MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF)- Basketball fans across the Pee Dee and Grand Strand will notice a familiar face at the Beach Ball Classic.

For the first time since 2002, former Latta High School basketball point guard, University of North Carolina Tar Heel, and NBA player Raymond Felton is back at the tournament, this time at the helm.

“If I could be an inspiration to one kid I would feel like I have done my part,” said Felton. “God blessed me to come from a small town and make it as far as I did and play as long as I did in the NBA. This place, this city, Latta, Mullins, and Florence. Every city I can think about had a major part of me becoming who I am as a person and basketball player.”

After playing in the NBA for 14 years, Felton decided to hang up his jersey and start coaching.

He is in his second year as the head coach of Pace Academy in Texas.

This is the first year his team has participated in the Beach Ball Classic, and even though he would like to win it all, the big win is coming home to the community.

Pace Academy will compete on Saturday, Dec. 28 at 3:30 p.m. against Bella Vista (AZ).

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