Olympia Sports Camp has helped shape countless youth over the years, and one of its most successful alumni is back this summer to inspire the next generation of athletes.
Twenty-two-year-old TJ Hurley has returned to the Huntsville-based camp as a guest speaker and high-performance instructor during week two of the camp’s NBA Basketball School before heading overseas to begin his professional career.
Olympia Sports Camp offers multi-sport programming, leadership training, and certification for youth ages 7 to 17. It is the only camp in Canada approved by the NBA to deliver the NBA Basketball School curriculum, with support from NBA coaches and former NBA players.
“We couldn’t be prouder to see one of our own achieve so much, and we know his journey will inspire our campers,” Olympia Sports Camp said in a social media statement.
Hurley, who grew up in Fonthill, attended Olympia every summer for 10 years from the age of six. Although he participated in several sports growing up, including soccer, baseball and swimming, he said basketball quickly became his passion.
“I fell in love with basketball early on,” Hurley said. “And I kind of found that love coming up to Camp Olympia every summer.”
Hurley said the camp not only helped him develop his skills but also fostered a sense of community and inclusivity that strengthened his love for the sport.
“It was always my favourite week of the summer,” he said. “I’d have a blast not only with the basketball but also at the lake and with all my friends here.”
Hurley also credits much of his passion for basketball to his parents. His father, Mike Hurley, coached basketball at Niagara College and has been an Olympia coach for more than 20 years.
“Both my parents played and coached me growing up… I really looked up to both of them,” Hurley said. “I was raised in the gym. I would always go watch my dad’s practices and try to copy them and dribble on the sidelines.”
As he grew older, Hurley dedicated himself fully to basketball. After attending a prep school in Florida during his senior year of high school, he earned a scholarship to the University of Vermont, where he played for four years.
“It was a bit of a transition moving away from home, and it took a little time to adjust,” he said. “But ultimately, it was a great place for me. I was able to fit in really well there and was able to find a way to be really successful.”
During his collegiate career, Hurley was named America East Player of the Year, earned First Team All-Conference honours twice, was selected to the America East All-Defensive Team, made the conference’s All-Academic Team twice, scored more than 1,000 career points, and helped lead Vermont to two NCAA Tournament appearances. He also represented Canada at the 2023 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup.
Hurley said despite many challenges brought from injuries and the pandemic early in his college career, it taught him valuable lessons about resilience, both on and off the court.
“It has taught me a lot about pushing through the ups and downs,” he said. “It taught me to stay positive and come out on the other side on top.”
On July 8, Hurley signed his first professional contract with a team in Leicester, England. Following the one-year contract, he said he can choose to renew it or pursue contracts elsewhere. He added he would love to eventually come back to his home country and play for a Canadian team, but for now, he will go where the sport takes him.
“I’m just going to see where it takes me for now,” Hurley said. “I’ve always wanted to travel as well, so hopefully I can sign contracts in a few places overseas.”
Looking back on his journey, Hurley offered some advice for youth looking to pursue a sport or any endeavour in life.
“I would say, especially for the kids that might be listening to this in the Ontario area and from smaller towns, don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do it. I’m from a small town too,” he said. “You have to always have that goal in your mind and don’t let anyone or anything steer you away from it.”
