As he watched his team of 10- and 11-year-old girls that make up the Moody Family YMCA basketball team, Chris Ortiz looked like a proud papa.
Which he is, since one of his players is his daughter, Viva.
Ortiz and his team were the honorees Friday night at the Mavericks’ final preseason game as they were named the coach and team of the year in Dallas as part of Jr. NBA night around the league. The award goes to a coach and team that not only are successful at their level, but also exhibit the values of leadership on the court and in life. Members of the Mavs Academy, partnering with J. Alexander Law firm, work with the local YMCA leaders to come up with candidates, who are then voted on by the Mavericks.
Ortiz’s team won their age-group championship. He was quick to give credit to his kids for their hard work on the journey that landed them at AAC on Friday.
“It was the kids,” Ortiz said. “And this is why I know it’s the kids. I had to go to Cuba for the semifinal game. My wife and I had (a conflict). So I wasn’t there.
“I had a parent step up and coach them. And he said, Chris I don’t know anything about basketball. I said: Don’t worry. They know what to do. Just let them play. All you got to do is lead them and guide them. They ended up winning on sudden-death free throws and we played for the championship the next game.
“They’re good kids. They’re smart kids. They love basketball and I hope I had a little to do with them continuing to play basketball. That’s what gives me joy. The life lessons are what it’s all about.”
The kids got to meet several Maverick players and received autographs. Ortiz’s daughter, Viva, also got the thrill of a lifetime.
She was pulled from the stands by a member of the Mavericks’ coaching staff and brought out onto the court as several players were warming up. Viva got to throw a lob pass and mingle with the players.
“It was so bad,” Viva said of her lob. I was nervous. They’re so tall. But it’s been great. It was super-exciting.”
As it was for all her teammates.
“This is so cool,” said Piper Gray, 11. “It’s awesome. I had to go to school and I couldn’t wait to get out of school and come here. We’re pretty excited about it. All the hard work pays off in the end.”
Added Tess Brooker: “It’s something that I really appreciate that I was invited. It’s an honor to be on the floor. If I was just here with my parents as a regular basketball game, I’d probably be up there somewhere at the top. And it’s fun to be with my entire team as well.”
Brooker picked up basketball in the first grade and wants to continue by playing for her schools in the future. When asked what the best part of basketball is, she said: “My favorite part about it is winning. And being able to play with my friends.”
The NBA players on the court would have applauded that answer.
The players gave a nod to Ortiz for helping improve their skills this year.
Ortiz has a history of coaching in the Dallas area at the high-school level. That was one of the reasons he was reluctant to take over as a coach for young girls. But it was the opportunity to coach his daughter that convinced him this was a situation that he could not pass up.
“It actually started with my wife,” Ortiz said. “I’m a former head basketball coach. I started out teaching at Duncanville High School and I did that for 12 years. I coached football and basketball, but my love was always basketball. When I left, I told my wife, the next time I coach, it’s going to be my own children.
“And my daughter is a dancer. She came up to me and said, Papi, I want to play basketball. And my wife said: I signed you up. I was elated. The dream of not just giving back to our daughter, but giving back to the community . . . I jumped into the YMCA and met the right people, the directors are fantastic.”
Ortiz wanted to keep his background as a high-school coach quiet. He wanted this team to be about the girls.
“I jumped in and inherited a team,” he said. “I didn’t know even who they were and nobody knew who we were. I incorporated my daughter and we ended up winning the championship, because of the commitment of the parents and the commitment of the kids.
“I understand the coaching part, but the bigger part is about the kids. Bringing kids and communities together and sending a bigger message. The biggest message is: let’s do something bigger than ourselves. And the support has been tremendous.”
Ortiz’s passion is what set him apart when the Mavericks were interviewing candidates for Jr. NBA coach of the year.
“We reached out to our partners at the Dallas YMCA,” said Ronard Patton, senior manager of Mavs Academy. “They gave us some candidates. And we interviewed Chris and he was by far the runaway winner for our selection as the Jr. NBA coach of the year.
“He’s just got such an amazing spirit and heart for the kids and for the game of basketball. We always look for coaches that do it the right way.”
Numerous candidates were considered, then narrowed to three that were interviewed by the Mavericks.
Ortiz, his wife Pam and children were on the court to be recognized during a first-quarter time out at Friday’s game.
“It’s a special group of girls,” Pam said. “Chris used to coach Duncanville and when we had kids and we started getting involved in the YMCA, we’re like: we’re already there, why don’t you start coaching them. And then it’s championships and it’s brought the kids joy and it’s such a blessing.”
And recognition as the Jr. NBA coach of the year for promoting success on the court with values off it.
Twitter: @ESefko
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