Below you will see 2 photos of young men who traveled with me this past summer.  They are both in the 9th grade however they are from 2 different parts of the city Mykel is from Hunters Point and Paul is from Plaza East in the Western Addition.

I will be the 1st to admit at the tryouts they did not get along for whatever reason.  I made these to room together the whole summer and challenged them each morning to tell me something about each other. As the summer progresses, these 2 had great things to say about each other.   In addition on the court these guys played like poetry in motion helping us win the 15u National title.  Both were invited to Team USA Nationals tryout camp in Denver where they competed with 24 other 15 year olds from around the country, vying for 12 spots to represent USA in the World Games in Rome, Italy. Unfortunately they did not make the team but the experience they had was priceless.  

Last night, at the late night hoops game there was almost a big altercation between youths from Hunters Point and Fillmore, and not to my surprise, these 2 young men were in the middle of everything being peacemakers and calming the situation.  You had to be there to see this but I was nothing but smiles.  

I didn’t say anything to them about It after we went to get something to eat afterwards but I will say now that sports brought these to young men together to not only compete but to grow as young adults.  This is the type of violence prevention that no one wants to support but yet it’s very effective and plays a vital role in calming things in neighborhoods everyday.  The brotherhood they have formed will be everlasting. I’m just so proud of these 2 and I’m lucky to be apart of their lives for the next few years as they grow into future stars on and off the court.

We are giving young people a chance by leveling the playing field by giving them opportunities to compete and travel around the country to pursue their dreams without having to worry about the financial commitment It takes to do It.  

So sorry for the long email but this story had to be told.   

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