President Obama Applauds ​'Heroic' ​Young Athletes, Loses Game of HORSE

It's not every day you get to meet the Leader of the Free World. 

"I was starstruck as soon as I saw Obama," Jamal Holloway told Bleacher Report. "I was afraid to say my name wrong, it felt like my hands were really sweaty, and I was just kind of falling apart with nerves."

The 3-star college football recruit was among a small collection of Camden athletes who took part in an intimate meeting with President Barack Obama during his May 18 visit to the tough New Jersey city. A 2011 study of 432 American cities identified Camden as the poorest and home to the highest crime rate per capita, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. That year, its murder rate was found to be nearly 12 times higher than the national average.

This was a landmark day for the city as the president came to applaud the role Holloway and fellow Camden youth have played to help improve safety in the city. 

"He said we've pretty much had to be superheroes to do what we're doing," Holloway said.

The high school junior met Obama at the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center. Three Camden High School basketball teammates joined him—Myles Thompson, Rasool Hinson and fellow coveted college football prospect Brad Hawkins—as well as four members of Woodrow Wilson High School's girls basketball program.

"President Obama understood what's been going on in Camden and the challenges we faced sometimes growing up," Holloway said. "He's an excellent listener.

"It was an amazing experience for all of us. Not many people get to sit down with the president and actually speak with him. I kind of couldn't believe it was actually happening."

A city that seemed lost not too long ago is beginning to find its way toward a new era, according to Obama.

"Nobody is suggesting that the job is done," Obama told John Kopp of the Philly Voice. "This is a work-in-progress. ... But this city is on to something. ... That's why I'm here today—because I want to focus on the fact that other cities across America can make similar progress.

"The kids who grow up here, they're America's children. Just like children every place else, they've got hopes and dreams and potential."

Obama later tweeted a picture of his meeting with the collection of Camden student-athletes. It was actually the first photo ever posted from his personal Twitter account. Holloway can be seen far left in the second row of bleachers:

Holloway said he too senses a momentum shift in his hometown.

"A lot of people view this as a crime-ridden city, but things are improving," he said. "Everything isn't what it seems. You really have to see our city for yourself to understand it's not always violent here. It's not people getting shot every day. Our community is maturing. The police are more interactive with everyone, and people are looking to make sure that children have leadership so we can keep moving forward."

Credit: Tyler Donohue

The serious nature of the visit soon turned fun and competitive when the basketballs came out.  

"Obama said he wanted to play some ball, so you know that got me excited," Holloway said.

Holloway is known for his skills on the gridiron, but he is no slouch on the court. The 6'4", 205-pound playmaker is also a basketball standout who led Camden in points, rebounds, blocks and steals during a 25-win season last winter.

Obama, arguably the world's most well-known hoops fan, couldn't resist challenging the young athletes to a game of H-O-R-S-E.

The POTUS might regret that decision now.

"President Obama was pretty good. He hit a couple shots, but then I eliminated him," Holloway said.

A silky mid-range jump shot sent the president packing.

Holloway later claimed an overall victory in the game by sinking an attempt from the foul line.

Courtesy of Jamal Holloway

Though he didn't head back to the White House as a H-O-R-S-E champion, the president did receive a consolation prize—a Camden Panthers basketball shirt presented to him by Holloway and teammates.

Athletics have helped open the door for Holloway to represent Camden at a high level on the field and in the classroom. After spending time with President Obama, he carries an increased understanding of what that could mean for the future—his and the city's.

Credit: 247Sports

"Obama told us he believes we'll be successful when we get older. He was confident about that," Holloway said. "As more kids from Camden get a chance for college education and earn a good living, there will be better opportunities to make a positive impact in the community."

It's fair to say Holloway will remember his interaction with Obama for the rest of his life.

Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue unless otherwise noted.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.