MISSISSAUGA - Andrew Nicholson can't help but think fondly of his time at the Phase 1 basketball camp as a child.

That's where the Mississauga native had the chance to meet Steve Nash one year and had the chance to learn from the Canadian basketball legend.

"It's something I'll never forget," said Nicholson, who now plays in the NBA for the Orlando Magic. "We saw him, got to ask him a couple of questions and stuff and it was great seeing him."

Nicholson, 25, is running his second annual 44 Hoops basketball camp, which concludes Friday (July 10) at Father Goetz Secondary School, Nicholson's alma mater.

He said it's humbling to see children as excited to learn from him as he was to learn from Nash roughly 10 years ago.

"They've loved it," he said. "They've gotten to go one-on-one and get guidance from someone they've seen on TV, so they're excited. Some of them are a little shy, but it's definitely good to be here helping them out."

Since Monday, Nicholson has been guiding more than 70 kids with help from friends such as former high school coach Amir Morgan and professional players David Tyndale and Jasonn Hannibal.

Like last year, Nicholson preached the importance of having a strong education. He was able to balance his academic workload with his playing time at St. Bonaventure University, excelling in both capacities before graduating with a physics degree and getting drafted in the first round by the Orlando Magic in 2012.

Nicholson had the chance to learn from Nash as a teenager and for the last two summers, Nash, now general manager of Canada Basketball's senior men's team, has picked Nicholson to play for Canada in international tournaments.

Nicholson will be busy this summer as he's expected to play for Canada at the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games and could suit up for his country in the FIBA Americas Olympic qualifying tournament in Mexico.