Black Excellence: Lumpkin opens a training facility at Uptown Vicksburg mall to help athletes excel

Vicksburg native Anthony Lumpkin has now opened his new training facility inside the Uptown Vicksburg mall titled ‘The Next Generation Skills Academy’.

Anthony Lumpkin says he just wants to give back to the community (photo with permission)

Lumpkin created NGSA to help young athletes excel in both basketball and baseball and reach their highest potential in order to meet their goals.

“I felt like it was a need and I wanted to give back as much knowledge as possible,” Lumpkin said.

NGSA will be training all levels of athletes, ages 5 to 25, where they will learn the basic fundamentals of their sport, and the more advanced athletes will continue to gain skills that are necessary for them to advance to the next level.

Lumpkin’s goal for his athletes is to gain enough skills and discipline to impress someone that will grant them a athletic scholarship.

“A free education is what I’m aiming my athletes to earn,” Lumpkin said.

Anthony Lumpkin is a well-known trainer around Vicksburg who has worked with many young athletes and helped them advance to play in the collegiate level. He starred in basketball and baseball at Warren Central High School, where he graduated in 1996, before starring at Southwest Oklahoma State and then moving on to play basketball professionally.

Next Generation Skills Academy will open its doors today, Monday, Feb. 1, for athletes to join. The hours of operation will be Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Athletes interested in the program are encouraged to visit Lumpkin’s Instagram page. Individuals can also follow the NGSA Facebook page for updates or contact Lumpkin directly at 601-218-8520.