Amber and AJ Storr return to Rockford to lead basketball camp at gym where they ‘grew up’

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — AJ and Amber Storr spent much of their youth honing their skills on the basketball courts at the downtown YMCA.

The siblings, now both playing college basketball, returned to their hometown on Saturday to pass on some of their knowledge to young basketball players here.

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“It’s important to give back, especially in this gym it means a lot because this is where we spent most of our time playing basketball,” said AJ Storr, who will play his junior season at Kansas University after transferring from Wisconsin, where he was named All-Big Ten Second Team last season.

“I think it’s important when you make it to the next level, you always have to stay connected to your community.”

The Storr siblings held a free youth basketball clinic on Saturday at the SwedishAmerican Riverfront YMCA with more than 100 kids training, playing games and competing against one another in a variety of drills. The duo also held a Q & A with campers to take their questions on everything from competing at the college basketball level to dealing with a difficult defeat.

“Growing up, in Rockford at least, there were not a lot of women who hosted a camp like this,” said Amber Storr, who will play at Southwest Baptist University in Missouri, about two and half hours from where her brother’s Jayhawks play. “It’s really important to me to show a woman’s face that young girls can look up to and know they can go to college and play sports, too.”

The Rockford natives said the camp was about more than just basketball. The goal was also to help youth build their confidence, learn healthy habits and see that they can do great things both on and off the court.

“It’s so important to give back, especially in the community that we’re in, because we grew up playing basketball here,” Amber Storr said.

Amber Storr is playing for Southwest Baptist after stops at Moberly Area Community College, Grand Canyon University and Detroit Mercy, where injuries cut her last season short.

“I’m just looking forward to bringing my veteranship to the court and finally be healthy to play and contribute,” she said.

AJ Storr started his high school career at Rockford Lutheran before he moved with his mother to Kankakee. Those were two of five high school stops, ultimately playing his final high school season at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, before signing with St. Johns.

After last season at Wisconsin, he declared for the NBA draft while keeping his college eligibility and entering the transfer portal.

Now at Kansas, he said he’s look forward to one thing: “Just winning.”

The sibling duo was aided at camp by several local basketball stars, including Ethan Lathan, a former Rockford Christian player who is now at Boise State University. There was also Isaiah Box (East/Sauk Valley/Dalton State), Jefferson High School coach LC Robinson (Jefferson/Florida A&M), and Ameer Watts (Christian Life/Missouri Southern State), to name just a few.

“They all add different pieces because they come from different styles of basketball,” AJ Storr said.

Rachel Robinson, executive director of SwedishAmerican Riverfront YMCA, said she was thrilled the siblings came home to share their talent with the community.

“Our youth need strong role models on and off the court,” she said. “AJ and Amber are wonderful examples of how hard work and determination can provide opportunities for success.”

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas