At just 10 years old, Camden Durst, a Wedgewood resident and fifth grader at Scioto Ridge, has already made a name for himself on the basketball court. Playing as a small forward, Camden is a key player for the Ohio Saints while competing for the St. Brigid Wolfhounds. His passion for the game started early, learning from his older brother before officially joining a team in third grade.

For Camden, basketball is more than just a sport—it’s about camaraderie, competition, and improvement. “It’s fun to play and compete with friends and get better as a team,” he says. His dedication and love for the game have only grown over the years, thanks in part to the support and guidance of his coach, Lee Schilling. Having coached Camden for two years, Schilling has become a patient and kind mentor who continues to help him refine his skills.

Like many young athletes, Camden looks up to some of the biggest names in the sport. LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Victor Wembanyama are his sporting heroes, inspiring him to push himself on the court. His love for basketball has also allowed him to meet some well-known sports figures. Last summer, he attended the Ohio State basketball camp, where he had the exciting opportunity to meet OSU players and Coach Jake Diebler.

Competing at a high level, Camden plays AAU basketball in the spring, which has taken him to various tournaments around Columbus and even to Cincinnati. He has also had the chance to experience professional basketball up close. One of his favorite memories was attending the NBA Finals in Cleveland in 2017 when he was still very young. He’s looking forward to another exciting experience when he heads to a Cleveland Cavaliers game this March.

Success has followed Camden and his teams throughout his young career. His St. Brigid squad was crowned champions last year in fourth grade, and this season, they went undefeated to win their division. Among all his achievements, one of his favorite sporting moments was playing against his friends on another team this year—and winning! Moments like these make all the hard work and dedication worthwhile.

As for the future, Camden is keeping his options open. “We’ll see,” he says when asked if he plans to continue basketball after high school or college. “I think that would be fun, but I have many years to think about it before then!” For now, he’s focused on improving his game, enjoying the competition, and making the most of every opportunity.

Camden has some advice for those looking to get into basketball: “Sign up for basketball camps in the summer.” He highly recommends the camps at Otterbein, Liberty, and OSU, where young players can develop their skills, learn from experienced coaches, and have a great time on the court.

With his talent, passion, and dedication, Camden Durst is on an exciting path in basketball. It will be exciting to see where his journey takes him next.