PGH Michigan Freshman Showcase: The LaMar Hankamp Scholarship

The Prep Girls Hoops Freshman Showcase is making it’s initial run in the state of Michigan on August 27. It will be one of the largest and most talented freshman showcase events in the midwest and quite possibly the entire country.

First of all, I’d like to that Prep Network and Prep Girls Hoops for funding and backing this scholarship in my Dad’s name. It’s yet another shining example of what a great company it truly is. Prep Girls Hoops consistently shows that it cares about the kids. They always come first. They also continue to look out for and take care of the people that work for them. Prep Network stepped up to the plate like they always do and allowed me to create the LaMar Hankamp Scholarship in an honor of my father. Prep Girls Hoops has allowed me to select a player and invite them to the PGH Michigan Freshman Showcase with no financial obligations.

First, let me give you some background. My Dad always worked hard and provided for his family. He always attended and supported me and my brothers athletics, proud of us whether we won or lost. He always gave us the opportunity to do the things we love and made sure that we put in the work to reach the level that we dreamed of. My brother and I both ended up as college athletes, in large part because of him. In 1997, 3 friends and I were involved in a life altering car accident. We were hit head on at 55 miles per hour by a drunk driver. I was med flighted to the nearest hospital and was in a coma. When I first woke up and understood what was going on, I was told that I may never walk again. My Dad had taught me different, that there was no limit to what I could accomplish except for the limits that I put on myself. Throughout my recovery, my father was in my corner and refused to believe that I couldn’t do the things that I loved. He continued to provide me with opportunities to recover and live a normal life, even when “experts” said that it wouldn’t happen.

Fast forward to today and I live a terrific life. I have a wonderful family and a job that I could have only dreamed of. This life would have never happened without my Dad teaching me how to come out on top and providing me with opportunities to do so. The LaMar Hankamp Scholarship is my way of hoping to extend my father’s legacy. To provide a young man with an opportunity to reach for the stars and for them to see that there are more people in their corner.

My Dad passed away in the fall of 2021 , but I was able to tell him and talk to him about the LaMar Hankamp Scholarship before he passed away. He was proud to know that the man and father that he was would continue to have a positive influence for years to come. He’d be very happy to know that Natasha Shell Natasha Shell PG Cass Tech | 2027 MI was named the recipient of the scholarship this year. She’s a talented point guard that attends Cass Tech and plays grassroots basketball for Team FVV – HYPE. Shell displays excellent court vision, the ability to change direction on a dime and a terrific mid range jumper. Coach Doc Cornell describes her as “a female Rajan Rondo with a jump shot”. My Dad would be thrilled to know the kind of person that Natasha Shell Natasha Shell PG Cass Tech | 2027 MI is as well. She’s an honor student that wants to be an engineer. Shell is a perfect choice for this years LaMar Hankamp Scholarship.