NBA supports Nellis

by Airman 1st Class Daniel Hughes
99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

7/23/2012 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The Nellis Warrior Fitness Center basketball court was packed to capacity with more than 100 if the base's youth awaiting the mentorship of six USA Basketball Legends during the Hoops for Troops event July 10, 2012.

Legends Lenny Wilkens, Gary Payton, Chris Mullin, Spencer Haywood, Jerome Williams and Teresa Edwards, engaged the youth and taught basketball techniques during a one-hour basketball clinic.

For Lenny Wilkens, the coach with the most wins in NBA history, the event provided an opportunity to make a positive impact on today's youth.

"These are legends who their parents might have talked about or saw on TV, but now they're actually out on the court with them -- it can only be positive," Wilkens said. "The Legends show the [children] that they care, that they do matter and that if they aspire, they can achieve anything they set their minds to."

Chris Mullin, a member of the 1992 USA Olympic Basketball team known as the "Dream Team," said for him, the experience has just as much of an impact on him as it does the military family members.

"I think it's nice to spend some time with the kids, share some ideas, see the kids smile, and spend some time with their families," said Mullin. "We just appreciate everything the military does for us. That's what it's really all about."

During the visit, USA Basketball Legends also taught the youth fundamentals of dribbling, rebounding, shooting and passing. Throughout the event, the Legends took the time to converse and interact with youth participants.

To show their appreciation, the NBA donated 30 basketballs to the Warrior Fitness Center, and the NBA Legends presented an autographed basketball to Maj. Gen. Bill Hyatt, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center commander.