Some of Zack Novak's first basketball memories come from his days on the youth camp circuit.

Listening to the likes of Indiana coaching legend Bobby Knight as a youth, Novak was often in awe of the figures offering him lessons on the game.

And now, instead of being a face in the crowd, the former Michigan basketball captain is repaying the favor with a youth camp circuit of his own.

"The first day was a little surreal," Novak said. "I think a few days in I really got the hang of it and it started moving smoothly.

"It's just a great chance to give back."

Novak recently finished up a youth basketball camp in his hometown of Chesterton, Ind. and will now run a similar event in Dexter, running July 30 to Aug. 1.

He says the chance to be able to help kids in his actual hometown was something special, and something he'd been wanting to do for some time.

But Dexter won't be chopped liver, either, as his adopted home -- Ann Arbor -- is just 10 miles down the road.

"The one back home was cool just because I was that kid in that camp at one time," he said. "To be able to help out those guys was great. The kids I did get in, they really wanted to be there. They were attentive, listening, working hard, it was unbelievable.

"And obviously the Ann Arbor area, I'm sure we had a lot of fans in the Dexter, Chelsea, Saline areas, and they've all been really good to me over the past four years. To be able to give back and help them out is really cool."

Novak's playing career isn't quite finished yet, as he's currently working with his agent to find a proper professional fit overseas for next season. He recently got an offer to play in Switzerland, but says he's still searching for something that suits him better.

Several times last season, Novak was asked whether he'd ever consider going into the coaching profession when he's finished playing. He never quite ruled out that idea, and said these camps have given him a small glimpse at what that might be like some day.

"It's different when you were listening and you didn't have to figure out what to do (with drills and things)," he said. "Now you have to convey what you think is right, and how to do something.

"You've got to know what you're talking about, especially if you're teaching it."

As for his message to campers?

Novak's is simple.

It's basically the story of his career.

"I just tell them to look at me," Novak says. "You're going to have goals in life, and you're going to have setbacks on your way to those goals.

"But you have to persevere. A lot of those kids have seen what I've done, and it's not their parents talking to them. Their parents can give them the same message, but I think it helps coming from someone who's gone through it. It's good to have a voice that can reach people like that."

Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.