Former NBA star Bobby Hansen stops by Newton Y

Kids participating in the 2010 Summer Basketball Camp sponsored by Newton YMCA and Skiff Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation had a special visitor during camp events on Wednesday.

Former Iowa Hawkeye and former NBA player Bobby Hansen stopped by the Newton Y to share some fundamentals of both basketball and life with a group of kids. Hansen played for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes — including the 1980 Final Four team — and was drafted into the NBA by the Utah Jazz in 1983. Hansen was eventually traded and ended up playing his final season with the Chicago Bulls, helping Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Coach Phil Jackson win the championship in 1992.

During his time at the basketball camp, Hansen shared the need to be active, work on fundamentals of the game, keep good grades, be good citizens and stay away from drugs, alcohol and other danger to be succesful not only on the court but off.

Kids also were treated to an hour of drills, question and answer session and got autographs and photos with the basketball star, who now works at the Iowa Speedway in the business development department.

The Newton YMCA would like to thank Mr. Hansen for spending the morning with the Y camp and helping spread the mission of the Newton YMCA to build strong kids, strong families and strong community!