PH Michigan Freshman Showcase: The LaMar Hankamp Scholarship
The Prep Hoops Freshman Showcase is returning to the state of Michigan on August 27. It will be the largest and most talented freshman showcase event in the midwest and quite possibly the entire country. First of all, I’d like…
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Continue ReadingThe Prep Hoops Freshman Showcase is returning to the state of Michigan on August 27. It will be the largest and most talented freshman showcase event in the midwest and quite possibly the entire country.
First of all, I’d like to that Prep Network and Prep Hoops for funding and backing this scholarship in my Dad’s name. It’s yet another shining example of what a great company it truly is. Prep Hoops consistently shows that it cares about the kids. They always come first. They also continue to look out for and take care of the people that work for them. Prep Hoops stepped up to the plate like they always do and allowed me to create the LaMar Hankamp Scholarship in an honor of my father. Prep Hoops has allowed me to select a player and invite them to the Prep Hoops Michigan Freshman Showcase with no financial obligations.
First, let me give you some background. My Dad always worked hard and provided for his family. He always attended and supported me and my brothers athletics, proud of us whether we won or lost. He always gave us the opportunity to do the things we love and made sure that we put in the work to reach the level that we dreamed of. My brother and I both ended up as college athletes, in large part because of him. In 1997, 3 friends and I were involved in a life altering car accident. We were hit head on at 55 miles per hour by a drunk driver. I was med flighted to the nearest hospital and was in a coma. When I first woke up and understood what was going on, I was told that I may never walk again. My Dad had taught me different, that there was no limit to what I could accomplish except for the limits that I put on myself. Throughout my recovery, my father was in my corner and refused to believe that I couldn’t do the things that I loved. He continued to provide me with opportunities to recover and live a normal life, even when “experts” said that it wouldn’t happen.
Fast forward to today and I live a terrific life. I have a wonderful family and a job that I could have only dreamed of. This life would have never happened without my Dad teaching me how to come out on top and providing me with opportunities to do so. The LaMar Hankamp Scholarship is my way of hoping to extend my father’s legacy. To provide a young man with an opportunity to reach for the stars and for them to see that there are more people in their corner.
My Dad passed away in the fall of 2021 , but I was able to tell him and talk to him about the LaMar Hankamp Scholarship before he passed away. He was proud to know that the man and father that he was would continue to have a positive influence for years to come. He would be extremely proud to know that Xavier VanWagner was the LaMar Hankamp Scholarship player this year at the Prep Hoops Michigan Freshman Showcase. VanWagner is a center in the class of 2027 and attends Carrollton High School. He can stretch the floor with his shooting, shares the ball and plays solid post defense. VanWagner simply loves the game of basketball and wants to be great, but he also wants to be an excellent student. He credits his parents and his coaches for helping him become an excellent player and prospect. VanWagner is the perfect young man for this scholarship as he deserves the opportunity to experience the showcase and get everything out of it.