Young people in Suffolk had the opportunity to be a part of the first Sugar Rodgers Camp at King’s Fork High School last Saturday.

It was only fitting that Rodgers hosted her camp at King’s Fork after her successful basketball career as a Bulldog. There was dancing, skill work and intangible skills all involved in the gym last Saturday.

Rodgers received Player of the Year honors in high school and in college, but the success continued as she became a WNBA All-Star.

It was only right for her to share her knowledge and skills with the youth from the city where she was raised. She called the experience of her first camp “amazing” and it was her duty to help and teach others.

“I was put in this position for a reason,” Rodgers said. “And that reason is to serve others and help them be in successful positions. I was excited, and the kids were super excited. Bringing basketball back to the community where I am from means the world to me.”

Rodgers recently finished her sixth season in the WNBA, which she calls a blessing. The average career only lasts two to three years, and lasting for six years is something she does not take for granted.

“I am just thankful to still be in the WNBA,” she said. “Most girls don’t last this long, and I am beyond thankful.”

This year she has battled injuries, but she has managed to still find success. Rodgers currently sits fourth on the all-time three-pointers list for the New York Liberty with 151 three-pointers.

Her 2017 season was one she will always remember. She was the league’s Sixth Woman of the Year, which goes to the top reserve in the league. On top of that, she was an All-Star for the first time in her career. It showed her that her hard work had paid off.

The Suffolk native isn’t just a basketball player. Rodgers has a passion for writing, and she is an aspiring author.

A few years ago, she penned a piece in the “Players Tribune” about her life and the things she endured as a young person growing up in Suffolk. It showed the world her perseverance, and to this day, she hears different stories about how her own story has inspired others.

At the moment, she has something in the works she didn’t want to reveal just yet. Her mother, who died in 2005, is a big part of her story. The death of her mother forced her to grow up at a young age, and that experience shaped who she is today.

At the end of the day, no matter how successful she gets, Rodgers hopes that it motivates her city.

“I want to keep giving the city hope,” she said. “I want them to see that the people from Suffolk can make it out.”