NBA veteran and CMR alum Josh Huestis returned to Great Falls to host his seventh annual youth basketball camp, inspiring the next generation with high-level training and a message of personal growth.
GREAT FALLS, Mont. — It’s not every day kids in Great Falls get tips from someone who’s played in the NBA. But this week, they’re getting just that from CMR grad and former Oklahoma City Thunder forward Josh Huestis, who returned home to host his seventh annual youth basketball camp.
Back in the same gym where he once trained as a Rustler, Huestis now leads the drills—returning to the CMR Fieldhouse to give back to the next generation of local hoopers.
“When you remind me, it’s been seven years, it’s pretty crazy,” Huestis said. “I’ve seen a lot of these kids grow up—from coming here as fourth graders to now being in high school. Being from here, being able to get back into the community, I look forward to it every year. It’s a chance to reconnect with the community that raised me.”
Over the course of three days, Huestis and his staff worked with dozens of young athletes, focusing on fundamentals, confidence, and mindset—and the campers were all in.
“It’s a lot of fun,” said camper Kelton Vielleux. “There’s always a big show-out, which is nice. And Josh is just a fun, energetic guy. He knows a lot, teaches a lot—and playing in the NBA, which I find very cool.”
“I think it’s really special,” added camper Madi Groux. “I’m learning all this new stuff that I’ve never even learned before, and I think it’s really helpful.”
Timber Hull, another camper, said, “It’s good to come to a camp like this one a lot. Yeah, it’s a bunch of good drills for us.”
But for Huestis, it’s about more than basketball—it’s about helping kids grow.
“I don’t want them thinking about, oh, I lost so many times, or comparing themselves to other people,” Huestis said. “Basketball is supposed to be about personal development. So I’m really trying to emphasize growth rather than comparisons.”
From NBA arenas to the CMR Fieldhouse, Josh Huestis is still making an impact—this time, by helping shape the future of basketball in Great Falls.
The camp concludes June 12th before heading to Bozeman July 7th-10th.