It has been a long time coming for Tyronn Lue’s Basketball Clinic.

The Los Angeles Clippers head coach was in his hometown of Mexico for Fourth of July week, including for the basketball clinic set up by his Commitment to Community (C2C) fund on June 30 and July 1 at Mexico Middle School. Kids ranging from fourth grade to 12th grade had the chance to learn drills and work on their court skills from Dwayne Bryant, a 1986 McDonald’s All-American who played at the University of Georgetown with Dikembe Mutombo and Alonzo Mourning, and Mexico school district coaches. 

Lue said he had camps in Mexico a long time ago, but those went away until coming back this year. He liked what he saw when he visited both days.

Tyronn Lue Basketball Clinic Photo Gallery

“I should have been doing it years ago, but sometimes, you get so busy that you aren’t able to do it,” Lue said. “It’s been phenomenal. It’s just trying to get the kids out and get them involved in sports and see what they like to do and don’t like to do. It was good to see kids in the gym working on their game.”

Lue thanked C2C program lead LaVonda Wilson and C2C Mexico Middle School coordinator Regina Johnson for putting the event together along with other events from the organization. 

Wilson said there were 105 submissions for the clinic and called it a success that allowed the kids to have fun. She said Mexico activities director Brandon Schafer thought it was a good idea when C2C asked for his partnership at the end of last year to add it to the long-running Ty Lue Fourth of July festivities.

“One of the things we were trying to figure out is what can get these kiddos active in the community,” Wilson said. “It worked perfectly because we’re doing this before and it will lead into the Fourth of July activities.”

Lue said keeping kids active and allowing them to build camaraderie in the community are big benefits. The NBA champion coach and player has built a standout basketball career and wants kids to learn that hard work is necessary if they want a similar career path. 

“The biggest thing is understanding how to work,” Lue said. “You get a chance to have structure, and I think Dwayne and these coaches over the last couple days have really shown these kids that, if you apply certain drills and then translate it to 5-on-5, it helps you get better. These are not things you should just do for two days and go home and forget about it. If you want to get better, take it home, be responsible and work on these things every single day.”

Wilson said C2C was excited to have all sorts of future events and programs in the works over the Fourth of July weekend and beyond. She said she and the other C2C members, like Johnson finding community partnerships, work together to provide programs such as a financial literacy class last month and entertainment events to “help Mexico flourish.”

Lue made sure to visit the younger kids on the second day after not being able to see them the first day. Wilson said this speaks to Lue’s fondness for the community, and the kids were excited to see him.

“Tyronn has a real impact on these kids around here in Mexico,” Wilson said. “Even coming from a small area, you can do great things. He loves to give back to the community. Our mission here at C2C is basically to improve the education of the kids and improve employment mobility of families here in Mexico.”

Mexico means much to Lue now because it meant so much to him growing up. For example, he said his Fourth of July festivities started because his late grandfather’s birthday was July 4, and after his death, he wanted to maintain the tradition of his family gathering for the holiday while sharing that sentiment with the community.

“I always give back in different ways, whether it’s friends, family or people you hear about going through some tough times,” Lue said. “With the C2C program, giving kids opportunities to get better grades, to explore different things, to pick up different traits and to see different things is huge. Showing the kids that somebody cares for them outside of their families and wants to see them do well is huge for them.”