NBA Stars, Legends Lead Hoops Camp : Recreation: Three-day workshop for inner-city youths will mix basketball with education.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles Clipper Loy Vaught and Bank of America kicked off the 1995 B-of-A Jammin’ Hoops Camp at Inglewood High Tuesday.

The camp is a free three-day program directed by National Basketball Assn. stars and prominent local basketball coaches.

Kids between the ages of 7 and 17 are taught a blend of education and basketball.

“I think this is what was needed [for inner-city youths],” said Abdul-Jabbar, the former Laker great, Hall of Fame member and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. “It’s a great program.”

This year, the camp will expand to four states (California, Texas, Arizona and Oregon) and 22 cities.

The sites for this year’s hoops camp include Inglewood (July 20 to 22), Marina High School in Huntington Beach (July 24 to 26), Pasadena High School (July 27 to 29) and Compton College (July 31 to Aug. 2).

In addition to Abdul-Jabbar and Vaught, the camp also will offer instruction by ex-NBA star Marques Johnson, Xavier McDaniel (Boston Celtics), Jay Humphries (Utah Jazz), Ervin Johnson (Seattle SuperSonics), Bill Walton (Hall of Fame) and Avery Johnson (San Antonio Spurs).

The program started in Seattle in 1990 and remains successful.

“Within the five years of our program, we have helped 75,000 kids,” Bank of America Vice Chairman Luke Kilm said. “We try to get the most visible athletes involved, those who are anti-drugs and anti-alcohol, such as a Loy Vaught.”

“When you get superstar athletes, people listen,” Vaught said. “We have an opportunity to get [youngsters] focused on education.”

Added Abdul-Jabbar: “It’s really great that Bank of America has taken an interest. I’m extremely excited to be here.” Enrollment applications are available at participating Bank of America branches.