NBRPA to host Community Celebration, Youth Summit & Basketball Clinic at Oliver Bush Playground

The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), the only Association comprised of NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters and WNBA alumni, will be hosting a free community celebration, youth summit and youth basketball clinic at Oliver Bush Playground in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans on February 15, 2014 from noon to 4 p.m. as part of its NBA All-Star Weekend activities.  Supported by the global law firm Dentons, this very special philanthropic event is collaboration between the NBRPA, National Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL), National Urban League, Dillard University, the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission and the New Orleans City Council offices of James A. Gray and Stacy Head.
 
Details for this very special event are as follows:
 
WHO: More than 20 former NBA/ABA players, including Thurl Bailey (Utah Jazz), Rick Barry (Golden State Warriors), Otis Birdsong (New Jersey Nets), Willie Burton (Miami Heat), Harvey Catchings (Philadelphia 76ers/Milwaukee Bucks), Dwight Davis (Cleveland Cavaliers/Golden State Warriors), Bob Elliott (New Jersey Nets), Steve Hayes (Cleveland Cavaliers), Spencer Haywood (Seattle Supersonics/Los Angeles Lakers), La Rue Martin Jr. (Portland Trailblazers), Johnny Newman (Charlotte Hornets/Milwaukee Bucks), Eldridge Recasner (New Orleans native/Atlanta Hawks), Marvin Roberts (Denver Rockets/Los Angeles Lakers), George Tinsley (Kentucky Colonels/Washington Capitols), Sam Vincent (Chicago Bulls/Orlando Magic), Slick Watts (Xavier University of New Orleans/Seattle Supersonics) and Morlon Wiley (Orlando Magic/Dallas Mavericks)

WHAT: Free community lunch from McDonalds followed by a youth summit conducted by Dillard University and youth basketball clinic conducted by the NBRPA, PAL and National Urban League.

WHEN: February 15, 2014. Timing is as follows:
12-2 p.m. Community Celebration with lunch provided by McDonalds
2-3 p.m. Youth Summit conducted by Dillard University
3-4 p.m. Youth basketball clinic conducted by the NBRPA, PAL and National Urban League
 
WHERE: Oliver Bush Playground (2500 Caffin Ave., New Orleans, LA, 70117)
 

TO PARTICPATE: All events are free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Youngsters wishing to participate in the basketball clinic will need a parent or guardian, aged 18 or older, on-hand to sign a waiver form.
 
The basketball clinic is part of the NBRPA’s signature FULL COURT PRESS: Prep for Success program with PAL and the Urban League that focuses on developing youngsters both on and off the court. A very special media announcement related to this program will take place at Oliver Bush Playground just before the basketball clinic begins at 3 p.m.

Media wishing to cover the pre-clinic press event or the youth basketball and mentoring clinic on February 15 should contact Paul Corliss, NBRPA Vice President of Marketing & Communications, at 917-621-5744 or pcorliss@legendsofbasketball.com.
 
About the National Basketball Retired Players Association
The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is comprised of former professional basketball players from the NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters and WNBA. It is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization with a two-pronged mission to assist former NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters and WNBA players in their transition from the playing court into life after the game, while also positively impacting communities and youth through basketball. The NBRPA was founded in 1992 by basketball legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens and Oscar Robertson. The NBRPA works in direct partnerships with the NBA, National Basketball Players Association and WNBA. Arnie D. Fielkow is the President & CEO, and the NBRPA Board of Directors includes Chairman of the Board Otis Birdsong, Vice Chairman Thurl Bailey, Treasurer Marvin Roberts, Secretary Steve Hayes, Past Chairman Robert A. (Bob) Elliott, Past Chairman Dr. George W. Tinsley Sr., Rick Barry, Harvey Catchings, Spencer Haywood, La Rue Martin Jr. and Johnny Newman.
 
About the National Police Athletic League
The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities Leagues, Incorporated (National PAL) is a national youth crime prevention program that brings youth and law enforcement together in a positive environment that promotes trust and respect for each other. The "Mission" of National PAL and its member chapters work to prevent juvenile crime and violence by building the bond between cops and kids. National PAL exists to prevent juvenile crime and violence by providing civic, athletic, recreational and educational opportunities and resources to PAL Chapters. The PAL concept was developed in New York City, NY in 1914. From those successful origins the PAL concept spread, PAL programs developed in other communities. Today, there are over 400 PAL Chapters partnering with law enforcement agencies servicing over 700 cities and 1,700 facilities throughout the United States, including the U.S. Virgin Islands and Nigeria, serving more than one million youth, ages 5 to 18. PAL Alumni include sports greats, Muhammad Ali (Boxing), Larry Holmes (Boxing), Oscar Robertson (Basketball), Wilt Chamberlain (Basketball), J.R. Smith (Basketball), Larry Johnson (Basketball), Thomas "Satch" Sanders (Basketball), John Thompson (Basketball), General Colin Powell, Congressman Frank Wolf, and entertainers Billy Joel, Bill Cosby and Jimmy Smits.
 
About the National Urban League
The National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment in order to elevate the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities. Founded in 1910 and headquartered in New York City, the National Urban League spearheads the efforts of its local affiliates through the development of programs, public policy research and advocacy. Today, there are nearly 100 local affiliates in 36 states and the District of Columbia, providing direct services that impact and improve the lives of more than 2 million people nationwide.
 
About Dentons
Dentons is a global firm driven to provide a competitive edge in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. It was formed in March 2013 by the combination of international law firm Salans LLP, Canadian law firm Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP (FMC) and international law firm SNR Denton. Dentons is built on the solid foundations of these three highly valued law firms. Each built an outstanding reputation and valued clientele by responding to the local, regional and national needs of a broad spectrum of clients of all sizes—individuals; entrepreneurs; small businesses and startups; local, regional and national governments and government agencies; and mid-sized and larger private and public corporations, including international and global entities.

Dentons' clients now benefit from approximately 2,600 lawyers and professionals in more than 75 locations spanning 50-plus countries across Africa, Asia Pacific, Canada, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Russia and the CIS, the UK and the US who are committed to challenge the status quo and offer creative, dynamic business and legal solutions.
 
Contact
Paul Corliss
Vice President of Communications & Marketing
National Basketball Retired Players Association
917-621-5744 | pcorliss@legendsofbasketball.com