Tristan Hill's legacy lives on at local youth basketball camp

There is a long list of traits those closest to Tristan Hill will always remember him for.

"His love for kids, his love for basketball. His love for energy and commitment, to help kids," says Tom Mauer, former head basketball coach at Galena.

“He was a selfless person. He just cared about other people. It didn’t matter who you were,” says Luke Babbitt, Hill's former teammate with the Grizzlies. “He had a joy that was infectious to others. the fact that we can hopefully carry that on to these kids, that’s our goal.”

The goal of the Tristan Hill Blue Chip Basketball Camp, which lives on, thanks to those who loved him most.

“That was one of the things that Tristan loved so much. He loved playing the game, and he loved how it brought people together," says JD Peters, Hill's longtime friend and former teammate. “This Northern Nevada basketball community meant everything to him. It was really kind of the foundation of his, and frankly a lot of our lives.”

A life which ended too soon, after a tragic helicopter crash in March.

“It’s been really moving. The first day was a little somber. We’re here for a purpose. We think we’re making Tristan proud today, so it’s good," said Iain Hill, Tristan's older brother.

“It means a lot to both of us, both his mother and I," says John Hill, Tristan's father. "Obviously it’s been a hard, hard four months. But seeing this happen and knowing it’s going to continue to happen, it’s really special.”

Tristan's legacy will always live on, through the people who touched him, and those he touched right back.

“I don’t get tattoos, but i’m going to end up getting a tattoo with a basketball and a 'T' in it," said Mauer. "To let him and the family know and the other players know, how much respect I have for Tristan.”

“I continue to be surprised, as evidenced by his camp, at how hard he worked and how much it meant to him to make other people smile," says Hill's brother Iain.

Because a simple smile can brighten someone's day, and Tristan brightened many.

“He was a friend to everybody. He touched so many people’s lives. He reached so many people. That’s why this hurts so bad. Everybody knew him, everybody loved him," said Babbitt.

“If you didn’t know him when he walked into the room, you knew him before he left," says Hill's father John. "Thousands of people all over the place are grieving, but also celebrating.”