The Washington Wizards aren’t among the leaders in any key statistical categories in the NBA, but they’re going to be No. 1 in assists in the District after handing out 29,000 basketballs.
The basketballs, along with “District Dribble” shirts, will be donated by the Wizards and Monumental Sports to encourage students at 80 elementary schools across the city to maintain an active lifestyle.
The basketball deliveries start on Thursday and continue for about two weeks. Representatives from Monumental, which owns the Wizards, Capitals and Mystics, said the 29,000 students would have their basketballs before spring break begins on April 14.
“Growing up in Brooklyn, I vividly remember the joy of receiving my first basketball and spending time at the courts in Sunset Park,” Ted Leonsis, Monumental’s founder and CEO, said in a statement. “Now our organization wants to ensure every child in D.C. has the same opportunity to experience the same benefits, no matter their background or where they live.”
Mr. Leonsis noted that every student at the District’s public elementary schools would receive a basketball featuring the Wizards’ colors and logo. They’d also receive a “District of Play” shirt, marking Monumental’s youth sports initiatives.
Most of the kids will grow with the balls — they’re NBA regulation-sized.
The campaign kicks off Thursday when Leonsis joins Mayor Muriel Bowser and several players from the Wizards and Mystics at the Browne Education Campus.
“When kids play sports, they gain confidence, build friendships, and develop lifelong skills like teamwork and perseverance,” Ms. Bowser said. “We know that being the Sports Capital isn’t just about our professional teams — it’s also about investing in our youth and making sports and recreation more accessible in our city.”
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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