Former NBA player relishes imparting knowledge to Vincentians

Rusty La Rue, who was part of the Chicago Bulls team that won the 1998 NBA title, says he enjoys imparting his years of knowledge to the Vincentian youths.

La Rue was part of the Hope and Hope Ministries that conducted a one week Basketball camp, from July 13 to July 17, 2026 at the Bishop’s College Kingstown hard court.

“We are here trying to give back to the youths in the community. I think that sports is very important for kids to learn a lot of life skills, discipline, toughness, resilience, how to win as well as how to lose. I grew up playing all kinds of sports and I am a big believer in giving back to the next generation,” La Rue told SEARCHLIGHT.

“Being here, I hope that my input will be impactful not just from a Basketball standpoint. The Lord calls us to go in our communities and help,” La Rue added.

La Rue was part of a team headed by Vincentian Kishon Bishop, that ran the camp which sought to assist youngsters in finding themselves.

, “We do Basketball training, fitness. We talk about mind, body and spirit. From a mind perspective, health and wellness things such as responsibilities, discipline. In terms of the spirit, we talk about the Holy Bible, what Christ means in our lives,” the Basketball guru stated.

Reflecting on his professional Basketball career, La Rue said: “Basketball taught me a lot about myself, but it has also taken me all over the world. I got a free university education through sports and things have made me successful outside of sports. I was lucky to play professionally for eight years”.

La Rue said 2026 marked his fourth visit to St Vincent and the Grenadine and the past ten years.

Apart from the Basketball camp, La Rue revealed that he enjoys the food, sunshine, and the hospitality that are on offer in abundance here in St Vincent and the Grenadines.