Dear Campers & Supporters:

Welcome!

Registration is open!

This year we celebrate the 30th Year Anniversary of the Sugar Mel All-Star Free Basketball Camp, on August 5-7th, 2025. 
Campers can REGISTER BY EMAILING campers
*Name
*Grade*
*Age
*T-shirt size* to:
[email protected]

Melvin “Sugar” McLaughlin is a Grand Rapids, Michigan native, and basketball legend. Sugar is Creston High School and Central Michigan University’s all-time men's leading scorer and hall of Famer. Drafted by the NBA, Cleveland Cavaliers, attended the Detroit Piston’s Camp and played for the Continental Basketball Association (currently the G-League). In addition, Sugar played with The Magic Johnson All-Stars.” He is also the founder of the “Sugar” Mel All-Star Basketball Camp and He recently founded The Sugar Mel All-Star Camp Literacy and Education Program (SMAC). Most recently, Sugar was selected as the award winner of the 2022-23 best male athlete of the 50th Year Anniversary of the Grand Rapids Hall of Fame!

The “Sugar Mel” All-Star Camp is held in the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and has allowed him the opportunity to give back to his community annually, for the past 30 years; serving over 10,000 campers. The camp provides attendees with a constructive, enriched, and fun experience through the game of basketball.

The 2025 “Sugar” Mel All-Star Basketball Camp is for boys and girls in the 5th- 12th grades. The camp’s mission is to assist the youth with improving their athletic skills while promoting the 6-D's and 3-C's.

“6- D’s” (Dedication, Discipline, Desire, Determination, Decision-Making, and Devotion).
"3-C's" (Choices, Chances and Changes).

The camp also encourages faithfulness, responsibility, and community!

In addition to basketball drills, there will be motivational speakers engaging our youth. Campers must register by July 15, 2025. All Campers will be provided free lunch, Sugar Mel merch, gift bags, and awards. Individual and team awards include:

* 1 on 1 Championship Awards ** Camp MVP Award *** Team Tourney Awards **** SLAM Dunk Contest Awards ***** 3-Point Contest Awards

**ALL parents (legal guardians) must sign an injury waiver on the first day of the camper's participation. To make it more convenient waivers will be sent to the email provided when registering campers @ [email protected] Please look for the waiver form in your email prior to the first day of camp.


Follow Sugar Mel:
Facebook: SugarMel Bball Summer Camp
Instagram: sugarmelbasketballcamp

The Sugar Mel All-Star Camp (SMAC) Literacy & Education Program has implemented a reading initiative. Grades 7th-12th grades can enter the essay contest by reading "Sweet Shot" the Basketball Life and Legacy of "Sugar" Melvin McLaughlin and write a 3-page essay about how the book inspired them, and how they plan to implement that inspiration in their growth and development. Grades 5th-6th who has participated in the camp, can write an essay about how attending the camp has inspired them. 

Essay winners will be announced at this year's camp and will receive additional gifts and prizes. Contestants do not have to be local. See "SugarMel SweetShot ReadingInitiative" on Facebook or email "[email protected]" for questions.

SMAC Literacy and Education Program will also be recognizing and rewarding two campers (1 boy and 1 girl) with the Melvin "Sugar" McLaughlin" award for demonstrating academic excellence throughout the 23-24 school year.

Nomination Requirements:
**Registered for the 2025 All -Star Camp
**GPA 3.5 or higher
**Email report card "[email protected]"
**Submit by July 9, 2025

We look forward to seeing you at the camp! Let's Ball! #Swoosh

Sugar Mel & Team