wait to see them again next year.
“It means a lot. Being able to give back to the community and having these kids come out here and learn. It’s awesome. It’s always a surreal feeling (coming back). It’s a good time,” O’Neale said, adding that he hoped each athlete walked away Saturday with a deeper understanding of the game and improved basketball knowledge.
“This is a great time to get better, have fun and interact with guys that played college and professional,” he said.
A lot more photos of the camp can be viewed here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720328275703