After playing in Australia, and coaching in the United States, Europe and with NBA All-Stars, former Ute basketball player Chris Fulton is coming back to where he's always felt at home — Salt Lake City.

Fulton got into the basketball camp business with his Fulton Basketball Academy three years ago, opening locations in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. Despite the success of those Midwest camps, Fulton felt like his career in basketball wasn't complete. Representatives from 24 Hour Fitness facilities in Sandy and Murray contacted him about bringing his academy to their gyms, and Fulton said he couldn't turn it down. At the end of this summer, he and his wife and three sons are moving to Utah.

"This is my dream job," Fulton said. "This is where I want to be. I always wanted to get back here someday but never had the opportunity. I grew up in California but Salt Lake City is home to me in a lot of ways."

Fulton travels back and forth between camp locations and divides the direction with his colleagues. Former New Orleans Hornets guard — and Fulton's close friend — Adam Haluska manages the Midwest camps.

Skill development is the focus of the academy. Several of the kids who participate have aspirations of playing Division I basketball and Fulton knows what is necessary to reach that level.

"I wasn't the greatest athlete in the world but I found a way to have a successful college career," he said. "If anyone has ever proved hard work and toughness and dedication can get you where you want, it would be someone like me. I had to work hard and always prove people wrong to get where I did."

The academy's slogan is "tough, smart, unselfish," attributes Fulton said he associates with all great basketball players and great teammates. The camps meet for one hour once a week, and the kids are given specific things to work on independently the rest of the week. Although skill development is the basis of the camps, Fulton emphasizes the importance of living a well-rounded life.

"I try to reach out to each kid and make sure they understand that I'm there for them and I believe in them," he said. "I want them to be better brothers, better sisters, better students."

Since opening the Sandy and Murray locations, word has spread and Fulton is pleased with the turnout so far. His way of simplifying skill development in a way kids can understand and be successful with is a reason why the camps draw high turnouts.

"He's got a neat way to teach and his drills he puts together with what you're trying to get accomplished," said Mitch Smith, a former teammate of Fulton's at Utah. "I've seen a lot of basketball but to have it broken down this way, I was pretty excited when I saw it. It's really a unique way to teach it where the kids enjoy it but they're working on the skills."

Fulton Academy began camp at the Sandy and Murray locations June 1 and will continue meeting until Aug. 19. The camps are divided into one-hour sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 24 Hour Fitness.

mhereford@sltrib.com —

About Chris Fulton

Chris Fulton is a former Ute basketball standout.

He operates basketball academies in the Midwest.

He has returned to Utah to open new academies.