Chris Duhon, a 2000 Salmen High graduate, has signed a two-year $12 million contract with the New York Knicks.

Duhon, 25, said he is looking forward to playing in the fast-paced offense that first-year head coach Mike D’Antoni brings with him to the Big Apple.

“I think his offensive system will give me the opportunity to showcase a lot of my talents,” Duhon said. “It’s a system where he has a lot of confidence in his point guards. The point guard is one of the main packages in his system to being successful. Him having the confidence in me to come in and having the chance to compete for a starting job is something I was very attracted to.” D’Antoni goes to the Knicks after spending the last five years with the Phoenix Suns and compiling a 253-136 record. He also took the Suns to the playoffs the last four years. This year, Phoenix lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the postseason.

Duhon and D’Antoni’s new team finished last season tied for the fifth worst record in the NBA (23-59) with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Until his move to the Knicks, Duhon had spent his four-year career with the Chicago Bulls after being drafted in the second round and 38th overall in 2004.

Duhon played in 300 games with Chicago and started 159. He averaged 6.9 points per game and dished out 4.5 assists, while averaging 25.9 minutes of playing time. Last season, he competed in 66 games with 18 starts. Duhon averaged 5.8 points a game and posted four assists.

Salmen coach Jay Carlin, who coached Duhon in high school, said he feels the move will help the point guard since D’Antoni’s style allows the guys to play a little more.

“I’m extremely proud of Chris and very excited. He’s going to Coach D’Antoni’s system, which will be up-and-down. He’ll be more involved. Hopefully they’ll put players around him,” Carlin said.

This week, Duhon is holding the Chris Duhon Basketball Camp at Fritchie Park Gym. It’s the fourth year of the camp, which concludes today. The clinic teaches the participants about rebounding, passing, free throws, dribbling and shooting. Those involved also get to compete in games and contests during the day.

Coaches and players from the area including Carlin, Salmen assistant Ryan Walsh and others are helping with the program.

This year’s camp attracted 163 children ages 7-15. The majority of participants come from Slidell, while others have made the trip from places as far away as California, Las Vegas and New York. Duhon said he looks forward to the camp.

“Each year it’s getting bigger and bigger. We’re excited about it,” Duhon said. “We have fun with it and the kids have fun. We love doing it.”

Duhon added that he enjoys coming back to Slidell.

“It’s good to come back home and see my family, guys that I grew up with,” Duhon said.

Will Hornsby, a 14-year old Slidell High student, is attending the camp for the third time. When asked his favorite part of the camp, Hornsby said, “everything.” He talked about what keeps him coming back.

“I love this game and I want to get better at it,” Hornsby said. “It’s been great. You learn a lot of things and meet new people.”

Tommie Munson, a 15-year old Northshore student, attending the camp for the first time said he found out about the camp through a friend and his mom signed him up. He said he has enjoyed his time so far.

“It’s an excellent experience,” Munson said. “You get to see Chris Duhon come out here. I play basketball because I love the sport. I plan on coming back next year.”