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Nearing 10-year anniversary of his mother's shooting, Camden's Hinson meets the president

Millicent Hinson had something special to tell her daughter this week. Hinson makes regular trips to her only child's grave in Harleigh Cemetery, bringing flowers and relaying news of her grandson's activities in school and in sports.

Millicent Hinson had something special to tell her daughter this week.

Hinson makes regular trips to her only child's grave in Harleigh Cemetery, bringing flowers and relaying news of her grandson's activities in school and in sports.

"I tell her everything," Millicent Hinson said.

On the brink of the 10th anniversary of her daughter's death in one of the most heartbreaking and horrific cases of random violence in Camden's history, Hinson had big news: Her grandson Rasool, her daughter Nadirah's oldest son, met the President of the United States.

"Not many people can say that," Millicent Hinson said. "That's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Rasool Hinson was one of a handful of Camden students, along with basketball teammates Brad Hawkins, Jamal Holloway and Myles Thompson, who spent time with President Obama during the chief executive's visit to Camden on Monday.

They even got to shoot hoops with him.

"It was a great experience," Rasool Hinson said. "It's not something that you ever think you would get a chance to do, meet the president. I'll never forget it."

Hinson and his teammates, along with some girls' basketball players from Woodrow Wilson, were chosen to meet the president because they are top athletes but also good students and strong representatives of the city's youth.

Hinson is an honor roll student who plans to attend Coppin State University and play basketball and study business.

Hinson also is a remarkable role model for other youngsters in Camden and elsewhere because of the adversity that he has overcome in his life.

"Amazing kid," said Camden assistant basketball coach Arthur Barclay, who is also a city councilman. "I'm just so proud of him."

The president didn't ask Hinson to tell his story, which is a pity.

He would have been astounded to learn that Hinson was 7 years old and riding in the car when his mother was killed instantly by a bullet from an AK-47 when she inadvertently drove into the middle of a shootout.

He would have been shocked to learn that Hinson grabbed his twin brothers, were were then five years old, and helped them to safety through the shattered side window of the car.

He would have been amazed to learn that Hinson grew up to be a basketball star for South Jersey's most fabled program - starting for three straight sectional championship teams - as as well as a top student.

Thursday marked the 10-year anniversary of the incident. Three days earlier, Hinson was playing "knockout" on the court with the president.

"He made his first shot," Hinson reported of Obama's left-handed stroke. "But then he got knocked out. It was fun. He (Obama) was having fun with us."

Hinson said Obama wanted to talk to the youngsters about the county police force in Camden and to hear their thoughts on the city's streets.

"He was really a nice guy," Hinson said. "I expected that. He has kids our age, so he knows how to talk to us."

Hinson said he was "nervous at first," but soon relaxed because of Obama's easy-going manner.

Millicent Hinson said her grandson couldn't stop talking about his experience.

"He said, 'Nana, I met the president,' " Millicent Hinson said. "He was going on and on about it.

"I told him, 'Paco (Rasool's nickname), maybe someday you'll be president.' "

panastasia@phillynews.com

@PhilAnastasia

www.philly.com/

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