Looking around Redmond High’s gymnasium, mementos of Maarty Leunen’s time there are everywhere.

There’s the banner honoring his retired number 11, from his days playing for the Panthers 2000-2004. It’s the only basketball number the school has raised to the rafters. Another banner notes Leunen’s place in the school’s hall of fame.

Then there are the team mementos, with banners honoring Redmond’s 2003 state title and runner-up finish the next year, when Leunen was a senior. A sign shows the brackets from the 2003 playoffs, along with the Panthers’ roster. It also celebrates Leunen’s player of the year and first-team all-tournament selections.

But memories of Leunen weren’t needed last week. The man himself was in the gym, creating new memories for a group of kids.

Leunen, 31, played host to his fourth annual youth basketball camp June 15 and 16 for dozens of boys and girls in two age groups, ranging from third graders to high school seniors.

“It’s good to see the same group of kids come back year after year, along with new faces who want to improve,” Leunen said.

Leunen was back in Redmond after wrapping up his ninth professional season, and second with the Italian team Sidigas Avellino. Leunen helped the team reach the semifinals of the 16-team Serie A with a 19-11 record. He averaged 6.4 points and 5 rebounds per game.

“Overall, it was a pretty good year,” he said.

Leunen is a free agent this offseason. He said he will look at his options but his team wants him back.

“I’ve played seven years in Italy, it’s kind of like home,” he said.

Leunen went overseas after wrapping up four years at the University of Oregon in 2008. He helped the Ducks to two NCAA Tournament appearances, reaching the Midwest Regional final his senior year. He was also named second-team all-Pac-10 Conference in 2007-08.

Leunen was picked in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets. He played in summer league for Houston several times, most recently in 2014, but never made the roster.

Leunen plans to spend two months in Central Oregon before returning to Europe. He’d been back for five days when the camp started last Thursday. While he wasn’t pleased with the cool, dreary weather, he liked being home.

Leunen plans to eventually retire to the area with his wife and three children.

“I just enjoy being home with family and friends, being able to relax,” he said.

Some of the campers have attended Leunen’s event all four years. Yoshi Saito, 13, said it’s been fun learning from Leunen.

“He’s really cool,” said Yoshi, who is wrapping up the seventh grade.

Garrett Osborne, who is also in seventh grade and fourth-year camper, said Leunen does a great job teaching fundamentals.

“He gives a lot of post up, which is good,” Garrett, 13, said.

— Reporter: 541-548-2186, gfolsom@redmond spokesman.com