By Deanna Bonn
Butler County Gazette
El Dorado resident Owen Giffin has been accepted to USA Basketball Gold Camp in Omaha, Nebraska, which will take place on Labor Day weekend. He is the son of John Giffin and Sariah Wilson.
The camp is one of three regional camps set up in the East, West and Midwest. As part of the application process, he submitted an application, his ballot, and game footage.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Giffin said. “A ten-time gold medalist coach will be there and I’m excited.”
“Not everyone who applies gets accepted,” said her father, John Giffin. “It’s the same organization that trains the Olympic team and the different age groups for the international Fiba competition.”
“Watching Owen develop his skills and be recognized for his commitment is so exciting,” said his mother Sariah Wilson. “I’m really proud of him.”
Giffin will be entering 8th grade at Sunrise Christian Academy/Core Prep Academy this fall. The school has a special program designed for middle schoolers who want to play basketball after high school.
At just 13 years old, Giffin is 6’1″ tall and weighs 220 pounds. He plays a combined full-back and striker position. In addition to his school team, he plays on two other club basketball teams: Primetime Express 2026 in Winfield and Buddy Buckets KS 2027 in Bel Aire Some of Giffin’s accomplishments include his honor roll nomination from the Sunrise Christian Academy in December 2021. He is a key reserve and second youngest player for Primetime Express 2026 who is 10-0 with two 1st place finishes with Mid-America Youth Basketball (MAYB) Wichita for the 2022 summer season. He was selected in Kansas Christian Athletic Association (KCAA) 7th-grade All-Tournament Team, 2021-22. He averaged 21.5 points per game in the tournament.
He was a starter as a 7th grader in the KCAA 8th grade high school boys basketball regular season and the Sunrise Christian Academy Junior High Boys Basketball postseason tournament champion for the 2021-22 season. The team went undefeated in November and December 2021 by winning the WichitaHoops League.
