In collaboration with the British Basketball League and U.S. Embassy London, the former Utah Jazz player brought a taste of America to the young basketballers in Hackney
02 August 2023 – London UK: The British Basketball League and U.S. Embassy London came together today to host an inspiring series of youth basketball clinics at NCC Hackney. Nearly 100 young people from communities across London participated across the day, brought together through their love of basketball and ties with Greenhouse Sport, Badu and the Weaver’s community in East London.
Delivered by professional basketball Club London Lions, the clinics gave nearly 100 young basketballers the opportunity to learn new skills and demonstrate their talents in front of special guest and NBA star Jarron Collins – Assistant Coach of New Orleans Pelicans and former NBA player. Collins inspired the room through his physical involvement in coaching the young people, as well as talking about the importance of passion and hard work in the sport of basketball. The former Utah Jazz player-turned-Assistant Coach, who has three Championship titles to his name in his coaching career, left many jaws on the floor when speaking about his time playing against NBA legends Michael Jordan, Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant and Lebron James.
Talking about his career and his time at the clinics, Collins said:
“I saw my young self in the kids here today; I remember being empowered by the players and coaches who invested their time in me, inspired me and gave me encouragement and purpose. What I wanted to get across to these young players is that there is no secret to success. Get your head down, work hard and you will achieve.”
Today’s event placed a special emphasis on girls’ basketball, an opportunity to encourage and inspire young girls to continue pursuing their passion for the sport. It was an impressive turnout with over 30 girls participating on-court, showcasing the great appetite and love for basketball among young females in this region of the capital.
GeneraI Manager of London Lions Women and Head of Academy of London Lions, Vanja Cernivec, said:
“I would like to thank all the partners that stepped up and recognised that girls participating in sport is so important. Seeing over 30 girls on the court today was incredibly rewarding, and long may it continue. This is the first of a series of clinics we will deliver to the community throughout summer, and I hope to see these girls at our new Lions Academy.”
Through this joint effort, the British Basketball League and the U.S. Embassy London showcased not only the strong relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States but demonstrated both organisations’ commitment to local communities and the unifying power of sports in bringing those communities together.
Matthew Palmer, Deputy Chief of Mission at U.S. Embassy London, said:
“Diplomacy is all about building connections, and sports is one of the most powerful ways to do that. That’s why everyone at the U.S. Embassy is so supportive of what the British Basketball League and the NBA are doing here today, and why the State Department supports programs like this in more than 180 countries.”
“It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what language you speak, what religion you are or how much money you have: you can always play together and compete with one another.
“Sports like basketball also teach you important lessons about teamwork, leadership, communication, and overcoming adversity; skills that matter not just on the court, but in all areas of life. And maybe most importantly to us, sports are a place where you can make friendships across borders, and with basketball especially, experience an essential part of American culture.”
Aaron Radin, British Basketball League CEO, said: “As a coach myself, I’ve seen the impact that basketball has on people’s lives. Doing events like this is vitally important for our commitment to communities – basketball only succeeds if the community succeeds. Thank you to everyone involved here today – it’s only through giving these opportunities and creating facilities like this at the NCC can young talent really flourish.”
The clinic not only exposed the youngsters to basketball but through one-hour life skills sessions, also offered them valuable life lessons, instilling a sense of self-discipline, determination, and teamwork that extends far beyond the court.