FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
Seventy-five Department of Defense youth from Joint Base San
Antonio locations learned
life lessons and basketball skills from NBA and former San Antonio Spurs legend Bruce Bowen and current
Spurs guard Patty Mills during a Jr. NBA clinic at Cole High School on Joint
Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Oct. 19.
Bowen, defensive-minded player who earned three championship
rings with the Spurs, along with Mills, worked out alongside the young
participants, demonstrating skills for offense and defense and bringing smiles
to their faces.
“It’s a pleasure and an honor to be able to have an impact on
some of the kids of our military service people,” Bowen said.
Bowen has been active in community service in San Antonio
since his days as a player from 2001-2009, promoting fitness for kids and
families.
“I learned from (Spurs coach and U.S. Air Force Academy
graduate) Gregg Popovich. It’s better to help others and everything else will
come in due time,” Bowen said. “When you have a chance to impact a kid’s life,
it’s fantastic. They’re able to take things that you taught them and give
it to others. It’s kind of a circle of life so to speak, as far as the
continuous giving effort, especially in this great city of San Antonio.”
Mills, who has a 2014 NBA championship ring with the Spurs,
said he was thrilled to present the idea of lifelong fitness to the youth, and
spread joy through the sport of basketball.
“You can see how much fun the kids are having and the smiles
on their faces,” Mills said. “It’s all about the young kids and having a
healthy lifestyle. That’s why I’m here today, to share the healthy choices that
I have made in my short career. These are the kids of the future, so being here
is a big deal for me.”
Bowen noted that basketball can teach valuable life lessons,
including the concept of resiliency
.
“There are different times in the game of basketball where
you’re down by 10 with 2 minutes to go, and you start seeing the character of
some teams that aren’t prepared,” Bowen said. “I think with Gregg Popovich and
the things that he learned at the Air Force Academy … it’s not about being down
and out in those moments as long as there’s time on the clock.
“So transfer that into our society today. Maybe you didn’t
start out so well during the first half of the school year, but you can still
finish up strong. Those are the little lessons that I think basketball and
other sports provide. When kids understand that all I have to do is my best,
that’s good stuff. That’s a good recipe for us to have something truly special
in life,” Bowen said.
The clinic was one of many held across the United States the
week of Oct. 19 to help the NBA tip off its expanded youth basketball
participation program.
However, it was the only one scheduled at a military
installation during tip-off week, said Phaethon Bolton of NBA Social
Responsibility, who helped organize the event.
“All we’re doing is saying, ‘thanks for your parents’
serving,'” said NBA clinician Frank
Lopez of Lakeland, Fla.
“My son, Jarvis, really enjoyed the interaction with new
kids and the drills, but wished the clinic was longer. It’s really special (when
players) choose the military community to volunteer their time,” said Jarvis Pettaway, a human resources specialist
at the Air Force Personnel Center, Joint
Base San Antonio- Randolph.
The children of Chief Petty Officer Ferdinand Ajel, with the
Navy Recruiting District, San Antonio, said they enjoyed learning more about
playing defense. Alex, 13; Kalea, 11; and Noelani, 10; also said they had a
great time.
“It was nice. Everyone was so enthusiastic about it,” Alex
said.
The Spurs mascot, the Coyote, and members of the dance
squad, the Silver Dancers, added to the fun, enthusiastic atmosphere.
Jr. NBA is a free program that allows any existing youth
basketball league to receive discounts on uniforms and other youth basketball
resources as well as access to Jr. NBA events and opportunities, including NBA
player/legend appearances, grant funding and professional development for
coaches. Leagues can register at http://jr.nba.com. Registration opened Oct.
19.
The NBA is promoting the Jr. NBA to installation leagues as
part of a Commitment to Service initiative between the NBA and Department of
Defense, which focuses on having athletes and service members work together to
create a culture of service in their communities and promote healthy living,
successful life transitions and good leadership.
Air Force families can learn more about healthy living, to
include planning healthy meals and ways to get fit together at http://www.
usaffitfamily.com.