For many kids, basketball starts with a driveway hoop. For Izaiah Vongnath, it became something much bigger.

​

Long before he was organizing one of Southwest Washington's premier youth basketball camps, Izaiah was just another kid attending camps himself. As he reflected on those early experiences, one memory immediately came to mind.

​

"I remember going to basketball camps when I was younger, and that's really what made me fall in love with basketball," he said. "Certain moments, certain shots, winning a prize. I honestly remember me and you being teammates at one of those camps growing up."

​

I laughed because I remembered it too.

​

Those camps did more than teach us how to dribble or shoot. They gave us confidence. They introduced us to new teammates, coaches, and friendships. Looking back, it is easy to see why those memories stayed with him.

​

When COVID shut many of those camps down, Izaiah noticed something was missing. He wanted to bring that experience back for the next generation, but with his own vision.

​

That idea became Summer Slam Basketball Camp.

​

Instead of simply running another basketball camp, Izaiah created an environment where high school athletes mentor middle school players. Younger campers learn from players they look up to, while older athletes discover what it means to lead.

​

"I wanted the best high schoolers to mentor the middle schoolers," he said. "They can help them get to where they want to be, and the high schoolers also get to lead by example."

​

The result has become much more than basketball.

​

Players from schools all across Southwest Washington come together each summer, creating friendships that extend beyond school rivalries. While basketball is the common language, confidence and relationships are the lasting lessons.

​

"It means the world," Izaiah said. "It makes you want to be better each day and help kids dream big."

​

He remembers watching players who struggled to find confidence as junior varsity athletes eventually break through on varsity after realizing they belonged.

​

"Sometimes all they needed was somebody who believed in them."

​

For Izaiah, that is the real victory.

​

When I asked what he hopes every camper takes home after four days, his answer had very little to do with points or championships.

​

"I hope they made relationships that could last a lifetime. I hope they made memories. I hope they had fun."

​

He believes youth sports sometimes lose sight of that.

​

"I feel like what's lost in the sport is everything needs to be serious all the time. The lost art is enjoying the game. If you love basketball, you'll push to be better. If everything is hard every single time, you'll probably get burnt out."

​

Building Summer Slam has not been easy.

​

Behind every packed gym are countless hours of planning, fundraising, finding sponsors, organizing volunteers, and preparing every detail before campers ever step onto the court. Still, Izaiah believes every bit of it is worth it because of the impact the camp has on young athletes.

​

The camp has become one of the premier basketball events in Southwest Washington, but he is already thinking ahead. His goal is to one day expand Summer Slam into places like Seattle, Tacoma, Utah, and Arizona so even more kids can experience what the camp has to offer.

​

Basketball has shaped nearly every part of his life.

​

"I poured so much love and time into the sport. It helped me build so many relationships."

​

That point came full circle near the end of our conversation.

​

As we talked about our own playing days, we laughed about old tournaments, former teammates, and coaches who challenged us.

​

Then Izaiah said something that perfectly captured why sports matter.

​

"I could text you guys. I haven't talked to you in years, and it's still like nothing changed."

​

He is right.

​

The games eventually end.

​

The trophies find a shelf.

​

The statistics fade.

​

The friendships stay.

​

That is exactly what Summer Slam is becoming for hundreds of young athletes.

​

A place where confidence is built, relationships are formed, mentors step forward, and kids simply get to enjoy the game.

​

Because sometimes the biggest victories in basketball have nothing to do with the scoreboard.

​

----

​

Thank you, brother. Thanks for being such a good steward of the game and giving so much back to our community.

​

Please see camp information below:

​

Summer Slam Basketball Camp 2026:

​

Dates

July 27-30, 2026

​

Location

Evergreen High School
14300 NE 18th St.
Vancouver, WA 98684

​

Camp Schedule

4th-8th Grade Camp

• 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

9th-12th Grade Camp

• 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

​

Registration

Cost: $125

Every camper receives:

• Summer Slam Camp T-shirt

• Four days of instruction and competition

• Opportunities to win prizes throughout the week

​

Prizes Include

• Kobe basketball shoes

• Slides

• Hoodies

• Jerseys

• Tech

• And more

​

Contact Information

Phone: (360) 314-5913

Email: vongnathizaiah@gmail.com

Website: www.iv.training

Instagram

• @zaywayy2

• @summerslamcamp