From NBA to Oak Park, former KU Jayhawks star Ochai Agbaji brings hoops camp home
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- Ochai Agbaji hosted the second annual Young Agbaji Foundation camp at Oak Park High.
- More than 40 athletes ages 8 to 18 practiced fundamentals at rotating training stations.
- Agbaji coached alongside local trainers, former teammates and his family members.
More than 40 young athletes spent Saturday morning learning basketball fundamentals from Kansas City native and NBA guard Ochai Agbaji.
The former Kansas Jayhawks star hosted his second annual Young Agbaji Foundation Basketball Skills Camp at his alma mater, Oak Park High School.
The 26-year-old launched the foundation last year. Teaching alongside him Saturday were other local coaches, professional trainers and several former high school teammates.
His family also helped facilitate the event. Throughout its duration, Agbaji rotated between training stations as campers ages 8-18 ran through drills focused on skills, teamwork and leadership.
While basketball was the reason for the gathering, Agbaji said life’s biggest lessons aren’t always learned on the court.
“I want them to have fun,” he said. “When this game is over today, if every camper is smiling … then we did a great job.”
Last year’s inaugural camp took place at the MoKan hoops facility in Overland Park. This was the first time Agbaji held a camp at his old high school campus.
He wanted campers to see his roots — where he honed his skills before winning an NCAA championship at KU and being selected in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft.
“It’s special being back here,” he said. “I’ve never done a camp here.”
Returning to Oak Park brought back memories. He said his favorite ones occurred in that gym — countless games, wins and losses. He was The Star’s All-Metro player of the year in 2018, his senior year.
Eight years later, Agbaji is a free agent looking for a new team. Originally drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers, he has since played for the Utah Jazz, Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets.
Meanwhile, he’s also seeking to grow the Young Agbaji Foundation. The camp held Saturday is one of its signature initiatives.
The foundation’s website proclaims its mission: “(G)ive youth the chance to grow through sports, mentorship and education.”
When it comes to the charitable organization bearing his name, Agbaji said his goal is simple.
“I just want to keep building every single year. I want to keep getting better …” he said. “Giving back through the sport, giving back to the youth through sport and doing these camps is the best way.”
And when asked what advice he’d share with young student-athletes chasing their dreams, especially those attending the camp, Agbaji acknowledged that there are ups and downs when you’re pursuing your goals.
The key is maintaining a positive attitude throughout the process. Showing up each day with a positive attitude, consistency and a willingness to work hard, he said, matters just as much as talent.
Saturday’s camp concluded with families getting autographs from and taking pictures with Agbaji. His Young Agbaji foundation will host another skills camp at the MoKan facility on Aug. 1.
This story was originally published July 18, 2026 at 5:15 PM.
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