Livingston High School’s basketball gym will play host to the eighth annual Marcus Campbell Basketball Camp for the remainder of the week. The annual rite of summer for young west Alabama basketball players tips off today with registration at 8 a.m.

“There’s going to be a lot of fun and excitement,” Campbell, a former standout for the University of Alabama and professional player in Europe, said.

The camp is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. today and Thursday and from 9 a.m. until noon Friday.

“Back when I was playing in Europe, I wanted to do something in my community and give boys and girls the chance to work on their basketball skills,” Campbell said of his original vision for the event. “God placed it on my heart to start this basketball camp.”

While the camp does operate as a basketball proceeding, Campbell’s event focuses primarily on teaching young people discipline and life skills through the game.

“We incorporate life skills,” Campbell said. “Those days at camp, they will not only get the chance to play basketball, but also will get to hear the importance of listening to your parents and doing the things that will help them in life.”

The camp is free and is open to boys and girls in grades 5-12.