As he surveyed the shiny new basketball court at the Boys & Girls Club of East Dallas, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver took a moment to remember that sports as a way of life probably is not in the cards for most of the 100 young people that were gathered around him.
“There’s so much excitement around the NBA Finals,” he told the kids. “People all around the world are watching. But we come to town, there’s all this fanfare and we leave. All of that dissipates.
“But what we leave is a renovated Boys & Girls Club. So for all of you, it’s a beautiful basketball court that’s been refurbished. But some of you may not care about playing basketball. You may want to go to the STEM lab, learn about reading, learn about computers. That’s what this is here for. So what’s most important is that, after all of this is over no matter what happens in the NBA Finals, that you take advantage of this club.”
Basketball is the conduit to facilities like the one the NBA and Mavericks dedicated on Thursday. But it has so much more to give kids a chance to succeed in life.
The NBA joined forces with the Mavericks Foundation to dedicate with a formal ribbon-cutting the new facility at the B&G club on Worth Street. It’s a major part of the NBA Cares Finals Legacy project.
It was an event that brought out a who’s who of sports personalities, business executives and political leaders. But the real stars were the kids.
They went through basketball clinics with Mavericks who took a break from the stress of the NBA Finals, including P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford, Jaden Hardy and Dereck Lively II.
They enjoyed a new STEM lab with computers, IPADs and other learning tools.
They played foosball, air hockey and video games in the new multipurpose play zone.
It’s a Taj Mahal of opportunity for kids from the area near Baylor Hospital.
“This is for you,” Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont said to the kids, who ran from ages 6 to teenagers. “We did this so you can have the best possible opportunity you can have.
“These are the best athletes in the world. The way they got here is by hard work and by having a community behind them, just like you do. So I would encourage you to work as hard as you can and maybe one day you can accomplish great things, too.”
Among other luminaries at the dedication were Mavericks’ CEO Cynt Marshall, Dallas County judge Clay Jenkins, former Mavericks’ star and 2011 NBA champion Shawn Marion and NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum.
This is the 58th Learn & Play space that the Mavs Foundation has been part of, as well as the 33rd court renovation.
Marshall said the Mavericks Foundation, which was responsible for the basketball court, and the NBA, which oversaw the STEM lab and play zone, had a wonderful collaboration for the renovation of the club, which was badly needed. The before-and-after pictures are quite revealing.
“The Dallas Mavericks are champions on and off the court,” Marshall said. “We pride ourselves on the work we do in the community. As we often say, some things are bigger than basketball. And today is a perfect example of our dedication to community.”
Lively, who turned 20 on Feb. 12., is not that far removed from some of the kids who utilize the center. He had a flashback that he and the kids on hand could relate to.
“It takes me back to when I was little, looking up to my dreams – not that long ago, though,” Lively said. “I was trying to figure out where I was going to be, figure out who I am as a person.
“Being involved with the next generation is something I really cherish. When I think back to my childhood, I had to walk to the YMCA. Now to try to give back and help, it’s amazing to let kids chase their imagination.”
Asked what he thinks the important aspects of a community club like the one that the Mavericks helped renovate are, Lively said learning simple manners is a big part of it.
“Social skills – what’s the magic word: please,” he said. “Just being able to do the little things to help kids learn. I think COVID kind of stunted a lot of kids’ social skills, and a lot of people in general. So I just try to (help) them learn about themselves, about society.”
Washington, who grew up in the Dallas area, said he tried to deliver a message of self-confidence to the kids.
“I love the city of Dallas. I’m from here and I’m super-excited for you guys,” Washington said. “Always believe in yourself. Don’t let anybody tell you that there’s something you can’t do. Strive to be the best version of yourself and always believe.
“These are way more important than basketball. To create a better world, a better place, for all of us, it’s always fun coming out here and being a part of it. And I don’t think it gets enough recognition.”
Marion, who retired from the NBA 10 years ago but remains a fixture in the Dallas community and with the Mavericks, said kids should remember that not everybody has an opportunity to use a facility like the Boys & Girls Club.
And as he looked around at the computers and new games available to the kids, he marveled at their opportunity.
“I didn’t get a chance to really participate in any Boys & Girls clubs,” Marion said. “I went to some, but we had to pay to go in. It wasn’t free.
“But this is awesome. When you’re able to set the foundation for the growth of kids in the right direction, that’s what it’s about. They did a great job. I mean, look at this facility. This is awesome. What kid wouldn’t be excited about coming in here.”
Gafford took part in a scavenger hunt with the kids, where some of them knew the answers to questions before Gafford, such as what year Dirk Nowitzki won the NBA Most Valuable Player award.
For Hardy, it was something that reminded him of what it means to be part of a team.
“Some players grew up in situations like this, would go to the Boys & Girls Club or recreation center,” he said. “It’s super-important to be able to learn, work as a team, build social skills. And this is where you make friends, too.”
And it’s an initiative that’s near and dear to the NBA’s heart.
“So many of the players in this league, NBA players, WNBA players, they grew up in a Boys & Girls Club like this one,” Silver said. “And there was a place to go after school, (where) people who cared about them.
“So take advantage of this club. These people are here because they really care about all of you. They want you to take advantage of this club.”
X: @ESefko
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