Former Butler High and Colorado State guard and Ethan Morton is holding a youth basketball camp July 14-16 at Butler Intermediate High School. Submitted photo

Ethan Morton has had plenty of basketball mentors.

The Butler graduate, who finished his collegiate hoops career with Colorado State this past season, will soon take time away from training for a professional odyssey overseas to hold his second annual basketball camp for local youths.

“The best way I’ve learned through basketball is just to try and pay things forward,” said Morton, Pennsylvania’s 2019-20 Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year. “That’s the best way to do it.”

He hopes to inspire those who attend the camp, which will be held from July 14-16 at Butler Intermediate High School. Boys and girls grades 3-8 are welcome, and registration is $120. Day-of registration will be accepted.

“You want them to have fun and enjoy playing the game,” Morton said. “Out of the whole camp, even if ... you can change one kid’s life or perspective on the game or what they can do just through that, that’s better than nothing at all. Hopefully we can do that for plenty of kids for years to come.”

Well before starring on the hardwood for the Golden Tornado, Morton was a young child who looked up to the varsity players.

“My first thoughts of camp (are) growing up, Coach (Matt) Clement used to have the Hotshot summer camps at CT (Center Township Elementary School), I remember,” Morton said. “I just always used to love doing that so much, having the high school players there, those were the guys I looked up to when I was younger. ... For me to be able to try and do something similar and just involve the kids and just share the love of the game that I have for basketball, it’s cool.”