Mavericks guard Terry camps out at Clark

In between hugs, high fives and handing out sweatbands, Dallas Mavericks guard Jason “JET” Terry couldn’t help but set free one of his engaging ear-to-ear grins. As much as his job title calls for draining three-pointers and making precision passes, it is about giving back to the community and the scores of adoring fans that admire him as much for his ability on the court as for his munificence off it.

Terry was right at home in that regard this week at his second annual Jason Terry Basketball Camp at Clark Middle School. He didn’t just show up with a posse that insulated him from the scores of screaming children or make an appearance for an hour to sign autographs. Then again, Terry isn’t your average NBA baller.

His daily presence at the camp was conspicuous. He was at the center of the action when teams played 5-on-5, he answered questions, conducted trivia and even signed a young boy’s birthday card.

When a camper arrived in a Miami Heat jersey - Mavericks players and fans are still grieving the 2006 loss to the Heat in the NBA finals - Terry playfully ribbed the kid. The very next day the youngster came fully adorned in a Mavericks uniform replete with a No. 31 jersey.

“That’s what makes me smile,” Terry said. “Seeing these kids faces, seeing them smile everyday puts a huge smile on my face and let’s me know I’m doing my job.”

The camp, which was co-hosted by i9 Sports of North Texas, allowed boys and girls from three to 16 years of age to get up close and personal with Terry, who grew up in Seattle but calls Dallas his second home. Terry and the staff focused on fundamentals and advanced techniques including attacking off the dribble, shooting with confidence, defensive keys to domination and court movement and spacing.

“Me being a professional athlete I’m looked up to as a positive role model,” Terry said, “and not just seeing me on TV, seeing me on the news, but being here physically, being able to touch the kids, speak to them, and play games with them means a lot.”

During last year’s inaugural camp, 150 players showed up. That number ballooned to 225 this week and is sure to continue climbing in the coming years. Terry said he may need another gym or extra week to put the camp on in the future, but that he will continue conducting it even after he retires.

“Not only do they get great instruction from myself and my counselors, there are those life experiences,” he said. “It goes a long way and it impacts their lives.”

In addition to playing outfield for the Red Sox in the Reebok Celebrity Heroes Baseball Game, Terry spent the summer relaxing with his wife and four daughters on a trip to the Cayman Islands and traveled to Seattle for two weeks.

He has also been taking in the Olympics and has a rooting interest. Teammate Dirk Nowitzki plays for the German team and Jason Kidd is a point guard for the United States. Terry sent Nowitzki a text message Wednesday telling the star forward to enjoy the moment in spite of his struggles to put the ball in the hole.

“More important for him, he’s representing his country and having fun,” Terry said.

As for the state of the Mavericks, Terry said he believes the evaluations of the trade for Kidd came too quickly last season and hopes the story of the 2008-09 campaign will be a bestseller.

In so many words, it is now or never for Dallas.

“I pretty much see this as almost like our window of opportunity is getting smaller and smaller,” said Terry, who is one of 10 children. “We realize the sense of urgency that it is for us to get it done this season.”

If Terry can energize the Mavericks the way he enlivened the masses at Clark, let the title talk begin.

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